Blenheim’s Own Taylor’s Dance Academy Celebrates Success at the Regional Glow Dance Competition

Written By Andrew Tompsett

Taylor’s Dance Academy (TDA) dancers delivered an award-winning performance at the Glow Dance Competition held on April 9 to 12, 2026 in St. Catharines, Ontario. The team earned numerous placements, special awards, and adjudicators’ choice recognitions which highlighted the dancers’ dedication to artistry and hard work.

The TDA team received two Afterglow awards, 19 Platinum Plus awards, and 16 Platinum awards. A standout moment of the weekend was the full-team performance of a dance titled Welcome to Bikini Bottom which was awarded Top Production of the weekend and the special award Sparkle + Shine. The performance, which was choreographed by Taylor Nethery and Mackenna Lyons, received praise from the adjudicator panel for its captivating energy, seamless costume and prop transitions, and the joy radiating from every dancer. 

“It was such an honour to hear the judge’s feedback and tell the entire team that the performance made a strong connection with both themselves and the audience members,” said Taylor Nethery, Owner/Director of Taylor’s Dance Academy. “Our dancers are competing with studios from across the province and are making a name for themselves.”

In addition to full team performances receiving top marks, many individual, duo, and group performances also received top accolades. Two examples of this include performances called Depth Over Distance and Unsteady. 

Depth Over Distance is a crystal teen contemporary group piece which received an Afterglow award 1st overall, and the special award Trustworthy Team. The performance was recognized for its strong visual impact, impressive partner work, and deep sense of trust and unity among dancers.

Unsteady is a contemporary duo, performed by Kenzie and Konner Ramsden, which earned a Platinum Plus award 2nd overall in the crystal teen duo/trio category and received the special award Unified Connection. The performance was praised for its emotional depth and strong partner work.

“I choreographed these two pieces to highlight the strengths and skills of the dancers, knowing that they were willing to learn new moves and build on the strong foundation they have been developing,” said Nethery. “It is important for our teachers to work closely with our dancers to know what they are comfortable with, what boundaries they feel they can push when it comes to improving a dance, and also making sure that they are having fun.”

Nethery added, “Fun is at the core of what we do. Yes, each student is working really hard and wants to do their best, but if something isn’t fun, then we talk about it and see what can work.”

Additional group achievements included:

  • Psycho Killer (crystal junior small group, choreographed by Miss Mackenna): Platinum and 3rd overall

  • Crown (crystal teen hip hop small group, choreographed by Miss Taylor): Platinum Plus and 2nd overall

  • Turtle Power (sapphire pre-junior hip hop small group, choreographed by Miss Taylor): Platinum, & Adjudicators’ Choice – “Artistic Edge”

  • Hugging You (sapphire pre-junior contemporary small group, choreographed by Miss Mackenna): platinum plus, & Adjudicators’ Choice – “Outstanding Performance”

  • Battle of the Bands (adult musical theatre small group, choreographed by Miss Taylor): Afterglow, & Adjudicators’ Choice – “Artistic Edge”

In duet/trio and solo performances, dancers continued to excel:

  • Ella Bogaert and Lexie McLauchlin – Heal (lyrical duo, choreographed by Miss Mackenna): Platinum Plus and Adjudicators’ Choice – “Heartfelt Performance”

  • Grey Robinson-Martin – Put It On Me (acro solo, choreographed by Miss Taylor): Platinum Plus, 1st overall crystal senior solo, $150 scholarship to Amplify Dance Lab, and Adjudicators’ Choice – “Outstanding Performance”

  • Konner Ramsden – Let ’Em Go (acro solo, choreographed by Miss Taylor): Platinum Plus and 8th overall crystal senior solo

  • Lexie McLauchlin – What U Workin’ With (open solo, choreographed by Miss Taylor): Platinum and 3rd overall emerald teen solo

  • Kenzie Ramsden – Oceans (lyrical solo, choreographed by Miss Taylor): Platinum Plus and 1st overall emerald teen solo

  • Kyla O’Connor – Showstoppa (jazz solo, choreographed by Miss Taylor): Platinum Plus and 3rd overall emerald junior solo

  • Kinsley Robinson-Martin – Kinsley’s Lullaby (lyrical solo, choreographed by Miss Mackenna): Platinum Plus, 8th overall emerald pre-junior solo, and Adjudicators’ Choice – “Heartfelt Performance”

  • Lucy Dauphin – Unstill (open solo, choreographed by Miss Mackenna): Platinum Plus and 6th overall emerald pre-junior solo

  • Aly Walter – Lost Boy (lyrical solo, choreographed by Miss Mackenna): Platinum and 8th overall emerald mini solo

  • Everly Caryn – Welcome to Wonderland (acro solo, choreographed by Miss Taylor): Platinum Plus and 9th overall sapphire mini solo

  • Sage Myers – Walkin’ on Sunshine (tap solo, choreographed by Miss Taylor): Platinum Plus and 2nd overall emerald mini solo

“I’m incredibly proud of all our performers for their commitment, teamwork, and passion on stage,” said Nethery. “Their achievements at this competition reflect not only technical excellence but also a strong sense of artistry and community within the studio.

In addition to having success at the Glow Dance Competition, TDA is also very proud to have received the Studio Spirit Award earlier this year from The Dance Rage competition. This award is determined through votes submitted by fellow competing studios, recognizing the team that best demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship, respect, and kindness throughout the weekend. 

“It is an honour to receive this distinction because it’s voted on by our peers. It means that our competitive dance team is showing to others that they prioritize positivity, teamwork, and enjoyment both on and off the stage,” said Nethery.

The TDA competitive team was also awarded 3rd Overall Competitive Level 1 Studio of the Weekend. This achievement is based on the average scores of each studio’s top 10 routines. Competing against 16 other studios, TDA earned the third-highest overall average score, further highlighting the strength and consistency of their performances.

To learn more about the TDA competitive team and also recreational programs, visit www.taylorsdanceacademy.ca.

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The competitive dance team from Taylor’s Dance Academy showing off just a few of the many awards and trophies they have been winning this season. This group from Blenheim, Ontario is making a name for themselves on the competitive circuit.

Additional

  • Scoring details:

    • Afterglow awards are for dances that score 97+

    • 19 Platinum Plus awards are for dances that score 92–96.99

    • 16 Platinum awards are for dances that score 87–91.99

  • Additional award information 

    • In the sapphire minis all group category, the lyrical group A Million Dreams, also choreographed by Miss Taylor, earned a Platinum award and the special award “Full of Passion.” Despite being a group of five, the dancers filled the stage with strong presence, beautifully extended lines, and full commitment to their movement.

    • Lucy Dauphin and Abigail Chartier performed their sapphire mini acro duet, Besties, choreographed by Miss Taylor, earning a Platinum award and the special award “Shining Smiles.” Their infectious energy and genuine joy captivated the audience from start to finish.

    • The sapphire open line Waves, featuring 16 dancers and choreographed by Miss Taylor, earned 3rd overall, a Platinum Plus award, and an Adjudicators’ Choice Award (“Artistic Edge”).

  • TDA social media

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Andrew Tompsett
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2026 Glow - Competitive Team Results (April 10, 2026)