Young Westchase Dancers Are True Showstoppers

Jennifer Dawson’s students are following in her footsteps – literally and figuratively. 

The Clearwater native, who has danced her entire life, founded the in 2006.  But she’s not just the owner.  She’s the primary instructor at this Westchase performing arts center, boasting curriculum in dance, theater and voice. 

Dawson and a dozen and a half of her hand-picked female students will head to Lakeland for the annual Showstoppers Regional Competition later this month. The competition, which is from April 29 - May 1,  will take place at the Lakeland Civic Center. The event attracts dancers from the entire Southeast.  Dawson Academy will be participating in the advance level matchup. 

“I chose Showstoppers because that’s a competition I participated in when I was younger," Dawson said. "It’s quite prestigious and well-known, and I wanted the girls to have the full experience."

Dawson said the girls will perform two jazz (the team’s strongest genre) and one “street sassy” hip hop routine, choreographed by instructor Rachael Lyon.  In addition to weekly training in ballet, tap, jazz, and acrobatics, the group also works on their choreography every Sunday. 

The students don’t seem to mind dedicating the extra hours to their craft. 

“Dance is everything to her.  She’ll dance anywhere, anytime – even through the aisles of Target," said Linda Lelekacs of her eight-year-old daughter Hope, who has been a Dawson student from its opening five years ago.

Beth Romano has also been bringing her nine-year-old daughter Carly since the academy opened as well.

Over the years dance has built up her once shy daughter’s confidence level, Romano said.

“She has just blossomed in every aspect of her life since coming here," the mom said. "She’s not afraid to speak up in school; this has been such a great experience in so many ways.”