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First State Academy of Dance<br />
Students Receive Scholarships<br />
By Bryan Shupe<br />
First State<br />
Academy of<br />
Dance (FSAD)<br />
has been in business<br />
in <strong>Milford</strong><br />
for 10 years. Over<br />
the past decade<br />
FSAD’s students<br />
have received<br />
scholarships, acceptance<br />
and<br />
awards to various<br />
summer programs and colleges/universities through their skills in<br />
the art of dance.<br />
Recently, First State Academy of Dance students, Victoria Brown-<br />
O’Brien, 16 and Ian Boyan, 14 were chosen for a scholarship at the<br />
Delaware Dance Festival held at Dover Downs. At the festival Victoria<br />
and Ian both competed against over 100 dancers from three<br />
surrounding states.<br />
”I’m extremely proud of the fact that one or more of my students<br />
have been consistently chosen for this scholarship. It also makes<br />
you feel good knowing that you are inspiring and giving these students<br />
hope and encouragement to continue on,” commented Michele<br />
Xiques, Director of FSAD.<br />
has been with FSAD for more than five years and Victoria since<br />
FSAD opened ten years ago. Victoria’s mother, Misty Yencer has<br />
been teaching dance there as well.<br />
“I am still amazed and grateful that they chosen me. Everyone in<br />
my life has been so supportive towards my dance career; they will<br />
never know how much it means to me. Let’s face facts; it is not<br />
easy being a guy dancer in lower Delaware. <strong>The</strong> opportunities that<br />
dance has given me and the people from around the world that I<br />
have met so far has truly inspired me,” stated Ian.<br />
Ian and Tori also represented the First State Academy of Dance<br />
at the Youth American Grand Prix this year. FSAD was one of<br />
two studios competing from Delaware at the competition. Youth<br />
America Grand Prix is the world’s largest student ballet scholarship<br />
competition that awards over $250,000 annually in scholarships to<br />
leading dance schools worldwide. <strong>The</strong> competition is held annually<br />
around the world and in New York City, and is open to dance<br />
students 9-19 years old. Victoria will also competing in Miss Delaware’s<br />
Outstanding Teen this year.<br />
Two more of FSAD’s students were chosen to be interviewed for<br />
the scholarship opportunity as well, Anna Lee Edmondson, 12<br />
and, Angela Zielen, 16. <strong>The</strong> First State Academy of Dance is located<br />
at 107 Maple Avenue in <strong>Milford</strong> and can be reached at 302-<br />
422-2633.<br />
Ian and Victoria are both skilled and experienced dancers. Ian
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