Santa Barbara High student crowned Teen Dance Star

.Another winner was crowned Saturday at the annual Teen Dance Star competition The 2017 champion is Sophia Cordero, a student at Santa Barbara High School and Zermeno Dance Academy. Cordero was one of 10 finalists from across Santa Barbara County. The ten finalists were Karlise Loza from Gustafson Dance, Gracie Salsido from The Dance Network, Audrey Zuck from Santa Barbara Dance Arts, Catherine Pizzinat from Gustafson Dance, Kelby Pintard from Santa Barbara Dance Arts, Tara Mata from Zermeno Dance Academy, Isabelle Hughes from Santa Barbara Dance Arts, Katie Cleek from Curtis School of Dance, and Natalie Mowers from Zermeno Dance Academy. Blake Schryer was the alternate from Los Olivos Dance Gallery. The judges this year were Jessica Richens, 2nd Runner Up on Season 11 of So You Think You Can Dance, actor and dancer Cris Judd, and Melanie Buttarazzi who was also a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance. Proceeds from the event go to the Arts Mentorship Program which sets up a scholarship in each finalists’ name and allows qualified at-risk youth to train at studios throughout Santa Barbara County. Lambert Production also puts on Teen Star, a singing competition, which will be February 25 at 6:30 pm at the Arlington Theatre. Tickets are on sale here.