Competition season is in full swing for Prince Rupert’s dancers. The group is strutting their stuff at the BC Annual Dance Festival now, but they first attended the Pacific Northwest Music Festival in Terrace the final weekend in April.
The Dance Academy of Prince Rupert (DAPR) team received first and second placements in virtually of their 40 group dances. Solo and duo placements were also incredibly successful, with 38 first place finishes and 30 second-place finishes.
“Highlights of the PNMF experience would include DAPR dancers being singled out and lauded by adjudicator Ashley Sweett for working so incredibly well as a team and inspiring others to do the same,” said Teresa Mackereth, the owner and artistic director of DAPR.
Karlie Fudger, one of DAPR’s most prolific performers, nearly swept away her competition. She took first place in nine out of her 10 solos. Other highlights included Bailey Rae receiving first place in the original choreography section, Gianna Evans being awarded the Cote Award for intermediate dance excellence and Teagan Lemon-Shearing, who was voted the inaugural Good Citizenship Award.
“The Academy is particularly proud of one of our students winning this award as kindness and compassion for others is one of our strongest studio mandates,” Mackereth said.
Full list of awards won by DAPR:
Taylor Jackson: Highest Mark for Junior Lyrical Solo — $75
Cassidy Kawaguchi: Highest Mark for Ballet Solo 10 and Under — $50
Lola Clouthier: Highest Mark Song and Dance Solo — $50
Lola Clouthier: Highest Mark Musical Theatre Solo — $50
Karlie Fudger: Highest Mark Jazz Musical Interpretation — $50
Bailey Rae: Highest Mark Original Dance Choreography — $50
Gianna Evans: Cote Award of Dance Excellence, Intermediate — $150
Teagan Lemon-Shearing: Good Citizenship Award — Trophy
Taylor Jackson: Flynn Award of Dance Excellence
Taylor Jackson: Summer Scholarship Bursary
Karlie Fudger: Summer Scholarship Bursary
Bailey Rae: Summer Scholarship Bursary
Gianna Evans: Highest Mark Modern Musical Interpretation
Highest Mark Junior Stage Dance
Spectrum City Dance also had a plethora of dancers at the festival.
“We were pleased to come away with group awards and many individual awards and scholarships,” said Ella Ferland, artistic director.
The dancers came home with a total of 60 first places and 37 second places. Gillian Jardim was invited to compete for the senior scholarship at the gala night. Among the awards given to Spectrum dancers were the Highest Senior Group Mark and Highest Jazz Group Mark.
Intermediate dancer Nathania Cam received an award for the highest mark in Variety Solo and junior dancer Nolan Robinson came away with a $300 dance scholarship.
“There is a lot of talent in the north and we sure saw it on the stage,” Ferland said.