06/10/2026
NATIONALS #1 ☀️🏆✨
June 5-7, 2026 | Biloxi, Mississippi
What an incredible weekend with NYLA Dance Nationals!
We arrived Friday ready to learn, grow, and make memories. The dancers jumped right into convention classes and worked so hard all weekend. Annalyse and Madeline were both spotlighted during class, which was such an exciting accomplishment. They also began rehearsals for the Nationals Showcase that would close out the weekend.
Friday night wrapped up with dinner at Beau Rivage and, of course, a little practice session in the hotel lobby. 😂 Dancers never really stop dancing!
Saturday was another early morning filled with convention classes, rehearsals, and competition. This year’s Nationals brought together 16 studios and more than 150 routines. The talent level was incredible.
That evening, everyone dressed up for the Disco Dance Party. A huge thank you to Pam Mechana for helping make our disco vision come to life! Our dancers became the “Disco Dolls” with a fun Spice Girls theme, the dance moms proudly wore their “I’m With the Spice Girls” shirts, and Cooper made sure everyone knew he was there with his “Cooper & His Spice Girls” shirt. 💃🕺✨
Then came the announcement of the Top 5 Finalists.
🌟 BANG! performed by Annalyse Son advanced to the Top 5 in the Teen Recreational Solo Division.
🌟 Wild Horses performed by Isabella Martinez, Olivia Thibodeaux, and Ainsley Callegan advanced to the Top 5 in the Teen Recreational Trio Division.
🌟 Carry Me Home performed by Isabella Martinez, Olivia Thibodeaux, Ainsley Callegan, Annalyse Son, and Madeleine Hedges advanced to the Top 5 in the Recreational Group Division.
This was a HUGE accomplishment, especially for Carry Me Home, as they were competing against not only teen groups but senior groups, large groups, and productions as well.
Five dances entered.
Three dances made the Top 5 Finals.
Sunday morning began with the Finals Competition, where our dancers had the opportunity to compete again for new scores and placements.
After Finals, the dancers participated in a mock audition where they learned choreography and performed it for the judges. Out of approximately 150-200 teen and senior dancers, Madeleine Hedges was selected to receive a NATIONALS SCHOLARSHIP! 🎉 What an incredible accomplishment and well-deserved recognition of her hard work.
The weekend concluded with the Nationals Showcase featuring all of the dancers before moving into the final awards ceremony.
✨ PHOTOGENIC AWARDS ✨
Teen Division
👑 Annalyse Son – Platinum & Miss Teen Photogenic
👑 Isabella Martinez – Platinum & 1st Runner-Up
👑 Ainsley Callahan – Platinum & 2nd Runner-Up
Senior Division
👑 Olivia Thibodeaux – Platinum & 1st Runner-Up
✨ SPECIAL AWARD ✨
Carry Me Home
🏆 Judges Choice Award – Creative Concept
✨ COMPETITION RESULTS ✨
BANG! – Annalyse Son
• Platinum
• Top 5 Finalist
• 4th Overall High Score
A Dream – Isabella Martinez
• Superstar High Triple Gold
Beautiful – Madeleine Hedges
• Platinum
Wild Horses – Isabella Martinez, Olivia Thibodeaux, Ainsley Callegan
• Superstar High Triple Gold
• Top 5 Finalist
• 3rd Overall High Score
Carry Me Home – Ainsley Callegan , Annalyse Son, Isabella Martinez, Madeleine Hedges, Olivia Thibodeaux
• Superstar Platinum
• Top 5 Finalist
• 2nd Overall High Score
While I am incredibly proud of every award earned this weekend, what makes me proudest isn’t the trophies. It’s the growth, dedication, perseverance, friendships, and love these dancers have for one another.
Watching these girls grow not only as dancers but as young women has been one of the greatest blessings. They have become such a close-knit family, and I am beyond thankful for each dancer and every parent who continues to support them along this journey.
Nationals #1 is officially in the books, but we’re not done yet…
🚨 One more Nationals to go!
Elite Dance Cup Nationals… HERE WE COME! 🔥🖤
