Provo High Ballroom Dancers Take Second at BYU Dancesport Championships

December 2nd, 2024 /
Spencer Tuinei /
News, Provo High, Schools, Secondary Schools

It’s easy to watch a dance performance and assume that such abstract, performative qualities of a great dancer as grace, strength, and agility are, in some way, innate and natural. The reality is that each step on the floor is a story told twice—once in practice, where mistakes shape the rhythm, and again in performance, where hours of repetition disappear into seemingly effortless grace.

Marked by hours of toil and sweat, Provo High School’s ballroom dance team brought the best versions of themselves and their performances, earning second place in the Utah Team Match competition at the BYU DanceSport Championship.

Dancesport, a blend of ballroom dance and athletic competition, combines teams and individuals to showcase precision, artistry, and endurance. And Provo High had all three in spades.

The eight dancers representing Provo—Rodrigo Diaz, Annie Grover, Tyler Garcia, Mary Williams, Ian Mar, Aleksandra Repina, Michael Arias, and Raquel Clegg—performed with energy and technical skill that stood out among the field.

Tyler Garcia and Key Crandall also placed sixth in the Adult Pre-Champ American Rhythm category, and Aaron Bustos and Berklee Sharpe earned third in the high school quickstep event.

“This milestone highlights the hard work, dedication, and talent of our amazing dancers and coaches,” said Colin Bliss, Provo High’s Ballroom Dance Director. “These dancers were specifically chosen to perform because of their hard work, precision, and artistry.”

Bliss, who also serves as Provo High’s Health and PE Department Chair, has helped the ballroom program grow into a formidable presence in the competitive Dancesport world, and we invite you to come watch the performances that Bliss and our students have worked hard to craft in their upcoming Winter Concert.

Experience the energy, skill, and artistry that propelled Provo High’s team to succeed at the Provo High Ballroom Winter Concert on December 12th and 13th at 7:00 PM. he event will feature their award-winning routines alongside new performances created for the season.

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the culmination of months of preparation and celebrate the achievements of our incredible dancers!

For tickets and details, visit the Provo High GoFans site.