From jazzy Jives to tantalizing Tangos six Rutland County professionals paired with six area dance professionals danced to raise over $13,500 for Kids on the Move Pediatric Rehabilitation program and Children and Family services of the Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice.
“Dancing with the Rutland Stars has been the most successful fundraiser ever our pediatric program, Kids on the Move,” says Ron Cioffi, Executive Director of the Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice. “We want to thank everyone who was involved, from the planning committee members, to the dancers, to those who sponsored the event, voted online for our WJJR People’s Choice Award, and purchased tickets."
Dr. Leif Erickson, a Rutland optometrist and Shelby Jones from Cobra Gymnastics and Dance were named the top dancers scoring a 97.3 out of a possible 100 point dancing a West African Dance.
Second place winners, scoring a 97 out of a possible 100 were Matt Levandowski, Executive Vice President of Retail at Heritage Family Credit Union and Tara Bombardier from Centre Dance. Matt and Tara wowed the crowd with their theatrical jazz performance to Michael Buble’s “Still Haven’t Met You Yet.” Matt and Tara were also the recipient of the Velco’s Best Choreography Award.
Third place winners and top vote getters in the WJJR online People’s Choice Award were Tom Donahue, Executive Director of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce, and Gayle Lang from All About Dance @ Grand Performance who swing danced to “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley.
Michael J. Valentine, Executive Director of PEG-TV and Mary Fran Skaza, won the Merchant’s Bank Most Entertaining Performance, dancing a jazzy jive to, “You’re the One that I Want,” from the musical, Grease.
Executive Director of the Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association Ron Cioffi and Cathy Salmons from Studio Bliss, received the Patten Oil Stylishly Proficient Award with their Argentine Tango to “Poema” by Francisco Canara.
Nicole Fabian from People’s United Bank, and Kelly Moore from Music for Mankind, won best costuming. Nicole and Kelly danced a merengue to “Suavamente,” by Elvis Crespo.
Each costumed couple danced to a song of their choice, in a dance style of their choice soliciting cheers and applause from the over 600 guests. Judges Nina Coombs, Stephen Klein and Mitch Rosengarten, provided spirited commentary at the end of each dance. Terry Jaye and Judy Anderson from WJJR were emcees for the event.
The Dancing with the Rutland Stars Committee was chaired by Carrie Allen. Other committee members included Trish Bartenstein, Deborah Fradelis, Christopher Halnon, Rory House, Jill Jesso-White, Shannon Maass, Shari Owens, Shannon Reilly, Bernadette Robin and Laura Vien.
