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TREMAINE DANCERS OF THE YEAR

We Proudly Introduce The Tremaine 2021-22 DOTY’s!

2021-22 SENIOR DOTY

MADISON KOTCH

EnRich Dance Academy
Richmond, TX
Jana Brown

My name is Madison Kotch, and I am thrilled to represent Tremaine as a Senior Dancer of the Year for the 2021-22 season. As a graduating senior, I cannot think of a better way to end my competitive dance career.

My journey began at the age of two under the direction of Jana Brown at Jana Brown’s Centerstage, now EnRich Dance Academy in Richmond, Texas. From participating in recreational classes to joining the competitive team at the age of six and attending countless conventions and competitions nationwide, my love for dance has only continued to grow. Tremaine Dance Convention has played a major role in my passion for dance between attending my first Tremaine convention in Houston and being part of the Tremaine Performance Company since 2018. Being a Tremaine Performance Company member has allowed me to make connections with the faculty, who have taught me so much about the dance industry, and helped me make friendships that will last forever.

Thank you so much to Joe Tremaine and all of the faculty for this amazing opportunity! I have endless amounts of gratitude for all of the support and love that my studio, parents, grandparents, and siblings have given me throughout my dance journey. After graduation, I will attend college as a dance major to further my knowledge and love for dance. Becoming Dancer of the Year is a dream come true, and I cannot wait to begin this year!

2021-22 SENIOR DOTY

MAX GRAVELL

Dance Dynamics Performing Arts Center
Walled Lake, MI
Dori Matkowski, Kayla Hydorn & Darby Jensen

My name is Max Gravell, and I am 17 years old. I am immensely honored to represent Tremaine as a Senior Dancer of the Year during the 41st season. This year will be my 10th year dancing and my 8th attending Tremaine Dance Conventions.

Dance has been a large part of my life dating back to elementary school when I automatically fell in love with it. It has always been what I enjoy doing the most, as well as an escape during the toughest times. I grew up in Michigan at my home studio, Dance Dynamics Performing Arts Center, and have been a part of their Performing Company for 7 years now. At Dance Dynamics, I have been exposed to some of the best and most supportive teachers and coaches that have guided me through not only dance, but life as well. Thanks to them, I have attended several dance training programs and intensives around the country, further expanding my knowledge of dance and creating unforgettable memories.

Since I was little, Tremaine has always been the convention that I looked forward to the most, and I can’t think of a better way to experience my last year of high school! Other than dancing, I love to spend time with my family and friends as well as travel. Finally, I can’t thank Mr. Joe Tremaine and the faculty enough for this opportunity, I am forever grateful!

2021-22 TEEN DOTY

AVA CURBOW

Premier Dance
Olathe, KS
Jamie Barry

My name is Ava Curbow, and I am elated to represent Tremaine Dance Conventions as a 2021-22 Teen Dancer of the Year. Growing up in a family that loves dance, I began my own journey within the dance world at the age of six. Starting in recreational classes, and then moving into competitions and conventions, my own passion for dance grew quickly.

Training upwards of 40 hours a week under the direction of Jamie Barry, at Premier Dance in Olathe, Kansas, I strive to be a versatile dancer and compelling performer. I love participating in studio and online classes, traveling for intensives and master classes, as well as working with and learning from numerous instructors and choreographers from all over the Nation. I have gained incredible experience through mentorship programs, as well as my studio’s Pre-Professional Program.

In 2019, I joined the Tremaine Performance Company and feel so blessed to learn from some of the best working professionals in the industry. My hope is that I can be an inspiration to dancers of all ages and share in their dance journey with them, not only this year, but for many years to come!

Thank you to my family for the endless support and love that you show me as I work to make my dreams come true. To Mr. Tremaine, and all of the Tremaine faculty – THANK YOU for believing in me! I am incredibly excited to share my love of all things dance with Team Tremaine this year!

2021-22 TEEN DOTY

GAVIN WARFIELD

DanceZone
Bellaire, TX
Sheila Milner

My name is Gavin Warfield and I’m very excited to represent Tremaine as a Teen DOTY for 2021-22. My love for dance was noticed by my parents as a toddler during my sister’s many dance competitions and at our Friday night dance-offs at home. This love for dance eventually led to my mom enrolling me at DanceZone where I trained with the Mini performance company. Months later, I was competing at my first Tremaine convention and winning first place as a 2014 Junior Duo entry at the Houston Semi-Finals and Dallas summer competitions.

My introduction to competitive dance included training with the performance companies at DanceZone under the direction of Sheila Milner in Houston, TX. This training has also allowed me the opportunity to audition and be selected to train in the performing and visual arts magnet programs in Houston with approximately 100 other students. Our studies include performing and theoretical skills, backstage production, dance photography, dance history, repertory, and composition from 6th – 12th grade. I have also performed in the City of Houston Super Bowl events, the George Floyd Memorial concert in Houston, and the Houston Urban Nutcracker where I danced in the Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop acts and was introduced to a new dance style that I love — Swing dance.

I am a two-year member of the NBA Houston Rockets performance team, a recipient of the 2021 President’s Education Award from President Joe Biden and an agency talent of TL Modeling Agency in Houston. I love to swim, play basketball, watch Marvel movies, read Harry Potter books, play games on my X-Box with friends while chatting over group calls and watch many of my favorite dance performers including Usher, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Chris Brown, Missy Elliott, as well as choreographers including Lex Ishimoto, Jeremy Green, Calvit Hodge Jr., Jada Walker – former DOTY, Cameron Giles, Chris Harris and many of my convention teachers.

As Teen DOTY, I hope to inspire more young men to not only dance but commit to training in all genres of dance. I look forward to improving my live stage performance with the Tremaine choreographers, working on my free style during classes and taking advantage of all the training and knowledge from my fellow DOTYs and Tremaine family. I’m so thankful for this opportunity!

2021-22 JUNIOR DOTY

KENNEDY THOMPSON

Studio Bleu Dance Center
Ashburn, VA
Gloria Hampton

Hello! My name is Kennedy Thompson, and I am 10 years old. I attend Studio Bleu Dance Center, under the direction of Kim Rishi, and The Washington School of Ballet, the official school of The Washington Ballet.

I started dancing when I was two years old and competing when I was six. I attended my first Tremaine Convention when I was six years old and immediately fell in love! I left so inspired and have been coming back to Tremaine multiple times each year since then! I love all styles of dance, but my favorites are ballet, lyrical and contemporary. My goal is to become a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet!

I am so grateful to so many people who have helped me grow and are a part of my journey. Thank you to my family and friends for supporting me and my teachers for encouraging and challenging me, and helping to shape me into the dancer I am today. Since I was six years old, it was a huge goal of mine to become Junior Dancer of the Year so this is a dream come true for me! Tremaine has always, and will always, be my favorite convention!

Thank you so much to all the faculty and to Mr. Joe Tremaine for this amazing opportunity. I’m still shocked that my name is up there with the long list of all of the other amazing Tremaine DOTYs! I’m so grateful! Dance is my life and I am so excited to experience this next year learning and sharing what I love to do most with everyone at Tremaine. I love you Tremaine Dance!

2021-22 JUNIOR DOTY

LAKOTA LOYA

The Right Combination Dance Studio
Winter Garden, FL
Jillian Everett & Jessica Hester

Hello! I am Lakota Loya and my passion is the performing arts! I love all styles of dance and cherish every opportunity to train to become a well-rounded, versatile dancer. Jazz is my specialty because it lets my sassy personality shine.

I started dancing at the age of 3 and competing at the age of 6. Modeling, acting, and musical theater also hold a special place in my heart. With a desire to grow as a triple threat, I have performed on stage in several musicals
with roles including Mayzie La Bird in Seussical, Janet Van de Graaff from The Drowsy Chaperone in A Tribute to Broadway, and Tiger Lily in Peter Pan. My dreams are to dance and act professionally in the commercial industry, perform on Broadway, and work as a choreographer.

I live in Orlando, Florida with my parents and older sister Laken—who always provide love, support, and encouragement. Outside of dance and the performing arts, I am currently a sixth grade student. Some of my favorites include Nutella, Steelers football, fashion, and all things Disney.

Since my first experience with Tremaine, I fell in love with the convention and set personal goals of becoming a Dancer of the Year and part of Team Tremaine. It has been my honor over the past several years to receive various Best Showmanship awards, National Group and Solo placements, and convention scholarships. I am absolutely thrilled to serve as a 2021-22 Junior Dancer of the Year and am so excited for The Power of Dance tour!