From popping and locking to chassés and pirouettes, Dance Motueka’s annual showcase swept the audience through a vibrant mix of genres.
The performances featured tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary and hip hop, highlighting the range of classes students have worked on throughout the year.
The dance school was started by Motueka local Carrie Thomas in 2008 and has grown to almost 100 pupils. Every one of them took part in the two shows held at Memorial Hall on Saturday, 6 December, and Sunday, 7 December.
“It’s something they certainly look forward to because we get to present our work from throughout the year,” Carrie says, adding that she feels such pride in her students after the showcase.
Most students take lessons in at least two genres, and some do all five. The dancers range in age from as young as four to those finishing school this year, with some completing dance examinations and others taking part simply for the joy of dance.
Carrie says the end-of-year performance offers more than just a chance to perform. It helps students build confidence and present themselves with strength, while also developing technical skills such as control and discipline.
“I think it was excellent,” she says. “A lot of people say it gets better every year.”
