Photo provided to the Times Observer Members of the Molly Dies Dance Express Competition Team include, front, Harper Jones, Carly Olsen, Taylor Alexander, Alice Pearson, Adeline Amsdell and Lillian Wellner; second row, Kadyn Moore, Anne Lin, Noel Alexander, Rocco Siliano, Hannah Gentz, Rylee Steffan and Katelyn Jurkowski and, back row, Lara Pearson, Abby Gens, Sarah Tome, Ella Solberg, Izzy McMonigal and Emelyn Moore.

The 2024 season has been a busy one for the dancers of the Molly Dies’ Dance Express Competition Team.

That has included regional tournaments including two in Youngstown, Oh., Buffalo, NY, New Castle, Hamburg, NY and Erie.

It also included a trip to Honolulu.

“We love what we do here at MDDE, and it shows every time those dancers hit a stage.” Molly Dies Geer, Company director, said.

Geer said that the competition team includes 19 dancers who performed a total of 35 dance routines in a range of styles from lyrical to jazz, tap, contemporary and musical theatre in a variety of formats – solo, duet, trio, small group and large group.

“Adjudication, judge’s special awards and overall high scores for these dances were given from three professional dance judges at each competition,” Geer said.

The list of awards? Entertainment Awards, Technique Awards, Showmanship Awards, Choreography Awards, Highest Scoring Awards, Overall High Score Achievements, Special Judges’ Awards, Team Awards, and array of medal colors.

“The dancers and choreographers train for months in pre-competition class format and competition classes/rehearsals/performances,” Geer said.

“The love, passion, dedication, and discipline these dancers have to themselves, their team, their hometown, and their art is just awesome to watch,” Geer said. “It’s a fun journey to be on, and I’m glad to be on it with them. We all just love to watch them dance and they represent so well.”

Amongst all the standout awards, the group had multiple “Title” Winners throughout their Regional Competitions including Rocco Siliano, Noel Alexander, Carly Olsen, Lara Pearson and Lillian Wellner.

“The whole Company puts in so much time in and out of the Studio,” Dies said. “We’re very proud of these dancers and (the) time commitment they give. Open Studio, to weekend rehearsals, school days off. They all work so hard, and their hard work shows no matter what the award.”