By Chelsea Thomas.

Kati Smasne, 16, never dreamed she would win the first global competition of Dance Upon A Dream, a new online dance competition founded by international performer and judge Joshua Horner.

Horner, a judge for Dancing with the Stars Australia and a choreographic consultant for Disney, launched the competition alongside co-host Emily Loftiss, professional dancer, singer and choreographer, to offer competitive dancers a place to compete on an international scale without ever leaving the comfort of their homes.

Smasne was just one of hundreds of dancers to apply under the ‘senior’ division (16 years old or older), with the other divisions being ‘mini’ (7-10 years old), ‘junior’ (11-12 years old) and ‘teen’ (13-15 years old). She said she was “amazed” and “overwhelmed” when she found out she was awarded the Solo Ultimate Overall Winner. Her submission, titled “White Blank Page”, was a video of her dancing a contemporary solo choreographed by her friend Rile Reavis at the competition Dance Magic in Oregon in August 2012.

“I honestly couldn’t even believe I won and that now I’m going to study in New York at Broadway Dance Center. I come from a small town so it’s just amazing. I feel so lucky,” Smasne said.

Smasne was a standout to judge Elizabeth Parkinson who remarked, “Kati represents my favorite kind of dancer! She has a strong technical foundation with a dynamic plié and beautiful line. On top of that she is a performer and fantastic mover so rather than focusing on her technique we get to enjoy the pure joy of her personality!” Judge Peter Gregus of Jersey Boys on Broadway said, “Kati has unerring technique, which she doesn’t let overshadow her presence in her performance. She manages a beautiful marriage of both.”

Young Kati even caught the eye of judge Christopher Gattelli, Tony Award winning choreographer of Disney’s Newsies, who expressed, “Kati is a beautiful dancer with incredible facility and her own unique quality, that shows fantastic potential.  She was the perfect choice to represent Dance Upon A Dream’s premiere overall winner.”

Smasne, who has been awarded a three-month scholarship to attend Broadway Dance Center, has big dreams that come from humble origins. She was raised for most of her life in Spokane, Washington, a medium-sized city of about 200,000 residents. At age seven, she began dancing with her older sister, which spurred her on because of their “sisterly competitiveness.” While her sister eventually stopped dancing, Kati kept going, taking jazz and later ballet.

“When I was young I discovered I really loved dancing. I loved being on stage. My dance teacher told me that if I wanted to get better I should take ballet. Soon after, I started,” Smasne said.

Kati Smasne. Photos by Scott Martinez Photography

Kati began her ballet training at the Ballet School of Coeur d’Alene under owner and instructor Ceci Klein, who danced with American Ballet Theatre in the 1950s and 60s. For almost a decade, Klein has been guiding and teaching Smasne, providing her foundational technique and poise. Klein, who also instructed Andrea Cooper, who went on to be a dancer at Oregon Ballet Theatre, also encouraged Smasne to pursue additional summer training and intensives.

For two summers Smasne participated in Pacific Northwest Ballet’s student intensives. She said, “I really loved that and I knew from that I wanted to be a dancer.” Another experience that inspired her and stayed with her for years was her young participation in the musical CATs. Now, Smasne says her attention is on getting to Broadway and finding her niche in jazz or theatre.

“In the last two years my focus has been on jazz and theatre because I really enjoy it,” Smasne said. “I’ve come to realise my personality is geared toward jazz – being sassy and expressive. I like the freedom of being able to make a piece my own.”

In her Dance Upon A Dream submission, Smasne’s passion for jazz and theatre is evident in her obvious, theatrical expressions and her exposed, vulnerable emotions. The work, originally a duet restaged to be a solo, shows off her excellent technique, undeniable vision, charismatic energy and balanced self-confidence.

And her self-confidence is merited. It seems everything Smasne does she does well. A high school junior with a 4.0 GPA, Kati juggles her dance schedule with attending college classes. She is on track to finish her associate’s degree at the same time she graduates from high school. She plans to pursue nursing when she can no longer dance or perform.

Smasne’s jazz instructor, Judy Reavis of the studio Dance Unlimited, said she is proud of Kati’s award.

“We are thrilled at the opportunities Kati will receive as the winner of Dance Upon a Dream. Ceci Klein and I are very proud of Kati. We celebrate her commitment and dedication to the art of dance. It has been a blessing to witness her passion for movement and to nurture her gift,” Reavis said.

After recently competing at New York City Dance Alliance in Portland, Oregon, Smasne now looks forward to preparing for her summer at Broadway Dance Center.

For other dancers looking to compete for this chance with Dance Upon a Dream, the process has been created to be as easy as possible. It’s as simple as uploading a video of a solo, partner or group piece from a dance competition to youTube, selecting an age division and performance category on the Dance Upon a Dream website, and copying and pasting the video link from YouTube to the competition website. For more information, visit www.danceuponadream.com.

Whereas other dance competitions provide dancers with a sense of where they place in their state, their region or their country, Dance Upon a Dream allows participants to see where they rank throughout the whole world. Smasne said she is so thankful for a competition like Dance Upon a Dream.

“Thanks so much to Dance Upon a Dream for the amazing opportunity they have given me. I am so excited to train in New York at Broadway Dance Center. Wow, a dream come true,” Smasne gushed.

Dance Upon a Dream and its array of world-class industry judges, offers various awards for all solo, duo/trio and group winners, including partial scholarships to the Hollywood Summer Tour, a Just Dance 4 game from UBISOFT or a Dance Upon a Dream One’Z to wear. Group winners will also receive a personal invite to the Dance The Magic showcase on Broadway this summer, as well as Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris and Disneyland Hong Kong.

Smasne said dancers should not underestimate the importance of competition in challenging and inspiring themselves.

“It pushes you to be better,” she summarized. “When you compete, you have to be much more refined. Everything has to be disciplined and perfect, so you work harder. You never know where that extra effort or exposure will take you.”

To see Kati’s winning entry visit www.danceuponadream.com/entry/10129.

Entries opened for the next round of Dance Upon A Dream on January 31st. Get your entry in now!

Dance Upon A Dream Season 1 Winners:

Ultimate Winner: Kati Smasne, USA

People’s Choice: Kloe Burke, Australia

Judges Choice: Rhiannon Tringas, Australia
Judges Choice: Harrison Lee, Australia
Judges Choice: Michael Dameski, Australia
Judges Choice: Michelle Quiner, USA
Judges Choice: Maddison Weiley, Australia
Judges Choice: Cassandra Clarke, Australia
Judges Choice: Kelly Webster, New Zealand
Judges Choice: Kayla-Maree Tarantolo, Australia

Mini – Solo – Musical Theatre: Isabel Lacon , USA
Mini – Solo – Lyrical/ Contemporary: Shontaya Smedley, Australia
Mini – Solo- Ballet: Ashleigh Brant, Australia
Mini – Solo – Hip Hop: Manaia Davies, Australia
Mini – Solo – Jazz: Tia Buell, USA
Mini – Solo – Acro/ specialty: Lexie Brown, Canada
Mini – Solo – Tap: Grace Gellie, Australia
Mini – Boys Award: Ashton Schier-Mason, Australia
Mini – Duo/ Trio – Jazz: Alex Burghardt, Meredith Page, Skylar Podziewski, USA
Mini – Duo /Trio – Acro / Specialty: Kailin and Lexie Brown, Canada
Mini - Duo Trio - Lyrical/ Cont: Grace Gellie and Brooke Ainsworth, Australia
Mini – Duo/ Trio – Tap: Grace Gellie and Shanae Holland, Australia
Mini – Duo/ Trio – Musical Th: Cody Ettingshausen & Sophie Piggott, Australia
Mini -Small Group- Hip hop: Zyannna, Xeryus, Justine, Amik,
Alexias, Kaylinda, Dominique, Canada

Junior –  Solo – Jazz: Clare Billson, Australia
Junior – solo – Lyrical/ Cont: Sophia Kaloudis, Australia
Junior – Solo- Ballet: Madison Ayton, Australia
Junior – Solo – Tap: Rudi Palmela, Australia
Junior -Hip Hop – Solo: Chantelle Redzeposki, Australia
Junior – Solo -Musical Th: Hamish Briggs, Australia
Junior – Solo – Acro/ Specialty: Kailin Brown, Canada
Junior – Large Group – Lyrical: Sans Souci Public School, Australia
Junior – Duo/ Trio – Hip Hop: Chantelle Redzeposki, Claudia and Chelsea Robertson, Australia
Junior – Duo/ Trio – Lyrical/ cont: Harley Rodrigue, Mackenzie Van Natta, Darian Callais, USA
Junior – Duo /Trio – Jazz: Jemima Smith and Laurence Neuhaus, Australia
Junior – Boys award: Hamish Briggs, Australia

Teen – Solo – Jazz: Marie Spieldenner, USA
Teen – Solo – Lyrical/Contemporary: Kloe Burke, USA
Teen – Solo – Tap: Zoe Barbera, Australia
Teen – Solo – Musical Theatre: Rachel Moore, Australia
Teen – Solo – Hip Hop: Carla Celesti, Australia
Teen – Solo – Acro/ Specialty: Megha Budhrani, FL
Teen – Duo/ Trio – Musical Theatre: Jason Kidd and Kiarra Vacek, USA
Teen – Duo/ Trio – Lyrical /Cont: Briana Collova & Nicholas Cruse, Australia
Teen – Duo/ Trio – Tap: Matiu and Marie Samuel, New Zealand
Teen Boys Award: Thomas Dilley, Australia
Teen – Small Group -Hip Hop: Madison, Rachelle, Jordan, Migo, Jasmine, Paige, Cassandra, Canada
Teen – Small Group – Lyrical/ Cont: The McDonald College, Australia
Teen-  Large Group –Jazz: RG DANCE, Australia
Teen – Large Group – Ballet: The McDonald College, Australia

Senior – Solo- Acro/ Specialty: Samantha Rybka, Australia
Senior – Solo – Hip Hop: Axel-Roman Allioux, Canada
Senior – Solo- Lyrical/ Cont: Kati Smasne, USA
Senior – Solo- Jazz: Emma Swannie, Australia
Senior – Solo – Tap: Kiana Smith, Canada
Senior – Solo – Musical Theatre: Kiana Smith, Canada
Senior – Large Group – Acro/ Specialty: Lee Academy, Australia
Senior Boys Award: Matt Antonucci, Australia
Senior – Duo/ Trio -Jazz: Tasmin & Eliza Cummins, Australia
Senior Duo/ Trio – Lyrical / Cont: Meg Scheffers and Tiffany Browne, Australia

For the past 31 years, Rock Eisteddfod Challenge^® has proven to be an excellent tool to raise awareness of the benefits associated with living healthy, loving life and chasing your dreams. This year is no different – with Rock Eisteddfod Challenge^® moving into its 32^nd year of nurturing the lives of students through performing arts. The 2012 tour launched in Hobart in July, then visited Brisbane, and is now heading to Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and finishing up in Adelaide in September.

Debra Ferguson, the Assistant Principal at MacKillop Catholic College in Warnervale on the Central Coast, has been involved in Rock Eisteddfod Challenge^® since the 1980’s and has seen her fair share of inspiring and aspiring students build confidence and achieve things they thought weren’t initially possible as a result of the event.

MacKillop Catholic College is positioned in an area that faces many challenges including some 3^rd generation unemployment. No student, however, is ever denied a place in their Rock team if there are financial problems. MacKillop budget to participate in RAW™ Division every 2^nd year so that students may fundraise for the event. “This year we needed to once again raise money for RAW™ but we wanted to raise money in healthy ways. In the past we had sold chocolates but we really wanted to send out more positive messages about lifestyle and healthy living, so we had to come up with other ways.” Debra said.

Mackillop Catholic College are continuing to build upon their community spirit through their fundraising tactics, getting everyone involved as the roles of Rock Eisteddfod Challenge^® are reversed – the teachers become the performers whilst the students get to direct their very first talent quest, ‘Teachers Got Talent.’ Usually a student talent quest is hosted every year, but never have the staff competed…. until now!

Students rehearse for Rock Eisteddfod Challenge

“The students will pay to be the audience and will supply the judges. The entry fee will be very affordable with lucky door prizes. We all hope to have a lot of fun, raise money and continue to grow the great community spirit at the college.”

Debra continues to invest in the concept and choreography for the college’s RAW™ performances and she now works with her daughter, Kate, who was a lead dancer in Rock Eisteddfod Challenge^® for two years and now freelances as a dance teacher. Now 27 years old, Kate was just three years of age when her mother first became involved in Rock Eisteddfod Challenge^®. The mother and daughter have lived and breathed the event for many years, with their passion becoming infectious to students as the pair work together to help the love of dance grow in the school and community.

Building from small beginnings, MacKillop Catholic College now have a Boys Dance Troupe of 28, two Primary Troupes and three Secondary Troupes performing Jazz, Contemporary and Lyrical dances. When participating in Rock Eisteddfod Challenge^® RAW™ Division two years ago, MacKillop made the Final. The Boys Troupe in particular have flourished, winning two major eisteddfods in the Jazz section this year and even performing at the Opera House.

With dance having a high profile at the school, students are keener than ever to be part of Rock Eisteddfod Challenge^® with the event providing an outlet for expression. The students are rehearsing hard again this year for RAW™ and are looking forward to another fantastic experience.

Ryan Morgan, who plays Centre for Parramatta Eels, was part of Rock Eisteddfod Challenge^® at MacKillop Catholic College when he was in Year 12. He was persuaded to join by some of his friends but he also wanted to learn to dance and felt that the dance training might also help his footwork when playing Rugby League. “He became one of our most enthusiastic participants.” Debra said. “We were also very chuffed when we competed after he left the school and found Ryan and another ex-student in the audience”. The fact that past students like Ryan want to continue their association and support of both the school and Rock Eisteddfod Challenge^® speaks volumes.

“The most inspiring thing is not just watching the students who already dance and love Rock Eisteddfod Challenge^®, but also seeing students who have come along just to be part of something. So many come a little reluctantly, dragged by their friends, and then discover how much fun it is. To watch the absolute excitement and the desire to do well and make us all proud on the day of the event is something that you never forget.

Tickets for this year’s Rock Eisteddfod Challenge^® are on sale now!
Visit www.rockchallenge.com.au/ticket-info/buy-tickets for more information.

By Dolce Fisher.

Sydney Opera House
July 22 2012

What another successful year for the McDonald’s Ballet Scholarship, held by Sydney Eisteddfod! Once again an array of young talent graced the Opera House stage competing for individual and jazz troupe honours.

If you are not familiar with the amazing opportunities that are associated with the scholarship the overall Ballet Scholarship winner receives a prize of $18,000 and the runner up takes home a prize of $12,000. Both dancers also receive a photographic portfolio sponsored by WinkiPoP Media, Bloch Vouchers and the amazing opportunity to take class and view rehearsals with many of the world’s leading companies.  These prizes help propel the young talent into exciting careers in dance.

Kelsey Stokes as Giselle

After judges Rani Luther and Colin Peasley viewed 144 entrants and went through a tedious process of elimination, they chose just six finalists that continued into the final classes and then performed at the Sydney Opera House where the Australian Ballet’s David McAllister joined the judging panel.

This year’s outright winner was the gorgeous Kelsey Stokes. Currently based in Queensland, she is a student of Prudence Bowen Atelier. Originally from New Zealand, her whole family showed their support for Kelsey’s dreams by relocating to Australia just so she could study under Miss Bowen’s guidance.  This move definitely paid off! Kelsey performed her classical solo, Giselle’s Variation Act 1, with a gentle innocence and an enormous amount of control and her contemporary solo showed her versatility.

Runner up, Aaron Kok, hailing from McDonald College’s Australian International Ballet Academy in Sydney, was well deserving of second place. He showed the most maturity of the male finalists. In his variation, ‘Prince Desire’ from Act 3 of Sleeping Beauty, he showed much elevation. His contemporary solo was also strong with wonderful expression that made him a stand out amongst his male counterparts.

As the evening is somewhat of a gala performance, the packed Concert Hall also enjoyed the Open Age Jazz Finals and a series of guest performances selected from this year’s dance eisteddfods.

Aaron Kok performs contemporary

The Jazz Finals made for a tough competition with every group packing the stage with dancers in tight unison. There were a couple of more creative performances from Paws and Ev & Bow, but unfortunately creativity didn’t seem to be what the judges were after this year. All the place getters were what you’d usually expect from a large group competition performance: kicks, leaps, turns and way too much acrobatics.

First place was awarded to Brent Street Group B for their piece Control and Village Performing Arts Group A came in second. Their tight, fast choreography was packed with great moments and was very entertaining. Third place was awarded to the Newcastle’s National College of Dance.

Dubbo Ballet Studio

The guest performances were packed with young talent. The Dance Spot gave a delightful ballet performance to Tchaikovsky’s Serenade.  Winners of the Open Age Lyrical Group dance division, Dance Junction, gave us a taste of our Anzac history with Only 19 and North Shore Prep School made everyone giggle with their hip hop number. From the student performances, the highlight was Dubbo Ballet Studio’s open contemporary group dance inspired and set to music from the movie, Mrs. Pettigrew Lives for a Day. It was full of fun and laughs and was very entertaining. The choreography came across as though it was quite simple, yet it actually had much detail.

Former scholarship winner Stephanie Hancox, now dancer with the Bavarian State Ballet, performed an excerpt from The Taming of the Shrew with partner Matej Urban. Both performed their character roles wonderfully and it was well received by the audience. With the evening somewhat of a gala it may have been nice to see a piece of repertoire that had a bit more bravado.

The Scholarship’s experience and exposure definitely helped propel Stephanie Hancox into her dream as a dancer and Australia should be proud to be exporting dancers of such a high standard. We hope that this year’s winners and finalists will be just as successful.

Top photo: 2012 Sydney Eisteddfod McDonald’s Ballet Scholarships finalists. Back row: Kenji Wilkie (Alegria Studios, NSW), Brydee Lyttle (Christine Walsh, VIC), Charlotte Price (Sonja Shepherd,WA), Laura Atencio (Tanya Pearson, NSW), Aaron Kok (McDonald College, NSW). Front row: Kelsey Stokes (Prudence Bowen, QLD), Liam Morris (Christine Walsh, VIC) and Robyn Begg (Beth James, WA)

Krumping is one of hip hop’s more vibrant and controversial dance styles and Darrio Phillips is one of its big hitters, organising this month’s big Clash event.

By Paul Ransom.

Words like ‘inspirational’ and ‘incredible’ are far too easy to toss around in this age of adrenalised hype we find ourselves marooned in; but every now and then you meet someone who genuinely deserves the epithets.

Cue Darrio Phillips, the 59yo lifelong street dancer and the man behind the country’s biggest krump event, Clash of the States. In a culture dominated by loud-mouthed boys and maligned for its glamourisation of violence and misogyny, Phillips is hard to ignore. If Dance Informa was a music mag we’d be calling him Australia’s Godfather of Street.

However, as Phillips would no doubt jump to point out, he is not the story. July 21’s Clash event will bring together the country’s best krump exponents to battle and be inspired, because, like most hip hop styles, krump has its roots in the struggle for liberation. Born of the notorious barrios of south central LA, krump was first ignited by Christian ‘praise’ dancing. Indeed its very name tells something of its evolution: Kingdom Radically Uplifted Mighty Praise. In secular Sydney, however, American born Darrio Phillips has taken the form to a broader base.

Darrio Phillips

As a thirty year veteran of street dancing, Phillips remains as passionate today as when he first arrived in this country in 1981 with just $300 and an ability to breakdance. His love of krumping is just the latest manifestation of his commitment to dance.

“Most of the hip hop dancing you see is freestyle, so it gives you the chance to be you,” he explains. “I was attracted to that because it gave me a sense of freedom. It let me be ‘the act’.”

According to Phillips, krumping takes that improvisational spirit a step further. “The dance changes every day, so when you dance in a certain way you’ve gotta change it, you’ve gotta enjoy the journey,” he elaborates. “Some people want accomplishment but I like the journey of putting it together.”

With its stomping, chest pops and arm swings, krumping is often considered angry, and even self-righteous. Here, Phillips insists, an important distinction is being missed. “People say it’s an angry dance; but it’s not ‘anger’. It’s like; if you’re an angry person it’s how you express yourself,” he argues.

In fact, as Phillips duly notes, krump choreography was also inspired by the moves of Michael Jackson. “That’s why Fred Astaire said to Michael Jackson ‘you’re an angry dancer’. It’s not that you hate people, it’s just how you come out.”

All arguments aside, street dancing has clearly come a long way from its frequently disenfranchised roots. At fifty nine, Darrio Phillips ponders his many years spent dancing and teaching the various styles that make up the hip hop family. “When I first came into street dancing people hated it because there was nothing but jazz dancing and ballet. They thought it was garbage; now it’s everywhere. It’s the same for krump. People hated it; but it’s like I say – ‘if you stick at it and it’s the truth, people will come round’.”

That word, truth, features heavily in Phillips’ vernacular. For him the philosophy of ‘the battle’ is more about personal growth than simple victory. “A lotta guys say, ‘I don’t battle you to beat you, I battle you to be better than I was’.”

Nonetheless, The Clash event will feature judging and genuine competition as more than sixty dancers from around the country gather to battle it out in front of one of krump’s founding fathers, LT Rapture. “The thing is, if you battle somebody it doesn’t only come from the judges it actually comes from your opponent, because your opponent has to be honest and say that he lost,” Phillips says. “Y’know, if he argues with that, what he’s doin’ basically is arguing with the truth; and when you argue with the truth it stops your growth. If you don’t take a beatin’ how are you gonna grow?”

All of this fits neatly with krump’s freestyle ethos. As Phillips points out, “If you do jazz or ballet it’s all about the lines and how you look, whereas with freestyle it’s not about that, it’s about you, about where you come from. With krump we don’t rehearse in front of mirrors because it’s about a feeling; an energy.”

Energy is certainly something that Phillips possesses. With a proud history that includes popularising street dance in this country (through numerous TV appearances and coaching the likes of Peter Andre and Jason Coleman), and working as a motivational speaker, he has done the whole nine yards and then some.

“Some people say they were pioneers but me, I was just working. I was just keeping it together, trying to work and have fun,” he recalls. “Kids say, ‘you taught me how to dance’ and I say, ‘no, you wanted to dance, you had it in you, I just told you it was okay to do it’.”

While some will no doubt scratch their heads and wonder what could possibly keep a 59yo interested in a young man’s dance, Darrio Phillips remains clear. “I keep reinventing myself constantly,” he concludes. “I always look for things that I haven’t done. I’m inspired by things I’ve never done. I mean, when I was 21 I would never have known where I would be when I was 59.”

All of which makes you wonder where he will be when he’s ninety nine!

Clash of The States
Date: Saturday July 21
Venue: The Granville Youth and Recreation Centre
www.facebook.com/darrio.phillips

Showcase National Dance Championships will increase its national tour this season to include up to 18 Regionals. With a massive prize pool of over $85,000 up for grabs this year, the search is on for the next generation of the nation’s TOP dance studios. Who will be it be?

They have reached out once again and invited more dance studios this year to give them the chance to win the title of “Australia’s next TOP Dance Studio”. Apart from the fantastic cash prize of $5,000 to the TOP winning group it also gives the studio national recognition for its outstanding efforts.

The Gold Coast National Finals, held annually at Jupiter’s Casino, have always offered many opportunities to dance schools, including the ever popular Summer Dance Workshops held during the event and the Battle of the Star Show held on the last day, which has the best of the best dance schools in the nation compete for the overall titles.

Jupiter’s Showroom has just undergone a 20 million dollar upgrade and the dancers at Nationals this year will be having the opportunity to perform in the best and newest performance venue in Australia.

Showcase has always been the leader in offering massive prizes and this past year was no exception. There were not only the four Dancer of the Year trips to the USA and Canada awarded, but there were also trips presented to dance teachers which included an all expenses shopping trip to Bangkok. Three dance teachers were also awarded the pinnacle prize to attend the US Federation of Dance Competitions Gala show in Cancun Mexico.

Peter Oxford, the National Director of Showcase, has his sights on expanding the many opportunities for Dancers all over Australia by adding competitions in Darwin, the Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast and Newcastle this season, in addition to the ever popular cities such as Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane, Auckland and Christchurch.

Dance studios can enter solos, duo, trios and groups, in many forms of dance including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, ballet and hip hop.

Showcase attracts over 7,500 acts in any one season! There’s some amazing talent out there and you can be part of it!

Showcase looks forward to seeing some new studios at one of their 2012 regional cities as they travel around Australia and New Zealand.

Remember…Everyone’s a STAR at Showcase!

How to Enter
Dance schools and soloists wanting to be part of the Showcase Nationals must qualify with 85 points and over at one of the regional championships that are held in select cities across Australia and New Zealand.

Want more info?
The website www.showcasedance.com has complete information on the event, including entry forms and rules. The large cities do tend to fill before the closing date, but dancers are allowed to travel out of their own area to qualify in another city. National Finals dates are scheduled for January 14th -21st 2013 at Jupiter’s Casino.

Become a fan of Showcase on Facebook. www.facebook.com/showcasedance and check out our website for past competition results, videos of the Nationals and more.

Contact
Call (02) 9662-1598 or email dance@showcasedance.com with any questions

With landmark locations and the most spectacular dance fusion of Latin and street dance ever seen, the sequel to the global smash hit StreetDance is bigger, better, bolder and back ..in 3D.

To beat the world’s best dance crew, street dancer Ash (Falk Hentshel), with new friend  Eddie (George Sampson), sets off to gather the greatest street dancers from around Europe, falling in love with beautiful salsa dancer Eva (Sofia Boutella) in Paris.

Only at the movies April 19!

Win 1 of 10 Double Passes!
Just email info@danceinforma.com with subject: “Streetdance 3D” and tell us Why You Love to Dance.
Dance Informa’s Editors will pick the ten best responses to win.
Please include your full name, date of birth and postcode.

Competition is open until April 12.

Published by Dance Informa dance magazine – everything dance in Australia – dance news, dance auditions & dance events.

Dance Teachers – need a little inspiration this competition and eisteddfod season?

These costumes could be just what your dance troupe needs to get the attention of the judges. They can also double as gorgeous concert costumes.

The companies included in Dance Informa’s Inspiring Costume Guide are some of Australia’s best costume suppliers. Make sure to visit their websites and check out the range of designs and accessories.

Sydney Eisteddfod McDonald’s Dance of Champions

Science Theatre, University of New South Wales
September 11 2011

By Linda Badger.

Once again, Dance of Champions was a night to remember.  The best of the best from the dance sections of the Sydney Eisteddfod (20 dance troupes in total) competed for a People’s Choice Award and a Juror’s Vote, both worth $5000 prize money. 

In the audience we got the distinct feeling that we were watching the stars of the future. This year each talented troupe got to go home with at least $500 prize money, so everyone went home a winner regardless of the voting.  And winners they were, as we were treated to feast of exceptional dance across a variety of dance styles and ages from all the troupes.

McDonald College’s 12/U Classical Ballet group was full of youngsters with outstanding talent.  The young boys blew us away with their seemingly endless pirouettes (I think I saw at least 6 achieved at one point!), and the young girls had strength, grace, technical achievement and maturity for their age.  Shore Prep School’s all boys dance troupe was a personal favourite of mine, as their performance captured the energy and personality of the boys, and was a fun number to watch. Another highlight was Urban Dance Centre’s ‘Youth Dance Project’. They are always a very entertaining and mature troupe, with young dancers that not only understand how to compete, but how to grab an audience’s attention.

Dubbo Ballet Studio

Every once in a very rare while there is a dance item that seems to reach beyond the confines of competition or concert, an item that truly captures the soul of movement and music, and takes your breath away.  Dubbo Ballet Studio’s ‘The Last Gasp’ was a deserved winner of the People’s Choice Award.  The item was outstanding in so many ways.  The synergy of costume, props, choreography, music and passion created something unique and changed the atmosphere in the room. For a moment we were transported.  We weren’t necessarily aware of whether each dancer pointed their toes, or had perfect alignment, as the piece took us away from focusing on these things (not that the dancers were lacking at all). The work stayed true to where dance can take you, and in doing so, was truly captivating.   The dancers proved that you don’t always have to create an item with the latest death defying tricks, or fastest, multiple turns to capture your audience.  It is important to just create, in a way that really shows how beautiful dance can be.  Congratulations Dubbo Ballet Studio!

In another deserved win the Jurors Prize went to Dance Junction from Seven Hills for a tap number called ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ by Shayne Allen. It was a very entertaining and theatrical piece, and it was wonderful to see tap dance highlighted.

Ending off the night were the stunning vocals of Kelsi Boyden, the 15year old winner of multiple awards in the vocal section of the Eisteddfod. She is already a seasoned performer in her own right.    Kelsi is definitely one to watch. 

Dance of Champions was fun for all ages. If you didn’t make it to the night, don’t miss it on television – Sunday November 6 at 2:00pm, Channel 10.

By Regina Green

Each July, Geelong Dance Network in Victoria holds the Splash!dance Festival, including classes and workshops, showcases, and the Australian Choreographic Competition (ACC). Entrants to the competition compete in two categories – Category 1 (15-19 years) and Category 2 (19 years and over) – for a total prize pool of $4,500.

This year, ACC drew entrants from all over Australia, and one from New Zealand. Unfortunately, due to Tiger Airways cancelling several flights, a number of these participants, including the New Zealand choreographer, were forced to pull out.

The judging panel for this year’s competition included Chairperson Cheryl Brown, Ausdance National Director Julie Dyson and tertiary arts educator and researcher, Rosemary Bennett. For the Category 1 submissions, they were on the lookout for the following criteria: varying use of space (levels and pathways), varying use of time (tempo, rhythm and accent), varying use of energy, complexity of movement vocabulary and a logical development of content. For Category 2, they looked for clarity of intent, originality of movement vocabulary, spatial organisation, complexity of rhythmic range and complexity of dynamic range.

The winner of Category 1 and Category 2 respectively, took home $1,500 and $2,000, while the runner up in each category won $500. The audience also had the chance to vote for their favourite piece. The choreographer with the most votes in each category took home some dance supplies.

Category 1
1^st:  Nicholas Maguire (Victoria)
Runner Up: Miranda Pertzel (New South Wales)
People’s Choice: Brittany Page (Victoria) and Michael Ramsey (Victoria)

Category 2
1^st: Carmelo Mantarro (Victoria) 
Runner Up: Marissa Yeo (Victoria)
Honourable Mention: Erin Tunbridge (Queensland)
People’s Choice: David Denis (New South Wales)

$5,000 will be awarded to the dance studio who can present the best 7 ½ min production number!

Showcase National Dance Championships, now in its 18^th season, will award this prize along with a grand total of $65,000 in cash awards and prizes during the entire season.

They have reached out and invited more dance studios this year to give them the chance to win the title of “Australia’s next TOP Dance Studio” and the interest has been overwhelming. Apart from the fantastic cash prize of $5,000 it also gives the studio national recognition for its outstanding efforts.

The Gold Coast National Finals, held annually at Jupiter’s Casino, have always offered many opportunities to dance schools, including the ever popular Summer Dance Workshops held during the event and the Battle of the Star Show held on the last day which has the best of the best dance schools in the nation compete for the overall titles.

Showcase is also now offering a petite 8 & under Dancer of the Year prize. This makes a total of four Dancer of the Year prizes up for grabs in four age groups: petite 8 under, junior 9 to 11 years, pre teen 12 to 14 yrs and senior divisions 15 to 19 yrs, with trips to the USA and Canada for the solo winners.

The Dancer of the Year Pageant is now in its 17^th year. As it is linked with the American and Canadian Dance Championships, the pageant has seen numerous dancers fly over to Australia to attend the Showcase Nationals. The Canadian competition (held in Prince Rupert, British Columbia) is very exciting as it offers over $55,000 in cash and our Australian Dancers of the Year have been known to win over $3,000 at this event alone just for their solos!

Peter Oxford, the National Director of Showcase, has just returned from judging the Canadian Dancer of the Year and will see their Junior and Senior winners, along with the American winners, attend our Nationals this coming January.

Showcase attracts hundreds of dance schools each year with over 7,500 acts in any one season! There’s some amazing talent out there and you can be part of it!

Showcase looks forward to seeing some new studios at one of our 2011 regional cities as we travel on our 18th anniversary tour around Australia and New Zealand.

And Remember…Everyone’s a STAR at Showcase!

How to Enter
Dance schools and soloists wanting to be part of the Showcase Nationals must qualify at one of the regional championships that are held in select cities across Australia and New Zealand. These include Brisbane, Hobart, Perth, Sydney, Bundaberg, Lismore, Canberra, Wollongong, Christchurch, Central Coast and Melbourne.

Want more info?
The website www.showcasedance.com has complete information on the event, including entry forms and rules. Our large cities do tend to fill before the closing date, but dancers are allowed to travel out of their own area to qualify in another city. National Finals dates are scheduled for January 17^th -23^rd 2012.

Become a fan of Showcase on Facebook. www.facebook.com/showcasedance

Contact
Call (02) 9662-1598 or email dance@showcasedance.com with any questions

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