NORWICH - Widely known for her adagio and modern choreography, Norwich dance teacher Amber Perkins took several top awards for both at the American Dance Awards championship competition held in Orlando last month.

A group of 60 dance students from the Amber Perkins School of the Arts competed in what is known as one of the original, largest and most respected national dance championships in the country. The competition draws participants from throughout the United States and Canada. The Norwich school has been represented at ADA competitions for the past 10 years.

Taking first place in the ages 13 and over class performances category was Perkins’ junior adagio number, “Underwater.” The piece featured David Allen, Johnny Wonka and Robin Wonka of Oxford; Kristyn Alexandrea, Lane deCordova, Darby Dietrich, Ricky Schieffer, Courtney McGrath and Matt Austin of Norwich; Jenna Thomsen, Tara Franklin and Lucas Lyons of South New Berlin; Angela Beers of Mt. Upton; Adrian Enscoe of Earville; Travis St. Denny of Philadelphia; and Michael Cerwinski of Greene.

Overall second place awards went to the adagio duo for ages 11 to 12 called “Union,” featuring John Wonka of Oxford and Angela Beers of Mt. Upton; the 17 and over adagio duo, “Primal Scream,” featuring Robin Wonka of Oxford and Tavis St. Denny of Philadelphia; and two large group numbers: “Film Noir” and “Old New York.”