Dance by Farrah, a local dance studio with locations in Elkins and Parsons, recently achieved great success at the annual World Dance Championship in New Jersey. The studio’s dance routines not only won first and third place but also received several other awards, surpassing over 4,000 other dancers from around the world.
The competition, organized by the Star Dance Alliance, took place between July 24 and Aug. 1 and featured dance groups from various countries such as Argentina, China, France, and Australia. Farrah Farley, the owner of Dance by Farrah, expressed her excitement about the competition, stating, „There’s several different countries there so it’s a really big competition. It’s the biggest thing we do the whole season.“
Farley mentioned that Dance by Farrah has been participating in the World Championship for the past eight years, with a previous team winning an overall first place two years ago. To be eligible to compete at the World Dance Championship, dance teams must win a golden ticket at a regional event. Farley highlighted that all of Dance by Farrah’s competing teams had successfully secured golden tickets at regional competitions held in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
At the championship, Dance by Farrah had five dance routines performing, each of which had already received accolades at previous competitions. The Cabbage Patch Kids group, consisting of kindergarten and first graders, stood out with their routine and costumes, placing overall in a regional competition. The Snow Globe group, comprising fifth graders to 12th graders, had also achieved multiple first-place awards leading up to the championship.
The Mad Scientists routine, featuring second, third, and fourth graders, had secured first place in several competitions, including the Believe Talent National Championship. At the World Dance Championship, they made it to the top 10 and received a special Excellence in Performance award. Similarly, the Sail group, also consisting of fifth graders to 12th graders, had placed first overall in several competitions, including the National Championship, and received an Excellence in Execution award at the World Dance Championship.
The highlight of Dance by Farrah’s success at the competition was the Indiana Jones routine, performed by fifth graders to 12th graders. This routine had consistently placed first overall at all regionals and Nationals, where they became Grand National Champions. At the World Dance Championship, the team clinched the first-place title, becoming the 2024 World Dance Champions.
The joy and excitement of winning first and third place were palpable, with Farley describing the girls‘ reactions as „very happy tears, lots of jumping up and down, and many, many happy tears.“ While the decision to return to the competition next year is still pending, Farley mentioned that they usually strive to participate in the World Championship, showcasing their talent and dedication to the art of dance.