China Grove dance studio wins national honor at 2026 Industry Dance Awards
A small-town dance studio with big-time talent is putting China Grove on the national stage. Center Stage Dance Company recently earned one of the dance community’s highest honors when its performance of Love Turned Blue was named the Best Lyrical/Modern/Contemporary Number of the 2026 competition season at the Industry Dance Awards, held Oct. 21 at The Avalon in Hollywood, California.
Industry Dance Awards winners from Center Stage Dance Company.
Often considered the equivalent of the Oscars or Tony Awards for the dance community, the Industry Dance Awards recognize the most outstanding performances from top-tier dance competitions across the country. For Center Stage, bringing home this prestigious honor is more than a trophy. It represents the dedication of its dancers and families, the vision of its choreographers, and the commitment to excellence that drives the studio every day, according to a news release.
Artistic Director Sydney Overcash and Choreographer Liza Eller on the red carpet after receiving the Industry Dance Award for 2026.
Accepting the award on behalf of Center Stage were Choreographer Liza Eller and Artistic Director Sydney Overcash, who represented not only their talented dancers but also their hometown of China Grove.
Earning an Industry Dance Award nomination is no small accomplishment. Dancers must compete at the elite or advanced level at one of the nation's leading regional competitions, where standout performances are selected to represent their respective dance genres. In 2026, Center Stage received 10 Industry Dance Award nominations, spanning jazz, lyrical/contemporary, tap, open, hip-hop, and musical theater.
From nearly 3,000 nominations submitted nationwide, the selection process ultimately narrowed the field to the most exceptional performances in each category. Only one routine per studio could advance to the public voting stage, and Center Stage's selection was Love Turned Blue, the release said.
Following public voting, the Industry Dance Awards committee made the final determination. In the lyrical/modern/contemporary category, Love Turned Blue stood among 13 finalists representing studios from New Jersey, Texas, Ohio, Florida, Wisconsin, California and Nebraska. After careful consideration, the committee selected Center Stage's performance as the best in the category for 2026.
Love Turned Blue Dancers - first row, Kamryn Sigmon, Savannah Sedergren, Phoenix Overcash, Anisten Cook and Ashley Myers. Second row, Carsyn Stelmack, Jaiden Taylor, Bradyn Burgess, Kelsie Myers, Emma Houghton and Harper Davis.
For a studio rooted in China Grove, being recognized above outstanding programs from across the country is a remarkable achievement.
The Industry Dance Awards also supports a mission that reaches well beyond the stage. Each year, the organization partners with Dancers Against Cancer to raise money for dancers and their families who are battling cancer.
At this year's event, the Industry Dance Awards raised more than $700,000 for the cause and presented $60,000 onstage to six dancers currently fighting cancer. The partnership serves as a powerful reminder that the dance community is about more than competition and awards. It is also about compassion, connection, and supporting one another through life's greatest challenges.
The celebration continued the following evening when Eller and Overcash attended the Gala of the Stars at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. The star-studded event honored celebrated figures from the dance and entertainment industries and featured appearances by Missy Elliott, Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. The evening was hosted by former "Dancing with the Stars" professional Maksim Chmerkovskiy and included a performance by fellow "Dancing with the Stars" professional Sasha Farber.
Bradyn Burgess of Kannapolis and Jaiden Taylor of Mooresville.
The nationally recognized performance of Love Turned Blue featured 11 talented dancers from across the region: Bradyn Burgess of Kannapolis; Anisten Cook, Harper Davis, Ashley Myers, Kelsie Myers and Carsyn Stelmack of Salisbury; Emma Houghton of Mt. Ulla; Phoenix Overcash and Kamryn Sigmon of China Grove; Jaiden Taylor of Mooresville; and Savannah Sedergren of Richfield.
Together, these dancers helped bring a prestigious national award home to their community, demonstrating what dedication, teamwork, and artistic expression can accomplish.
For Center Stage Dance Company, entering its 45th year of dance, the award is a milestone worth celebrating, but it is also motivation to keep reaching higher. The studio remains committed to helping dancers discover their potential, strengthen their skills, and experience the excitement of being part of something special.
