1of3Taking a break from their busy schedule to pose for a photo are from left to right, front, Audrey Richards and Camryn Woodin of Kent, Melody Bard of New Milford and Starrs' Studio of Dance director Starr Jeffreys of Kent; second row, Katrina Nordland and Kara Franks of Kent and Samantha Tripler of New Milford; third row, Brayden Tripler and Kendall Williams of New Milford, Leah Grill of Sherman, and Caitlyn Chemero and Shannon Palmer of New Milford; fourth row, Aiyana Miller, Winnie Zhang and Hannah Richards of Kent, and Brie Hatzmann of New Milford; fifth row, Alyssa Svinte and Erin Lewis of Sherman, and Kayleigh Rafferty of New Milford; and in back, standing, Chloe Chemero and Sheah Tooley of New Milford.
Courtesy of Starr's Studio of DanceContributed PhotoShow MoreShow Less2of3Posing with two stilt walkers from Disney WorldâÄôs Electrical Parade are, from left to right, in front, Luke Williams of New Milford, Audrey Richards of Kent, and Samantha Tripler, Melody Bard and Katrina Nordland of New Milford, and second row; Kayleigh Rafferty, Chloe Chemero and Sheah Tooley of New Milford, Leah Grill of Sherman, Kendall Williams and Brayden Tripler of New Milford, Alyssa Svinte of Sherman, Caitlyn Chemero, Erin Lewis and Brie Hatzmann of New Milford, Hannah Richards and Aiyana Miller of Kent, and Shannon Palmer of New Milford, all of Starr's Studio of Dance.
Courtesy of Starr's Studio of DanceContributed PhotoShow MoreShow Less
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Dancers from Greater New Milford recently took center stage at Disney World in Florida.
Girls from Starr's Studio of Dance, based in Kent, participated June 29 through July 3 in "Dance of the World" as part of Disney's night-time electrical parade.
Only a few studios from each state in the United States, Canada and Mexico were chosen.
Upon arrival to Disney World, \Starr's students began a five-hour rehearsal with Disney's cast and crew for the electrical parade performance with more than 4,000 dancers from around the world.
"It was a magical experience," said Starr Jeffreys, Starr's Studio of Dance founding instructor/choreographer, "to see the kids dance towards the castle and see their faces light up in a way I've never seen before."
"People were cheering," she said, "and so excited to see the dancers dance six songs straight through the park."
The following day, seven of the younger dancers showcased their talents in Hollywood Studio's electrical parade.
The final day, dancers performed two studio choreographed pieces, a performance followed by a team from Canada.
A gala for dancers and their families concluded the festivities, with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy on hand, and a VIP fireworks display.
"The VIP fireworks ... made the experience so much bigger," Jeffreys said, "and in that moment, the kids realized how special of an event this truly was."
