By Nance Ebert, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – As a member of Motion Company at Rhythm Dance Company in Westborough, Kira Marderosian, 11, is committed to working really hard. She loves to dance and rises to the challenge of competing.
The Shrewsbury resident has been dancing all styles for the past two years. Prior to that, she focused her energy and talents on gymnastics. She does like all types of dance but she is particularly drawn to contemporary.
“I feel like I can connect with this type of music best. I love moving to this type of music and creating movements with some choreography,” she said.
Motion Company is one of seven at Rhythm Dance Company with students ranging from 7 to 18. Dancers must audition to be a part of the company. As part of the group, Marderosian attends classes year round and competes in three regional competitions and one national competition each year.
Nicole Kelley, owner and director of Rhythm Dance Company, could not brag enough about her star student and the role model she is to so many of the other dancers.
“She just started dancing two years ago. She is always focused, super-determined; she always says ‘yes’ and she is just a great kid. She is a good, supportive teammate and she is humble with what she achieves,” Kelley said.
Marderosian recently returned from a week at Mohegan Sun for the Star Power Nationals where there were over 1,000 competitors. She said her favorite part of competing is getting out on the stage in front of a packed audience wearing a great costume and feeling the energy and excitement.
“I especially loved my costume for my solo last year,” she noted. “It was a contemporary piece to the song, ‘Bottom of the River’ by Delta Rae.”
Marderosian competed in seven regional competitions during the 2013-14 season and two national contests, winning numerous solo awards including first place in her age group in the Starpower Nationals. In addition to competing solo, Marderosian was also a part of a very successful Hip Hop duo and a few group dances.
When the Sherwood Middle School sixth-grader is not at the studio dancing or off competing, she enjoys listening to music and playing outside with her sisters. Her closest friends are those that she dances with as they spend a good deal of time together.
In the future, she said she wants to be a famous choreographer and continue to grow as a dancer.
“I am incredibly proud of her,” said her mother, Tanya. “She is just a joy to watch. Her passion comes through with every dance and she is a great role model for her younger sisters, who dance as well. The passion is just tenfold.”