The annual finale of the Best World Dance Group competition, held for the first time in the sports hall in Příbram, featured excellent performances by the participants. Fair judgment by the honorable jury, audience support, and a wonderful atmosphere were all part of the tradition of this competition.
Jury composition:
- Ivan Popov, former principal soloist of Ballet and master of NdB.
- Andrea Popov Smejkalová, principal soloist of Ballet NdB.
- Kateřina Radinová, folk artist from Ukraine and now a dance conservatory teacher.
The jury was impressed with many of the participants’ numbers and awarded almost every category with 10 points. It is true that every number that received 10 points from the numerous jury was exceptionally performed at a high professional level; this is what is called art and the reason we hold the entire competition. In total, 7 age categories and 9 nominations were presented in the competition.
In the 6-9 years category, children: An incredible 10 points and the category winner prize were awarded to the Contemporary nomination performed by ZUŠ Kralupy nad Vltavou with the choreography by Barbora Purnochová “Starry Sky”. In the folk nomination “Story of Foxes and Chicks” they received 9.67 points and in the Show Dance category “Hey Mickey” by choreographer Strelchenka Rímmý they received 9 points.
In the 10-12 years category, juniors: The highest score of 10 points was awarded to the Charakterní tanec nominations, with two choreographies: From the group Lentilky, the choreography “Show Emotion” by Alžběta Nováková and “Wake Me Up” by Nikola Menzlová. In the Contemporary nomination, the highest score of 10 points was awarded to Klára Pešková with the number “Can’t Wait to See You Shine” by choreographer Lenka Zahálková.
In the 13-15 years category, teens: The highest score of 10 points was awarded to: Category winner – Contemporary nomination group Hb dance with the choreography “Right Now” by Lenka Zahálková. Winner of the Charakterní tanec nomination Duo Sára Lowrie and Kateřina Hurtová with the choreography “Violin Duet” by Lenka Hecklová. Winner of the Street Dance nomination, Duo Lucie Dlouhá and Natálie, choreographer Kateřina Netřebská Kůhnelová.
In the 16-19 years category, elite: 10 points and the category winner was awarded to the Charakterní tanec nomination group Lentilky with the choreography “Birthday” by choreographers Petra Truhlářová and Nikola Menzlová. For this choreography, the jury wanted to award the prize for Best Choreography of Spring 2024. The Irish Step nomination group Lentilky with the choreography “Joy”, choreographer Nikola Menzlová.
In the 20-25 years category, adult: 10 points were awarded to the Contemporary nomination Veronika Džiková with the choreography “Alligator Teeth”, choreographer Simona Křenková.
In the Mix Age category: The jury was impressed by the very interesting choreography of the Show Dance nomination TS Vlna with the choreography “Ivana-Kupala” by choreographer Olena Sychyk, but unfortunately, it was not performed at the corresponding level and received only 8.67 points. The winner of the Mix Age category was the Show Dance nomination with the choreography “Rhapsody in Blue” by choreographers Simona and Sylva Křenková, and the jury gave a standing ovation. The winning 10 points were awarded to the Contemporary nomination with the choreography “Stand Up” by Simona Křenková and Ballet with the choreography “Tears of the Sun” by Simona and Sylva Křenková.
The impossible happened: debutants of the Freedom competition group with the nomination Expressive Dance with the choreography “Manifest” by choreographer Olena Sychyk moved the jury and audience: tears, goosebumps, long applause, and shouts of “Bravo” decided the Grand Prize for “Best Choreography Best World Dance Group” Spring 2024 season. The Grand Prix was won by the ZUŠ Žerotín group under the leadership of choreographers Simona and Sylvie Křenková. The festive award ceremony included a festival cake, with which the organizers invited to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Best World Dance Group 2024 competition.
The organizers of the Best World Dance Group competition congratulate the winners, all participants, choreographers, and parents who have such talented children. We wish the winners of 2023 a successful performance at the “Sympathy of Euro Parks 2024” festival in Disneyland. The Lentilky group from the Czech Republic and the Ayas group from Armenia look forward to more successes.
The competition results are available at WhatsApp.