Young dancers showcased their talents on a professional stage alongside hundreds of other students. Photo: Department of Education.
Students have embraced the spotlight as part of an annual Illawarra institution bringing together professional performance and confidence building, with hundreds taking to the stage for the 38th South Coast Public Schools Dance Festival.
It’s a stage that’s been shared by world-renowned talent and elite performing arts companies, and now young people from the Illawarra and Shoalhaven have had their turn front and centre during an annual four-day festival of dance at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.
“Over 500 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 took part in this year’s festival which provided an opportunity for students to work towards a quality performance in a professional venue,” Dance Festival Co-ordinator Louise Morgan said.
“The festival showcased these students in 10 diverse performance program events throughout the week. The programs highlighted the range of styles explored through the study of dance in our public schools.”
The students came from 26 schools from Austinmer to Nowra, with 46 items making up the program.
“The dance items were based on strong themes, with students displaying a compelling idea utilising a range of music styles and movements that feature many memorable moments,” Louise said.
Student and teachers spend months pulling together the dances, with some of the performers pushing for careers on the stage and others exploring their first experience in the spotlight.
Dancers were from Kindergarten to Year 12, with different experiences and paths in the performing arts. Photo: Department of Education.
While some exceptional dancers wowed the audiences, the confidence and storytelling through movement from even the newest performers captivated supportive crowds of family and friends.
This year students came from eight high schools: at Albion Park, Dapto, Kanahooka, Keira, Nowra, Smith’s Hill, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts and Woonona and 18 primary schools: at Austinmer, Bomaderry, Corrimal East, Fairy Meadow Demonstration, Figtree, Gerringong, Hayes Park, Illaroo Road, Jamberoo, Kemblawarra, Para Meadows School, Pleasant Heights, Shellharbour, Tarrawanna, Thirroul, Unanderra, Waniora and Wollongong West.
Thousands of students have stood in their shoes in previous years, with the rare experience becoming a rite of passage for young people in the region.
And the skills gained extend beyond dance ability, with the teamwork and determination to step on the stage helping them grow as people.
“These performances are underpinned by technical training, stamina, creativity, confidence, cooperation, and respect for one another fostered by their dedicated and talented teachers,” Louise said.
For information and photos from the South Coast Dance Festival visit the Department of Education website.
