Ballet Society of Colorado Springs dancers, ages 13-18

The Ballet Society of Colorado Springs scored more awards than any studio at two recent competitions.

At the Esther Geoffrey Dance Scholarship competition in February, hosted by the Colorado Springs Dance Theatre, students of the ballet society earned three of five possible awards.

In March at the Denver Ballet Guild Young Dancers Competition, ballet society dancers won eight of 37 possible awards.

The eight dancers with the ballet society who won awards are:

Tyler Gum, 18, of Falcon won a $2,000 scholarship from the Denver guild as first-place winner in the senior men's division.
Tyler also won in the Youth America Grand Prix semifinals in Denver: first place in classical ballet, and second in contemporary dance in the senior men's division. Tyler will travel to New York City this month to compete in the YAGP nationals.
During summer, he plans to attend the Joffrey Summer Intensive program for three weeks in New York City, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet School Summer Intensive for five weeks, both on full scholarship.

Joshua Allenback, 16, of Pueblo won a $250 scholarship at the Esther Geoffrey Competition, and a $1,500 scholarship from the Denver Ballet Guild, where he earned second place in the senior men's division.
Joshua has been dancing with the ballet society for the past year and a half and plans to attend the Joffrey Ballet School Summer Intensive program in New York City on scholarship this summer.

Julianna Bicki, 17, of Monument took away a $500 scholarship in the Esther Geoffrey competition, and a $500 scholarship from the Denver guild after winning fifth place in the senior women's division.
Julianna has been studying for three years with the ballet society and Colorado's Classical Youth Ballet. She is currently auditioning for a spot in a professional dance company for the 2009-10 season.

Paige Hupy, 17, of Colorado Springs earned a $250 scholarship from the Denver guild as a finalist in the senior women's division, and won a $100 scholarship in the Esther Geoffrey competition. The Air Academy High School junior will attend Juilliard Summer Dance Intensive in New York City this summer.

Charlotte Coltrin, 13, was one of 10 finalists in the junior girls' division at the Denver guild event. She earned a $200 scholarship.
Charlotte, a home-schooled student from the Wolf Ranch area of Colorado Springs, has been dancing for six years with the ballet society, and five years with the youth ballet.

Hillary MacPhee, 17, won a $250 scholarship from the Denver Ballet Guild as a finalist in the senior women's division. The home-schooler from the Stetson Hills area has been dancing for 7 ½ years with the ballet society and the youth ballet.

Mariah Plutt, 15, got a $200 scholarship from the Denver guild as a finalist in the junior girls' division. She's been dancing with the ballet society and youth ballet for four years.

Amanda Townley, 13, of Woodland Park earned a $200 scholarship from the Denver guild as a finalist in the junior girls' division. Amanda has been with the ballet society and youth ballet for a year.

The Ballet Society of Colorado Springs was founded in 1997 and offers training in classical ballet, contemporary dance, tap, worship dance and Pilates for kids and adults. The studio launched Colorado's Classical Youth Ballet Co. in 2003.

You can see the dancers perform in "Coppelia" at 3 and 7 p.m. May 16 at Rampart High School Theatre. Get details about the dance studios and other performances at danceinthesprings.com or coclassicalyouthballet.com.