Sisters dancer lights up the stage

Maggie Bidasolo was a shining star among the approximately 700 dancers at the Northwest Regional Starpower Competition at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland last weekend.

The Sisters sophomore took first place in her category for her solo dance, and third in her intermediate division. The achievement earned her a coveted invitation to an intensive week-long dance camp.

"I competed in three dances altogether," Bidasolo told The Nugget. "I had two group dances and a solo."

The group dances were performed with fellow dancers from the Vibe Dance Center in Bend and were jazz and hip-hop productions. The solo dance was "lyrical."

"You're telling a story," Bidasolo explained. "It's a combination of ballet and jazz, so it's more expressive."

The judges gave Bidasolo's solo dance five stars and a special "You Light Up the Stage" notation.

"I'm super excited about it," Bidasolo said.

The young Sisters dancer, who has a background in gymnastics, dances seven hours per week at Vibe. She finds artistic expression and release in dance.

"It really is an escape from all the dramas and pressures of real life," she said.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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