Adam Agostino of Auburn was crowned the national Teen Male Dance Champion at the recent West Coast Dance Explosion (WCDE) competition in Las Vegas.

Agostino, 15, has trained at Allegro Performing Arts Academy in Kent for more than eight years and was joined at the competition by eight other Allegro dancers. All placed within the top 15 dancers in each age category.

Agostino earned his Teen Male Elite Dancer by receiving the highest score, accumulated from his solo performance and a jazz and ballet audition. He has participated in the elite dancer program once before, in 2010, when his all-boy hip hop group, Allegro’s Pure Boyz, placed third in the overall teen division.

While at WCDE, Agostino participated in classes with nationally recognized teachers, such as Kim Wolfe, Dee Caspary and Eddie Strachan. He also danced in a performance with pop star Charice. WCDE is one of the nation’s most competitive national dance events. Agostino and the other dancers from Allegro qualified for the national competition by winning an “Elite Dancer” rank at a regional competition held in Seattle in March.

The solo that Agostino performed to help him earn the championship is titled, “The Finish Line.” It is a lyrical/contemporary piece that highlights Agostino’s lines, strength and his exquisite technical abilities. The piece was choreographed by Tiffany Miles-Brooks, who has choreographed for Agostino for many years.

Agostino says a highlight of the weeklong event is that, as an Elite Dancer at WCDE, “You get to meet dancers from other cities around the country. It was almost like a dream come true, accomplishing something that I have worked for and strived toward for so long.”

Tonya Goodwillie and Miles-Brooks, co-directors of Allegro, are beyond proud of Agostino’s hard work and success. Many of his teachers, as well as his family and teammates, were in the audience when he was announced as the champion on July 6.

Agostino’s parents, Nancy and Jim Agostino, say they continue to be in awe of how hard their son works. “We’re super proud and amazed at how he has continued to challenge himself in order to achieve this level. We’re also very thankful for the amazing teachers and choreographers he has had the opportunity to work with and who have supported him in his goals.”

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For more about Allegro Performing Arts Academy, its classes, instructors and competition groups, visit www.allegrodance.com.