Marietta Dance Academy Rocked Nationals!

MARIETTA, OH — The Marietta Dance Academy just got back from an amazing showing at nationals. They took home three National Champion Awards and placed high in a number of categories.

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Jill Ruff is the owner of Marietta Dance Academy and an instructor. She said she, Courtney Griffiths, and Morgan Stanley helped get the girls ready for the competition. There were 22 girls from the Mid-Ohio Valley who made the nearly 8-hour trip to the Starpower National Championship in Ocean City, Maryland last week. Because of COVID-19, Ruff focused on trios, duets, and solo dances.

"So fewer dancers would need to gather for each rehearsal."

The girls work hard but the Marietta Dance Academy tries to keep a healthy balance of work, team building, and fun.

"We say dance friends make the best friends and it's really true for team members who’ve been dancing together since they were three years old."

The girls qualified for Starpower Nationals in March at the regional competition which was held in Charleston. They helped fundraise at events throughout the dance year to be able to cover the cost of nationals. Ruff said they've received a lot of support from the community.

"There’s also the extended community that supports our fundraising efforts by buying raffle tickets and bath bombs and pizza. Many may never see a dance but believe that there should be the opportunity to pursue your passion."

This year's Starpower Nationals included 50 studios, 1,400 acts, and 1,200 dancers. Most of the other girls are from dance troups in bigger cities. Three Marietta Dance Academy dance groups made it to the finals. All three of them placed in the top three, they picked up two second-place finishes and a third-place. Ruff said it was thrilling for the dancers to share the stage with nationally ranked studios like TKO from Queens, New York.

"We are very proud of our dancers and their determination. Especially in the battle, which was very intense and intimidating. Our girls were pros!"

Ruff said that winning is great, but it isn't everything. That what really matters is having the opportunity to dance together. She teaches her girls that they don't learn by winning every time. And win or lose, the dance goes on.

"We either win or we learn."

Ruff said that nationals is always bittersweet because it will be the last time graduating seniors will get to dance with the team. Two of the 18-year-old grads have been dancing with Ruff for 15-years.

Ruff did want folks to know they do their best to give back to the community, usually performing at events like First Friday, and other organizations who call on them for entertainment. She said the only reason they missed the Christmas in July Parade is because it conflicted with their schedule for nationals.

Competitive dance choreography for next season starts in a few weeks for the Marietta Dance Academy.

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