Dance Works Academy held its year-end recitals last weekend in four shows that had to make parents and teachers proud.
The junior student show was full of little girl snowflakes, dancing tree spirits and little boy hip hop dancers. The story was drawn from the beloved C.S. Lewis classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, adapted for Dance Works by writer, poet and teacher, Marcie Tentchoff. As the Narnia children (performed by Caitlin Sullivan, Jamie Tentchoff, Danielle Allenback and Melissa Pritchard) whose roles were acting, rather than dancing, entered in to the magic world behind the wardrobe, the scene was set for performances from Mr. Tumnus (Simone Thomas), the white witch (Kailyn Pritchard) and the beaver family (Elizabeth Waite, Bridget Stringer-Holden).
Highlights of the show included the witch's spy birds in their wicked costumes and the pre primary ballet dancers who portrayed the mice that chewed through the bonds holding mighty Aslan (Emily Cardinall). The very young hip hop dancers were clever and showed great promise for the future. During the finale, several of the students involved in musical theatre showed their developing skills in voice and performance.
The senior student show, Duality, held some astonishing moments. The highlight was surely the competitive hip hop team Outburst, first place winners in their category at several competitions in the Lower Mainland and second and third place in others. It's easy to see why: they have energy, speed, technical ability and joy in the dance. Likewise for another hip hop team, Pulse, who received honours in street dance and demonstrated their abundant stage presence and agility.
The Highland dancing by teen and pre teen dancers drew applause for their grace.
The pre teen modern dance was interesting, blending some Bollywood and Middle Eastern styles for the three young performers, Nicholas Allenback, Kailyn Pritchard and Bridget Stringer-Holden. Other strong performances came from the tappers (the boys tap duo was a winner), the lyrical dancers and the teen contemporary dance with an excellent showing from three teen salsa dancers, Tenzin Rainey, Sicily Fox and Emily Sherwood. The only thing lacking in the salsa dance were their male partners. Are you listening, guys?
Senior student Taylor Greenaway showed her advanced ballet talents in a solo en pointe and in a contemporary dance with Elizabeth Waite. The versatile performer was also part of the competitive hip hop team.
Dance Works alum Franklin Cottrell returned for two appearances, one musical with Anthony Wilmer (the duo is better known as Klimbatize), and another vigorous tap solo until stage manager Shantaya Purjue came to good humouredly drag the still dancing Cottrell off stage.
In all, two good shows that give much credit to the school's 14 teachers and to the parents and crew who sew costumes and build sets.
Dance Works Academy offers a summer school this year from Aug. 8 through 12. E-mail Zoe at [email protected] for more information.
