Ovation Announces Winners in National "ONE DANCE. ONE CHANCE." Grant-Giving Competition

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With over 108 entries, 23 semi-finalists and close to 110,000 viewer votes, it all came down to one grand prize winning dance ensemble, five finalist groups and one Viewer's Choice in Ovation's "ONE DANCE. ONE CHANCE." Grant-giving competition.  Full contest results are as follows:

GRAND PRIZE WINNER
The Juilliard Dance Ensemble (New York, NY)
Teacher:  Lawrence Rhodes – Artistic Director, Dance
PRIZE:  The Grand Prize Winner's Submission will be showcased in a 30 second spot on the Ovation television network and will receive a $10,000 cash grant for their school.

FINALIST - ODC/Dance (San Francisco, CA)
Teacher:  David Coffman – Production Manager
PRIZE:  $1,000 cash grant for their school.

FINALIST - Senior Company/Look Don't Touch (Orem, UT)
Teacher:  Sheryl Dowling – Studio Director
PRIZE:  $1,000 cash grant for their school.

FINALIST - Allegro Performance Companies (Glenview, IL)
Teacher:  Krissie Odegard Geye
PRIZE:  $1,000 cash grant for their school.

FINALIST - Danceworks (Jacksonville, FL)
Teacher:  Talani Torres – Assistant Professor of Dance
PRIZE:  $1,000 cash grant for their school.

FINALIST - COCAdance  (St. Louis, MO)
Teacher:  Christine Kardell – Pre Professional Division Coordinator
PRIZE:  $1,000 cash grant for their school.

VIEWERS' CHOICE
BHS Orchesis (Barrington, IL)
Teacher:  Julie Salk – Chair Fine Arts
PRIZE:  $1,000 cash grant for their school.

All of the "ONE DANCE. ONE CHANCE." winning videos can be viewed at www.ovationtv.com/dancecontest.

The competition, which was launched last August, invited US dance groups, classes, ensembles, troupes and crews with students ages 13 and up to submit video of their recent dance performances for a chance to win a scholarship and national television exposure. 

A panel of accredited dance teachers chose the semi-finalists.  The judges in the final round of voting were Jacqulyn Buglisi, Artistic Director, Buglisi Dance Theatre and DanceUSA Broad of Trustees member; Courtney Galiano, former contestant and all-star for "So You Think You Can Dance"; and Rachel S. Moore, Executive Director, American Ballet Theatre. The Viewers' Choice voting ran from January 18 to February 1 on ovationtv.com/dancecontest and generated close to 110,000 votes.

About Ovation:

Ovation is the only multi-platform network celebrating art, artists and all forms of artistic story-telling.  Its programming tells the stories of artists, their work, and the powerful impact art has on each of us.  Ovation programming is a one-of-a-kind mix of original and selectively curated series, films, documentaries and specials.  The network reaches a national audience of 48 million homes and is available on cable systems across the country, as well as nationally on DIRECTV, Dish and Verizon FiOS. Ovation is also available in HD and VOD (both in standard and high definition).  Ovation extends its linear channel experience for viewers online via its popular website, www.ovationtv.com.  In addition to offering contests, trivia, facts and supplemental video online, the network has created an award-winning online community (www.ovationtv.com/community) for everyone from passionate artists to the curious.  To date, over 190,000 pieces of original art have been uploaded to the site by members.

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SOURCE Ovation