Kennedy Hughes | Age 9 | St. Wenceslaus
At the age of 2, Kennedy Hughes heard her calling at the dance studio and hasn’t missed a beat since. Hughes had a busy schedule at a young age, involved in both cheer and competitive dance. Two years ago, with the encouragement of Stephanie Pearson, owner of Nebraska Dance, Hughes went to dancing full time and left cheer behind.
Hughes loves and participates in all disciplines of dance: ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theater, acro (a style of dance that combines classical dance technique with precision acrobatic element), and lyrical. Her favorite style of dance is lyrical, which fuses ballet with contemporary dance techniques.
She started competing as a lyrical soloist in 2012, where her solos have earned her high point awards, top overall rankings and numerous awards. Last April, at the Showstopper’s Regional Dance Competition, Hughes won a Crystal award for highest overall score and won the overall title for her age division.
She also took first place overall at the Regional BravO! Dance and Talent Competition and was awarded the regional title for Miss Petite Bravo. This title awards both high scores and showmanship. This past June, Hughes traveled with her team at Nebraska Dance to Daytona Beach, FL to compete in her
first national competition. She was awarded a double platinum score (highest possible rank) and won in the lyrical competition.
This January, Hughes will have the opportunity to go with a ballet trio from Nebraska Dance to the YAGP (Youth American Grand Prix) in Dallas, the world’s largest ballet competition. She looks forward to the opportunity to add to her collection of accolades for her impressive talent in competitive dance.
Kennedy is the daughter of Erik and Diane Hughes. She has three brothers: Kylon 21 (currently stationed in Ft Drum, NY with the US Army), Dillon 13 and Devon 12. Her dogs Lulu (a Yorkie) and Zeus (miniature Australian Shepherd) are the most frequent spectators of her improv dances at home.
