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The Stewart Dance School Fusion Dance Team started their 2026 competition season at Dance Makers in Lansing, Mich., racking up a string of first-place finishes, high scores, special judges’ awards and even national scholarships.
Dancers of all ages brought energy, precision and flair to the stage, dominating in multiple styles and age groups throughout the weekend, according to a news release from the dance school.
Leading the charge was the Senior Contemporary routine “From Now On,” which earned a High First Place with a score of 96.27 out of 100 and was also named the Senior Line Director’s Pick. The Junior Contemporary dance “Happy Together” grabbed First Place and the Junior High Score, while the Teen Hip Hop number “Rich Girl” took home a High Second Place along with a Director’s Pick award.
Other performances included “Fabulous,” which earned First Place, a Style High Score, and a Director’s Pick, “Wake Me Up,” which won First Place and a Judges Pick, and “Be Our Guest,” which took First Place and a Style High Score.
Additional First Place routines included “Grows Old,” “Bye Bye Bye,” “Zero to Hero,” “Long Cool Woman,” “Golden Years,” “Yellow” — which also earned a Director’s Pick — and “Step Up Mix.” Several more dances, including “Indigo,” “Anything You Can Do I Can De Better,” “California Dreamin’,” “Good Vibrations,” “Ends of the Earth,” “I Am Not Who I Was,” “Way Down Hadestown,” and “Find Your People,” earned High Second Place awards, with “Find Your People” also receiving a Judges Pick, according to the release.
Two dancers, Elora Chaney and Elle Wood, were recognized with scholarships to nationals.
Some members of the Fusion team will also compete at the Platinum National Dance Competition and the Nexstar National Dance Competition later this season. The entire team will wrap up their 2026 season at the In10sity Dance Competition in Fort Wayne in May.
Fans can also catch their performances at the Stewart Dance School annual productions at the Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center in June, with shows scheduled for June 6, 12 and 13.
For more information about the Fusion Dance Team or classes at Stewart Dance School, visit www.stewartdanceschool.com or call 574-658-9875.
