DAPR Media

Dance is the Word - Recital 2007

Dance is the Word� winds up another successful season

Brooke Ward photo Dance Academy of Prince Rupert students gather on the stage at the end of their recital. For more photos, visit the photo gallery at www.thenorthernview.com.

By Shaun Thomas
The Northern View
Jun 06 2007

Consider it a fait accompli, another successful season come and gone for dancers at the Dance Academy of Prince Rupert. The local dancers raked in the hardware over the course of the year, the groups and individuals placing more than 170 times throughout four festivals.

Wrapping up the season last Friday night, they brought home the dances that earned them nods and appreciation everywhere in their recital �Dance is the Word.� From the youngest ballerinas to the adult ballet class, everyone performed with energy and enthusiasm. Colourful costumes, recognizable music and original choreography combined for an evening that was full of variety.

With Jewel Campbell guiding the show from her job as MC, the audience took a trip through time, dazzled by the classical, reminiscing to the sounds of the 80�s, even enjoying a new millennium Macarena. Interspersed with skits poking fun at themselves as well as pregnant and aging but agile teachers, the dancers enjoyed themselves and amused the crowd.

Lacking the finesse and flexibility of the rest of the evening�s performers, the bantam rep hockey team was still an audience favorite, waving their arms and swiveling their hips through a cross-training routine that the giggling crowd very much appreciated.

At the end of the evening Dance Academy owner Teresa Mackereth took the opportunity to recognize some of her dancers saying, �I get such a feeling of pride and joy when I see my dancers perform.�

Cassidy Campbell, Hannah Graham and Katherine Spilsted were all recognized for Best Attendance, while Denise Robb, Madison Verde, and Austyn Verissimo received recognition for Best Attitude. Ty Cronck, Paige Farwell, Charmaine Gibson, Charlotte Ibbetson, and Sarah McGovern were amongst the most improved while Richelle Meadows received the �Missy Award� from her hip hop teacher for always pushing herself. Meadows, along with Spilsted, Keyara Semeschuck, and graduating student Alaura Bruce were all also thanked for their dedication as student teachers.

The Dance Academy of Prince Rupert will be winding up their season this Friday evening with their year-end recital, �Dance is the Word�, at the Lester Centre of the arts at seven p.m.

Featuring a variety of ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, song and dance and even some acting the dancers, ranging in age from three to 63, will perform solos, and small and large group dances to music from the entire spectrum, from classical to hip hop, with a hint of 80�s.

�We really wanted to show how dance can be for absolutely anyone and everyone...This is why the studio opted to forgo the traditional story or full-length ballet in favor of a theme allowing for more variety and flexibility to really demonstrate the unique qualities of the studio and its dancers,� said teacher Shannon Vallee.

�Dance is our unifying theme. We really want to emphasize that dance is for everyone. The world is full of dance and there is no specific age or type of person. Anyone can learn to dance and enjoy it. This is really a celebration of that.�

63-year old Uriah Orr will be the oldest participant in the recital, having competed this year and placed several times with his solo.

A group of brave young hockey players will also be sharing the stage for a small portion of the evening, performing the warm up dance they learned during the cross-training they did at the studio throughout the season.

The recital will also be an opportunity for the recreational dancers to strut their stuff on stage.

�For the most part, this is their big chance to perform,� said Vallee.

�We�ve got rehearsals all week and the kids are very much looking forward to the recital.�

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