Chelmsford Dancer Earns National Title, Opportunities to Perform Across the Country

Fifteen-year-old Martina Higgins eats, breathes and sleeps dance, a commitment that at last earned her a coveted and prestigious title she’s fought to achieve for three years.

Following a week-long Dance Inc. competition in Atlantic City, N.J., Higgins was named National Miss Teen Dance on July 8, earning the title in the 13-15-Year-Old Teen Category with her performance of her contemporary open-style dance titled “Warrior.” She topped a field of 12.

“I was extremely shocked,” Higgins said of her reaction to being crowned. “It was very surprising. I’m used to not being on top. At regular competitions, I’m usually not the top dancer. I’m usually in the top 10, but not the winner. For me to win that, it was very surreal. It hasn’t even sunk in yet.

“I didn’t believe it. I started out crying and then after a minute was asking, “Is this even real?”

Throughout the next year, Higgins’ title will allow her a variety of opportunities. In particular, Marta Higgins, her mother, said this particular dance company has designed a program through which its title winners can experience the business side of dance competitions by working at merchandise tables, as teachers’ aides and more.

“They create an environment like an internship,” Marta explained. “They create an atmosphere where you learn the business. You are directly involved in setting things up and tearing them down for a competition. It’s more than just a title and a crown.”

For Martina, the title is especially sweet given that she’s attempted to earn it for the past three years and, in that time, has grown close to and fond of the individuals who run the competition.

“The directors and I have grown very close throughout the years. When I go to that competition, it’s like a family. It’s a very positive environment,” Martina explained. “I always wanted to be a winner and represent the company.”

Martina’s title will allow her the opportunity to study at the Relativity School in California. The school, connected to Relativity Media in Hollywood, just graduated its first class and will provide opportunities for Martina to hone her skills further.

She will also head to New York City in December to dance in front of major dance industry players as well as Hollywood celebrities as part of a gala benefiting the Dizzy Feet Foundation, a charity co-founded by “So You Think You Can Dance” judge and producer Nigel Lythgoe and geared toward improving access to dance education across the country.

The 15-year-old said she dreams of one day auditioning for ”So You Think You Can Dance” when she’s old enough and can’t wait to perform for a charity closely connected with the show.

Martina has been dancing since she was 3 years old and devotes about 22 hours a week a week to her craft. She’ll be a sophomore at Chelmsford High School this fall. She said she places a high value on her studies and education and has somehow managed to prioritize her time and maintain good grades.

“School is really important and to be a successful dancer, you need to be a successful student,” Martina explained.

She hopes to one day make a career in the dance industry as either a performer or working on the business side of things, both aspects of which excite her.

“I think that dance is very different from every other sport and I really like that every dancer is different from every other dancer,” Martina said. “You can look at two dancers and see similarities, but no two dancers are the same.

“I feel my best when I’m dancing.”

I addition to her title-winning solo performance at the recent national competition, Martina also performed with her younger sister, Lauren, in the duet category of the competition. The sister team earned first place for their performance of a dance title, “Medicine.”

When it comes to encouraging younger dancers, Martina said that perseverance is key.

“When I was younger, I was never the best dancer, I was never the top,” Martina said. “To get the point where I am, I’m still not the best, but you have to keep trying and keep up the hard work.”