The Bermuda Dance Academy’s International Performance Team achieved a major milestone last month, earning its first category win in international competition.

The group’s hip-hop routine, Too Lit, placed first in the Junior Division Large Group category at the Revive Dance Convention and Competition in Orlando, Florida. Bermuda Dance Academy also took top honours in the Under-12 Hip-Hop category, earning a platinum score and securing a place in the competition’s final weekend Wild Card Showcase.

The team travelled to the event from February 11 to 18 with 12 dancers — Kennedy Steeves, Sanziniah Raynor, Tjaia Butler, Aanya Mills, Nia Cross, Tessanne Williams, Riley Evans, Essence Lewis, Gerney Gibbons-Boyles, Aviya Mills, Isabella Lindsay and Alena Hassell. They were joined by teachers Makaylie Smith, Imani Edwards and Jaidah Bailey, as well as company director Nikia Manders. Fourteen family members also made the trip to support the team.

Ms Manders said the achievement was a proud moment for the academy.

“It’s exciting to see the students recognised for the work they’ve put in,” she said. “They trained hard for this competition and represented Bermuda very well on the stage.”

She added that events such as Revive give dancers valuable exposure to international training and competition.

“It’s always a great experience for the students because they get to see dancers from other schools and take classes with different teachers,” she said. “It helps them grow and pushes them to work even harder.”

Hip-hop instructor Ms Smith, who choreographed Too Lit, said she was pleased with the dancers’ performance.

“I’m incredibly proud of the Performance Team from Bermuda Dance Academy for their performance at Revive,” she said. “Our hip-hop piece, Too Lit, brought amazing energy to the stage, earning a platinum award, Best Hip-Hop Performance, and the honour of being selected for the Wild Card Showcase. The girls worked extremely hard, and their dedication truly showed in every moment of their performance.”

Another highlight for the academy came when the tap routine MJ, performed by Nia, Tessanne, Riley, Essence and Gerney, placed sixth in the Mini Small Group Tap category and received the Under-12 Judges’ Choice “Incredible Energy” award.

Several other routines also placed within the top ten of their divisions. Barbie Extra, a junior jazz duo performed by Nia and Tessanne, finished fifth with a High Gold score.

Teen tap duo Party Time, performed by Sanziniah and Kennedy, placed eighth, while Work It, a hip-hop duo by Tjaia and Aanya, finished ninth. The contemporary small group routine 25, performed by Sanziniah, Kennedy, Tjaia and Aanya, also placed ninth with a High Gold score.

In the solo division, Riley performed the mini jazz routine Shake the Room, earning a High Gold score.

The performance was initially scary for her, but it became easier with support from her team-mates.

“It was a little nerve-racking but I went through it with support from Sanziniah, my teachers and the whole dance school,” Riley said. “Sanziniah was really there for me and helped me get through the dance, making sure I felt good about it and just being a really good friend.”

Riley and Alena were also awarded single convention scholarships to return to the Revive Dance event for the 2026-27 season.

Riley said the convention classes were one of many highlights of the convention experience.

“I got to learn new dances and try contemporary again, which I really enjoyed,” she said. “My advice to someone going for the first time would be to try your hardest, pay attention and just have fun.”

The trip marked Alena’s first experience competing internationally.

“It was so exciting dancing with my team-mates on stage. I got to dance in the ‘City Crew’, which opened for the Wild Card Showcase and also received a scholarship for next year’s convention and competition. The whole experience was exciting and made me a little nervous,” she said.

“I would like to thank my dance teachers and Ms Manders for giving us the opportunity and I hope to compete again.”

Ms Manders said the competition continues to be an important opportunity for the dancers to gain experience on an international stage.

“These opportunities help build confidence and give the students a chance to grow both as dancers and as performers,” she said.

• For more information, visitbermudadanceacademy.com