SC tap dancers to compete in Aussie

Two young South Canterbury dancers have been rehearsing for hours nearly every day since October ahead of tough competitions in Australia.

Tap dancers Nevaeh Butcher,7, and Mya Baxter,9, will compete with 4500 other dancers at the Australian Showcase National Finals on the Gold Coast over the next two weeks.

While the Hayley Butcher Dance Studio pupils were allowed a ‘‘little bit of a rest’’ over the Christmas period, tutor Hayley Butcher said the pair have been rehearsing with her intensely since October, and have been putting in additional hours of practise at home on their own.

‘‘It’s been full on ... every day we’re down here, every single day,’’ Butcher said.

‘‘They’ve put the effort in, lots of effort.

Pleasant Point Primary School pupil Mya said she has been learning tap dance for four years. She will compete in four events at the diamond level of the junior age range, and said she was both ‘‘excited and nervous’’ about the event.

Temuka Primary School Pupil Nevaeh has been learning tap dance for three years, and will compete in six events at the elite level of the petite age range.

Butcher said the elite section would be a ‘‘tough group’’ to compete in, but the overall experience for both of the girls will be ‘‘amazing’’.

Butcher said seven of her dancers qualified for the finals after having been assessed by Australian judges in Rangiora in October. However, the high cost of booking tickets to Australia within the short time frame prevented five of them from attending.

‘‘The cost is huge, like massive.’’

Local businesses Temuka New World and Temuka Transport had donated funds towards their trip, she said.

It was the second time Butcher had taken students to the competition in the 10 years she had been teaching dance.