Students from Astra Studio of Dance and Performing Arts attended the Starbound Competition that took place in Danbury from Feb. 9 through Feb. 11. Students competed against nearly 700 routines from the New York and New England area.

Astra’s Mini team received high gold for both ballet and jazz. Its jazz routine took first place in the jazz category and earned third overall for Petite Intermediate Small Groups. Mini team members include Elleyana Barbieri from Old Saybrook, as well as Julia DeSousa (Westbrook), Sadie Heiser (Chester), and Isadora Souza (Westbrook).

The Junior team received high gold for both its contemporary and jazz routines, with the contemporary routine placing sixth overall for Junior Competitive Small Groups and earning a special judges’ award, ‘Teamwork Makes the Dream Work.’ The junior team members are Charlee Brockett (Essex), Emma Golembeski (Gales Ferry), Vivi Heiser (Chester), Samantha Sharpe (Westbrook), and Mackenzie True (Westbrook).

Astra’s Senior team earned a high gold for its jazz routine and gold for its contemporary routine, with the contemporary routine earning a special judges’ award for ‘Great Commitment to Character.’ Senior team members include Callie Andrews (Clinton), Emma Brockett (Essex), Juliette Linares (Chester), Amanda Pernal (Old Saybrook), and Jillian Pernal (Old Saybrook).

Additionally, the combined Junior-Senior tap team earned a high gold.

Charlee Brockett earned a high gold for her open solo and placed ninth overall in Junior Competitive Solos. Juliette Linares (jazz) and Emma Brockett (lyrical) both received high golds for their solos. Jillian Pernal (open), Amanda Pernal (lyrical), and Emma Golembeski (character) earned golds for their solos, with Jillian Pernal receiving a special judges’ award for ‘Wicked Walkovers.’

Two lyrical duets—performed by Mackenzie True and Samantha Sharpe, and Emma Brocket and Vivi Heiser—both received golds. The Junior Photogenic winner was Charlee Brockett, with images provided by Stephanie Melissa Photography.

Astra Studio, under the direction of Brittany Wigglesworth, is located at 210 Main Street in Old Saybrook. To learn about upcoming classes or for other info, contact 860-304-4314 or info@astrastudioct.com.