A 45-minute extravaganza of local dance talent will be on display next month as part of a new dance production.
SOAR brings together 40 advanced level dancers from six studios across the Nelson Tasman region who will be unveiling their talent along with two professional dancers from Auckland.
“You don’t have to be a dancer to be captivated and appreciate the performance,” says show producer Gemma Laing.
As well as being a chance for the community to experience local talent it’s an opportunity for the mostly teenage dancers to feel what it’s like to be in a semi-professional show.
“It’s a great way to bridge the gap for dancers who want to pursue a career in dance and a pathway to starting a conversation,” Gemma says.
Gemma has engaged two professional dancers, Kayla Paige and Andrew Cesan, from Momentum Productions in Auckland.
The pair, who are renowned on the New Zealand dance scene, are working with the students on some of the showpieces and will perform a piece as part of the show.
Gemma says SOAR will allow dancers to learn off other dancers as an added complement to their current teachers.
“Another motivation of the show is to create an artistic piece of work to inspire other younger dancers in the community to get involved,” she says.
To support the local dancers further, profits from the show will go back to them towards furthering their dance training. Individual dancers were also encouraged to apply for funding assistance.
The show will showcase a broad range of dances - from tap to hip hop and is geared to the wider community, not just elite dancers.
The SOAR shows are on April 9 at 7pm and April 10 at 1pm, 4pm and 7pm and tickets can be bought at www.trybooking.co.nz
