Bishop Amat Dance qualified for USA Nationals after their performance at the regional competition held at Downey High School on Saturday 1/25.
Competing in five categories, Amat Dance scored above the required 80 points needed, earning their qualification in each category to USA Nationals in two months. The USA Nationals competition will span three days, March 21-23, over the weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Captain Mikaelah Cruz shared her confidence with the team’s preparation for their performances.
“I’m feeling really good about all of our dances,” said Cruz. “We worked really hard to put them together during practice, so we are hoping we come out on top.”
The team ended up placing within the top three in each of their respective categories for the regional competition.
USA Regionals Results:
| Small Hip Hop | 1st |
| Medium Jazz | 1st |
| Large Hip Hop | 1st |
| Small Contemporary | 2nd |
| Character | 3rd |
Reflecting on the team’s performances, freshman Casey Gonzalez shared, “I feel like we did good. I feel like this was better than last time we did it and I feel like we have grown so much.”
The sentiment of growth has echoed throughout the team, specifically resonating with Head Coach Megan Glaudini, who is in her first year leading the Amat dance team.
“I think we have grown so much since the summer when we started all of our routines,” said coach Glaudini. “I think today honestly has been the peak–the best of the best so far, the best I have seen them [Amat Dance] dance.”
The team’s progress under her leadership has been exceptional, with the dancers holding her in high regard.
“I think it’s going well,” said sophomore Aidan ‘AJ’ Parayno. “All of our dances so far have been looking really well and I’m excited to see how the rest of the season is going to go.”
However, as a first year dancer on the Amat dance team, Parayno is feeling anxious about his own journey with the team in the future.
“I’m nervous for my years because I don’t know how it’s going to go but I’m excited to see how I’m going to progress in the future,” said Parayno.
Freshman Ava Carillo, one of only two freshmen to make varsity, is feeling optimistic for the future.
“I’m excited to see how much we improve as a team and see where it takes us,” said Carillo.
For some dancers, the experience of Amat dance has been transformative on a personal level. Junior Luis Villalon shares his experience with how Amat Dance helped him grow.
“Before I was kind of quiet but now I feel more comfortable with the team,” said Villalon.
As the season progresses, some seniors are beginning to reflect on their final year on the team. Amat dance captain and four-year varsity member Mikaelah Cruz is living in the moment and enjoying her time so far.
“It hasn’t hit me yet that it is my last year dancing because I have been dancing for so long,” said Cruz. “I’m pretty sure at the spring concert, which is the last time I will ever dance on a stage, it will really hit me, but so far it’s really fun.”
With their qualification to USA Nationals in two months, the dance team continues to refine and perfect their routines during practice.
The team hopes to carry forward this momentum and build off their recent success.
The next competition Bishop Amat Dance will participate in is Riverside Poly CATDT on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Chino Hills High School.
