Four young Wilton dancers, members of the Fleur de Lis Dance Company, participated in the American Academy of Ballet Performance Awards held at the Fleur de Lis Dance studios in Wilton on March 26, and received recognition for their performances. While the American Academy of Ballet holds its prestigious performance awards program around the world each year, this was the only one in Fairfield County.
The director of the American Academy of Ballet, Simon Furman, personally judged the participating dancers, who performed a series of solo choreographic compositions.
“Unlike the very commercial and competitive dance competitions that have cropped up recently, the American Academy of Ballet Performance Awards focuses on enhancing dancers’ technique and performance skills and challenges them to reach their personal best in a supportive and non-competitive environment,” explained Michelle Sperry, owner of the Fleur de Lis Dance Academy and Dance Company.
Wilton dancers Abigail Coughlin, Alexa Tarantino and Anna Coughlin received silver medals with distinction, and Esha Iyengar received a gold medal.