At this year’s championship, “Danė” chose to showcase its versatility and artistic growth. The audience witnessed two entirely different programs: the solo choreography team impressed with an elegant “James Bond” composition, while the newly formed six-couple ensemble energized the arena with a dynamic “Ricky Martin” choreography.
The solo dancers left no doubt in their category — their “James Bond” performance outperformed all five competing teams. As absolute leaders, they once again secured the title of Lithuanian champions. Meanwhile, the couples’ ensemble, the only formation of its kind in Lithuania, competed without rivals in its category and also claimed gold medals. The dancers are World Vice-Champions, European Championship bronze medalists, and multiple-time Lithuanian champions.
Emotions After a Successful Debut
Although this was the couples’ ensemble’s first appearance at the championship, their confident preparation was evident on the floor. Team captain Edvinas Ringys emphasized that beyond technical precision, the shared emotion was what mattered most:
“We weren’t just dancing — we live through the music. Seeing the audience absorb our energy is the greatest reward.”
For some dancers, the evening became a true test of endurance. Nikita Vasiljev performed in both the solo and couples’ programs, transitioning within minutes from a serious secret agent character in the solo performance to a charismatic Latin dance performer.
“The pressure was intense because the character of the programs was so different. One moment you are focused and строгий, the next you must radiate joy. But the audience’s ovations helped me forget any fatigue,” he said.
Dance as Part of Academic Life
Such performances are not merely extracurricular activities — they reflect the strong tradition of competitive dance nurtured at Klaipeda University. Team leaders Tadas Romeika and Roberta Drungilė note that most dancers successfully combine their passion for dance with academic studies.
Pre-admission is currently open for the University’s “Leisure Sport” study programme with a specialization in competitive dance, which attracts precisely such talented performers. As studies are organized in session-based format, students can effectively combine lectures with training or work, while their competitive experience directly enriches their academic learning.
“We are the only ensemble of this kind in Lithuania, so the responsibility was immense. Once again, our students and dancers proved that the name of Klaipeda University is well respected in the world of competitive dance,” said T. Romeika.
The team’s continued growth is also supported by legendary choreographer Prof. Ona Skaistutė Idzelevičienė, whose contribution ensures that “Danė” maintains the highest level of excellence.
Following their successful start in Kaunas, the team is already looking ahead. New members and prospective students are continuously welcomed into “Danė,” and this double triumph marks an impressive start to the season. The Lithuanian champions are now preparing for the European Championship, which will take place on April 3 in Greece.
