Concert success

Ararat Dance Centre is celebrating a successful sixth annual concert, at Horsham Town Hall.

Director-principal Karly Harris said it was pleasing to see the audience so appreciative of the ‘wonderful’ items that covered all genres of dance.

She thanked students and parents for their commitment and support to present the concert in Horsham this year, along with town hall staff.

“It was a massive day, but wow, what a performance,” she said.

“I have received so many wonderful comments on the professionalism of our show.”

Miss Harris said the opening number, ‘Dancin’ Fool’ – a high-energy jazz item involving 30 students – set the scene for what was to follow and had the audience clapping and cheering.

“Our jazz and hip-hop items show the versatility of our teaching in jazz, allowing our students to experience the diverse range from Broadway to commercial to hip hop,” she said.

The youngest students drew the attention of the audience with their performances of The Ugly Duckling and ABC jazz.

“It is always pleasing to see the youngest students perform their first concert. The audience always love them,” Miss Harris said.

Ballet items featured classical, neo, contemporary and lyrical troupes and a character ballet.

“Our classical troupes in their superb tutus performed beautifully and our adult ballet group combined admirably with some of our youngest groups to present Flower Festival,” Miss Harris said.

She said the audience was blown away by neo and contemporary items.

“Ararat Dance Centre students are extremely fortunate to be exposed to a variety of modern ballet genres,” she said.

“Miss Kristy is a very creative choreographer and never ceases to amaze us with her intricate and innovative routines.

“Our tap routines are rhythmical, energetic and interesting. From our youngest tap students who execute the basic skills to our senior students who perform more complex steps and movements, the audience was amazed at the student’s tapping abilities.”

Miss Harris said she was proud of all the tappers and what they achieved.

“Our adults love their tap and our classes are very popular,” she said.

“We have two groups, so we can cater for the range of abilities and our experienced group performs at eisteddfods.”

“Our ‘Boys Club’ is always appreciated by the audience and this year presented two items – We Will Rock You, an innovative tap number showing their tapping skills, and Space Jam, a creative hip-hop number which allowed each individual to show tricks they had learned.”

Miss Harris said the school’s musical theatre items were fun and ‘performed splendidly’.

“These classes play a vital role in honing performance skills, allowing students to develop singing, acting and dance skills,” she said.

“Our youngest group presented Let Me Entertain You; our intermediate group dressed in brightly coloured robes rocked out a Sister Act medley and our senior students performed a Cabaret medley.

“An emotional solo performance by Madeleine Vernon of her contemporary, Wicked Game, and a bright and technical classical solo by Madison Potter showed what individual students can achieve with consistent and dedicated tuition.”

Ararat Dance Centre is open for enrolments for 2018.

People can email karlyharris@bigpond.com or message the Ararat Dance Centre Facebook page for more information or to enrol.