Seven-year-old Wyandotte resident Malia Berger was crowned Petite Miss Dance of Michigan at the Solo Title Scholarship Competition in Redford.

The January contest involved dancers from across the state who were judged in an interview and audition classes, as well as an onstage performance.

“I felt surprised and very happy,” Malia said, adding that she practices four days a week. “It is very hard.”

In July, the second-grade student at Jefferson Elementary School will head to a national competition in Anaheim, California, where she will represent Dance Masters of Michigan, Chapter 4.

Malia will compete against top dancers from across the nation for the title of Petite Miss Dance of America in a 10-day experience that includes a personal interview with the judges, audition classes in tap, ballet, jazz, and acrobatics, as well as an onstage performance.

She will be competing against other seven- to nine-year-old students from across the country who were also selected at Petite Miss Dance competitions for their region. In addition to the competition portion, Malia will attend seven days of convention classes that consist of daily four-hour training in a variety of dance styles.

Malia began her dance training three years ago at the In Focus Dance Center in Wyandotte. The studio is in its 15th year of providing dance instruction to Downriver residents ages three and older, including adults.

Malia currently takes tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, ballet, and a combination of acrobatics and dance at In Focus.

“She has the most amazing teachers that are caring, talented and a positive influence in Malia's life,” her grandmother, Jane Hilyer, said.

Malia is a second-year member of the Convergence Dance Company, the studio’s competitive team. Malia’s winning solo is a moving lyrical piece to the song “Somewhere Out There” choreographed by In Focus instructor Jayda Powell, who also choreographed Malia’s solo.

Malia lives in Wyandotte with her mother, grandmother and seven siblings.

In Focus prides itself in nurturing well-rounded dancers, providing them with a technical background and an appreciation for the art in a friendly environment with age-appropriate music, costumes and choreography, according to owner Yvonne Diaz, who grew up in the Downriver area.

Diaz began dancing at In Focus, which was Marcia Aller’s School of Dance, at the time. She is professionally certified by examination through Dance Masters of Michigan/America and is also a certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor. Diaz has performed and studied extensively in both New York City and Los Angeles.