Sisters Reflect On Years Competing Together
Dancing Duo Finishing Up Last Year Together
February 16, 2022
While some siblings compete in sports alongside each other, many are not as successful as junior Isabella Cascone and senior Sofia Cascone have been.
Head Emeralds coach Andrea Holmes said the strengths they have as a duo work well together. Holmes said Sofia possessed technical skill in dance and Isabella was gifted at choreography.
“It’s unusual to have sisters that do this, but it is a great advantage to the Emeralds because they have been dancing together for their entire lives,” Holmes said.
The Cascone sisters have danced as a duo for 14 years, and this has been a meaningful experience for both.
“We’ve been dancing with each other since we were 2 and 3,” Sofia said. “It’s really special. It’s something that you’ll never forget.”
Isabella echoed the sentiments her sister shared about their experience competing together over the years.
“It’s something that I always hold close to my heart, and I always think about it,” Isabella said. “Being able to dance together and being able to share our passion together for our whole life has been awesome.”
The Cascone sisters competed together and won again and again. The duo earned first place overall for their performance at Lee’s Summit North Regionals Jan. 22. They claimed the title of six-time champions.
Despite winning for the past six years, both sisters said it was equally as exciting each time they won.
“It’s exciting every time,” Isabella said. “We never go into a competition thinking that we are going to win. You have to fight hard for it.”
Sofia agreed recognition is rewarding but said that they compete mainly because they love the sport.
“It’s rewarding getting recognized,” Sofia said. “We never go into a competition expecting anything. We just do it because we love it.”
The duo attributed their success to the support of their parents, dance teachers and coaches, as well as the hard work they regularly put in at practices.
“We do practice 40+ hours a week,” Isabella said. “We are always practicing. We watch videos a lot, and we critique ourselves.”
Every year, the sisters perform at least two to three duos together.
However, with Sofia graduating this year, this partnership will be coming to an end. Sofia said it would be a hard adjustment.
“I’m going to be very emotional about it,” Sofia said. “We’ve done it for 14 years straight. We’ll compete our last duo this year, and it’ll be pretty emotional.”
Holmes said watching the growth of both dancers has been something she valued as their coach.
“Watching them progress as people, as young women and as dancers has been exciting for me,” Holmes said.
Sofia said she and her sister hope to dance for the same college team, and while it wouldn’t be the same, they do want to continue to dance together beyond high school.