Southeast Iowa dancers win national title

Two girls from a Fairfield dance studio brought home top honors at a national dance competition this summer.

Sofia Hobbs of Keosauqua and Libby Ferrel of Fairfield won the divisional National Champion title at the Symposium Talent Contest held July 8-11 in Branson, Missouri, for their musical theater duet titled, “When You’re Good to Mama.”

Their routine received accolades for being first in its category, the highest scoring routine in their age group, fourth highest scoring routine of the day in their division and was chosen as a grand finalist.

The two girls are members of High Temperature Dance Academy in Fairfield, owned by Tympest Hora. Hora said she was amazed to see the girls earn such high honors at the national competition.

“These kids deserve it more than anyone, and it was so awesome to see their hard work pay off,” Hora said. “They're incredible dancers, as well as very bright young women, but this year our team and these kids were thrown some serious curve balls regarding the pandemic.”

Hora said she felt such pride as their instructor seeing Sofia and Libby remain more motivated than ever and pushing through the tough times.

“These are the highest placements that our studio has ever received, and it was only our first time competing at nationals,” Hora said.

In addition to her duet, Sofia performed three solos where she received first in the category for her contemporary piece, second in the category for her musical theater, and third in the category for her lyrical performance.

Her contemporary piece earned the honor of highest scoring solo for her age group, second overall, and second highest scoring routine of the day in her division. She was given a special judge’s scholarship to attend an intensive dance convention this fall.

Both Sofia and Libby competed with other dancers from their team in two small group performances. These group pieces each earned first in their category. The open style routine received second overall and was a judge’s choice recipient for dynamite detail. The jazz routine received first overall and was a Grand Finalist.

High Temperature Dance Academy sent six dancers to participate in the Diamond Dancer Showcase during nationals. Those dancers, Sofia Hobbs, Chayse Gilchrist, Lily Fenton, Chloe Johnon, Layla Terrell and Leia Hampton, learned additional choreography provided by Symposium Talent before attending nationals.

At nationals, they worked on the routine with other dancers from various states before performing it during a video shoot and live on stage during the showcase.

Hora said the number of dancers from her academy in the Diamond Dancer Showcase was among the highest of any dance studio.

“Most studios had two or three [performers], so we took great pride in that,” Hora said.

Twelve dancers from High Temperature Dance Academy participated in 14 routines.