- April 25, 2024
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Palm Coast’s 3’N Motion dance studio placed eighth and ninth this month at the Sarbound Nationals, held in Orlando.
In the solo category, the studio received an Elite Gold with a musical theather piece performed by Gabriella Barton, who also placed fourth overall under the competitive division against more than 100 solo performances.
Competition included 47 studios from New York to Miami, with 880 dance entries. Out of the 18 girls at 3’N Motion, all but six had never competed before.
“We were the smallest group competing,” said Aurie Barton, who co-owns the studio with her sisters, Liza Kirwin and Marie Martinez. “There were teams there that had 40-plus students, with 20 to 30 numbers per group. We went with seven numbers, and three made it into the top 10.”
The team consists of girls between the ages of 6 and 18. This year, the team is losing three seniors: Kelly Bender, Devin Harkins and Sam Wellnitz.
The new 2011-2012 team will be selected Aug. 15, and practices will begin shortly thereafter.
“We know what we are up against now,” Aurie Barton said. “Nationals was a great eye-opener for us. The level of dancing was outstanding, and we are honored to be placed in that same category.”
The current team dancers are busy taking intensive classes in ballet, jazz and conditioning.
“We are starting this year’s training with major conditioning classes for the girls,” Barton said. “We feel this will strengthen the girls technically.”
Visit www.3nmotion.com.
