Dancing with the Reading Stars Winners Announced!
The Yocum Institute for Arts Education announces the winners of the popular fundraising event, Dancing with the Reading Stars, which occurred on Friday, April 21, 2023, at the DoubleTree Hotel Reading at 701 Penn Street, Reading, PA, PA 19606.
Inspired by the hit television show, this annual event showcases “stars” representing Berks County’s diverse community during a fun-filled and inspiring evening. The pairs dance and raise money to further Yocum’s mission to provide arts education throughout the county and beyond.
Nine dance pairs participated this year live on the DoubleTree dance. This year’s star couples were: Johan Cruz and Jamie Lambert, Scott Davidson and Dr. Glynis Fitzgerald, Jadelyn De Asis and Alexis Frutos, Alaina Hanzl and Dawn Dietrich, Don Maher and Natan Pulido Perez, Ebony and Kelly McNeil, Maille and Ryan McNicholas, Steve and Christina Ohnsman, and Ashley and Andres Ortiz.
Funding was raised through sponsorships, donations, and votes for the dance pairs. Votes were cast in $10 increments. Recognition is given for the “Fan Favorite” and Grand Champions 1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd place based on the pairs who raise the most funds.
AND THE WINNERS ARE!!!!!:
Audience Favorite: Johan Cruz and Jamie Lambert
Grand Champion 3rd : Steve and Christina Ohnsman
Grand Champion 2nd: Scott Davidson and Dr. Glynis Fitzgerald
Grand Champion 1st: Johan Cruz and Jamie Lambert
The dance pairs were able to raise over $75,000 to further Yocum’s mission to provide arts education throughout the county.
About Yocum
The Yocum Institute for Arts Education is a multi-arts educational nonprofit organization and Berks County's leader in community arts education. For 87 years, Yocum has educated, inspired, and shaped our community through the arts. We help people of all ages and abilities be more creative and confident, which in turn improves health and quality of life. No other form of education or activity builds our mental, emotional, and social skills the same way—especially for kids.
Yocum offers professional instruction in dance, karate, music, theatre, and visual arts as well as arts integrated preschool and kindergarten programs, licensed by the PA Department of Education. Community partnerships with local schools, colleges, universities, libraries, and other nonprofits further Yocum’s reach with both in-house and outreach learning.
Yocum is supported by tuition, grants and contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and is an approved participant in the PA EITC/Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. Yocum programs directly impact more than 30,000 people each year with 80% under the age of 18 and 50% at risk. The annual Dancing with the Reading Stars fundraising event supports on-going operations, scholarships, productions, and our many outreach and offsite programs – over half of which are provided at little or no cost to the community. Additional photographs and additional details are available on request.
