Ari Abrahams placed first overall at the Thunderstruck Regional Northwest dance competition at the Foster Performing Arts Center in Seattle on Feb. 25.

Abrahams is an Island Dance independent competition tap dancer. She was awarded a High Gold level trophy for “Let’s Get Loud,” choreographed by tap teacher Elijah Ferguson.

Abrahams also came home with another first place trophy for overall excellence among all dance styles in the senior division, ages 15 to 18.  This is an unusual coup given that some consider tap an old-fashioned dance style, and the overwhelming majority of pieces that compete are in contemporary styles, such as lyrical and jazz.

Melissa Smith, also an Island Dance student and independent competition dancer, received High Gold trophy awards for both her solos: “Collide” a lyrical piece she choreographed and “El Pendulo,” choreographed by Jamee Pitts.  Melissa took the second place overall award plaque in the teen division, ages 12-14, for her solo “El Pendulo,” using a combination of dance styles.

Abrahams is a student of tap at Clinton’s Island Dance studio. Co-owner Charlene Brown is a veteran tap dancer who has been teaching tap dance for more than 40 years. Current tap classes include dancers from ages 4 to 80.