Local dance troupe takes top prize and shines spotlight on their studio, Dancin’ Daisy
By Taylor Owens CONTENT MARKETING DIRECTOR
Bozeman’s most beloved talent showcase lit up the stage at the Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture once again this year, drawing a packed house and an impressive lineup of performers to the annual Beast of Bozeman talent competition. After a night of exciting talent and audience cheers, the 2025 crown went to powerhouse dance group The Deadly Daisies.
The Deadly Daisies took first place with a high-energy performance that left the crowd roaring. Their choreography was both athletic and expressive—a style the group has honed their skills through years of training together at Dancin’ Daisy, the Bozeman-based dance studio they call home.
“Honestly? When that first note hit at dress rehearsal and our energy vibrated through the auditorium, I knew,” Haley Doland, leader of the Deadly Daisies and owner of Dancin’ Daisy, said. “We got this.”
What made The Deadly Daisies’ winning performance stand out was the collaborative spirit behind it—a fusion of vision and style from four different choreographers at Dancin’ Daisy: Haley Doland, Barla Beaudoin, Dezzi Cortez, and Jessica Johnson. Each brought their own unique movement and dance background to the piece, blending styles into a cohesive performance. The choreography was set to a medley of songs with each choreographer taking ownership over distinct sections in the mix.
“Choreographing so much of the dance was a huge personal step for me,” choreographer Barla Beaudoin said. “I’ve choreographed before, but never for such a large group or big event. It always felt too vulnerable to put my art out there in that way. But the Daisies gave me the support and encouragement to go for it. It ended up being such a rewarding experience, both creatively and emotionally.”
The Deadly Daisies are more than just a performance group—they’re a tight-knit ensemble shaped and supported byDoland. The studio is known for its inclusive and empowering approach to movement, welcoming dancers of all levels and backgrounds. Classes are held each week on Wednesdays at Namaha Studios in the Northeast Neighborhood.
“All I could think about was my family in the crowd,” choreographer Dezzi Cortez said. “I knew since they were there, I had to give it my all.”
Coming in second at Beast of Bozeman was Volcanic Ash, a jazz quartet whose musicianship and chemistry on stage earned them top placement. Third place went to vocalist and actress Maddisen Sheedy, who sang Defying Gravity from the famed Broadway show Wicked.
“It is an amazing feeling,” choreographer Jessica Johnson said. “Still having a hard time believing it but knowing we put in the work and it paid off is the best.”
Beast of Bozeman is a high-energy celebration of local performers of all kinds. Hosted annually at the Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture, the event offers professional lighting, sound, and stage production for every act. From solo singers and comedians to full bands and dance troupes, it’s an open call to Bozeman’s best performers.
Audience votes determine the winners, and with cash prizes and bragging rights on the line, every act brings their best.
“Winning Beast of Bozeman means so much more to me than just the title,” Beaudoin said. “This win feels like validation—not just of the choreography, but of the growth, connection, and passion we’ve all shared.”
“When preparing for Beast of Bozeman and any performance, we do an exercise picturing our younger selves in the audience watching us dance,” Doland said. “I think I can speak for not only myself but every Daisy when I say winning Beast of Bozeman means so much more than just winning. It’s giving that inner child a win that they may have not experienced.”
This year’s show was a testament to Bozeman’s vibrant creative community—and the Deadly Daisies’ win was a shining example of what can happen when passion, community, and artistry come together. As the curtain closed on another Beast of Bozeman, one thing was clear: the talent in this town is only getting stronger.
