Lee Anne Stewart Dance School’s Fusion Dance Team Shines, Prepares for Annual Production

From left to right, Row 1: Jenna Bucher, Aja Blasio, Chloe Kim, Mady Hostetler, Ella Hostetler, Kallie Meister, Alayna Miller, Scarlett Cook, Lyndi Tenney; Row 2: Eliana Diaz, Zariya Buchan, Hadlea Bragg, Lexi Stutzman, Marlie Walcott, Jada Bucher, Charlee Nine, London Hoffman, Raelynn Laney, Ellianna Hyden, Lola Borntrager, Aspen Geyer, Lillian Schutz, Hailey Panelli; Row 3: Evelyn Zebell, Elizabeth Anderson, Imilia Gonzalez, Ivanna Gonzalez, Brooke Aleman, Cobie Rodriguez, Jazmyn Taylor, Gabby Faurote, Lily Shoemaker, Lily Chaney, Bria Mickely, Elle Wood, Chanel Bradford; Row 4: Hayden Stanley, Scarlett Walters, Addie Powell, Kylie Bradley, Kate Shoemaker, Elora Chaney. Photo provided by Lee Anne Stewart Dance School.
News Release
SYRACUSE — The Fusion Dance Team from Lee Anne Stewart Dance School delivered an outstanding performance at the In10sity Dance Competition held in Fort Wayne Thursday, May 8 through Sunday, May 11, competing in more than 20 routines, including solos, duets, group numbers, and large productions.
The team brought home a number of awards. Most routines earned Platinum recognition, with several scoring Intense Platinum — the competition’s highest distinction. Soloist Chloe Kim ranked in the top 10 of her age category. Alayna Miller received the “Perfect Precision” award for her contemporary solo.
Of group routines, “Because We Can” achieved third overall,“Sitting Waiting Wishing” received fifth overall and “Shake Your Groove Thing” was awarded sixth overall. The piece “Jumpin’ Jumpin'” earned the “Perfect Precision” award for its technical excellence and synchronicity.
The team’s large production, “Seize the Day,” featuring all Fusion Dance Team members, was awarded Best of Production and a special Adjudication Award, recognizing it as a standout among all large group numbers.
Many of the award-winning performances will be featured in the school’s 52nd Annual Dance Production, titled “Verbology,” where each routine corresponds to a song with at least one verb in its title.
“All of the dancers have been spending so much time polishing their performances, and I am very excited to see their hard work shine on stage,” said Lee Anne Stewart, owner and operator of the dance schools.
The 2025 recital will take place at the Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center with the following showtimes:
- 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 7
- 7 p.m. Friday, June 13
- 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 14
Tickets are priced between $15–$17 and are available online.
As June approaches, it also marks the close of Stewart’s 52nd year of teaching dance in the greater Wawasee area. Since opening a second studio in Nappanee in 1996, the school now serves students from Syracuse, Goshen, Leesburg, Warsaw, Bremen, Winona Lake, Claypool, Plymouth and beyond.
Audiences can look forward to performances of songs such as “Got to Get You Into My Life,” “Smile,” “Stand By Me,” and “Sleep on the Floor.” During the recitals, nearly 60 students will be recognized for completing five, 10, and 15 years of dance classes at Lee Anne Stewart Dance School.
“Each year of dance completed is so exciting, but what an accomplishment it is when a dancer reaches one of these milestones — especially those who have danced with me for 15 years!” Stewart added.
Enrollment and Contact Information:
Information on summer programs, fall enrollment, and class offerings is available at stewartdanceschool.com or by calling (877) 658-9875.
Classes are available for students aged two through adult in pre-ballet, ballet, contemporary, jazz, jazz-funk, tap, pointe and hip hop. Monthly themed pre-school classes are available for students ages two and a half to four and a half, and technique-focused specialty classes for students 12 and up are offered throughout the year.
The Lee Anne Stewart Dance Schools are located just south of Syracuse on CR 300E. The other location is on the third floor of Main Street Suites in Nappanee.