Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily TimesValdosta State University Theatre & Dance and VSU Music named the stars and dance professionals for the scholarship fundraiser Dancing with the Valdosta Stars.

VALDOSTA, Ga. — A few well-known Valdosta residents may be the ones doing the dancing but it will be Valdosta State University performing arts students taking the next steps of their academic careers.

Valdosta State University Theatre, Dance and Music personnel recently announced the participants in the annual Dancing with the Valdosta Stars. 

The event matches the VSU Music Scholarship Alliance with VSU Theatre & Dance to raise scholarship funds for the university’s performing arts students.

While there are no prizes, and no official competition, the Valdosta stars help drive the amount of money donated to the event, said Jacque Wheeler of VSU Theatre & Dance.

Their friends, families and associates can reserve a table in honor of a particular dancer. During the evening’s show, the audience members can vote for their favorite dancers by donating more money. 

The Valdosta Stars are paired with area dance professionals and VSU dance students. Monday, the stars met their dance partners.

The stars and their partnered dance professionals are Noel Bowen and Brandon Chandler, Melissa Coleman and Brady Whitehouse, Tara Purvis and Olin Davidson, Elizabeth Vickers and Wendell Hester, Justin Cabral and Sarah Wildes Arnette, Daniel Folsom and Melissa Pihos, Brantley Jenkins and Jeani Synyard, Blake Woodruff and Brooke Butler. 

The 2017 Dancing with the Valdosta Stars is scheduled for April 8, VSU Student Union Ballroom.

More information: Call Jeani Synyard, (229) 244-3036.