It turned out to be quite the summer for Landon Spurbeck of Kent’s Allegro Performing Arts Academy.
Spurbeck, 15, was named the Teen National Maximum Velocity Artist at the Velocity Dance Convention in July, a week-long national dance competition in Las Vegas.
Spurbeck earned the national title by getting the highest accumulated score of his solo performance, a jazz audition as well as a ballet audition, according to a Sept. 29 press release from Allegro Performing Arts Academy.
He participated in many classes at the convention with nationally recognized teachers such as Whitney Bezzant and Marguerite Derricks. He also participated in a performance with pop star Todrick Hall. Velocity is considered one of the nation’s most competitive national dance competitions in the country.
A student at Allegro for 12 years, Spurbeck won other titles earlier in his career including top 3 Intermediate Male in 2019 at Hollywood Vibe Dance Convention nationals; first runner-up Junior Male in 2018 at Velocity; and won Mini Male Elite dancer in 2014 at West Coast Dance Explosion Competition.
Spurbeck certainly appreciates his latest honor.
“Winning this title to me is so much more than just a title,” Spurbeck said. “It is a reflection of the progress that I have made and how far I have come. If you told me a year ago today that I won a national title, most likely, I would not believe you.
“This past year I have put in so much work to achieve this goal of mine that I have had for forever. I am so grateful to receive this opportunity.”
The solo that Spurbeck performed to help earn the title is a piece titled “Enemy.” It is a lyrical/contemporary piece that exhibits his technical skill, strength as well as his amazing style and passion for dance. The piece was choreographed by Patrick Pulkrabek, who has choreographed for Spurbeck for many years.
Spurbeck, a sophomore at Sumner High School, has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, tap, tumbling and hip-hop at Allegro Performing Arts Academy since he was 3.
All of his teachers are extremely proud of him and many were in the audience when the results were announced. Directors Tiffany Brooks and Pulkrabek were there as well as owner Tonya Goodwillie and longtime teachers Ricki-Lyn Coppock and Sara Palmer.
“Allegro is not only proud of him as a dancer but as an incredible young man that is dedicated, supportive of his teammates as well as being incredibly respectful and humble,” Goodwillie said.
Other Allegro dancers earned many high placements at the Las Vegas competition, including Lidia Plenkovich first runner up Mini female MVA and Chloe Onaga second runner up Teen female MVA.
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