IT’S that time of the year when the tutus are dusted off, the spandex is slipped on and the dance moves of our region’s students are showcased for all to see.
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Dance Festival 2014 is about to begin and it appears one local school is getting into the spirit, with 90 students signing up.
Oxley High School will showcase nine dance performances in this year’s festival, along with three dances for the Higher School Certificate.
Co-ordinated by Christine Massey and dance teacher Bindy Hodgson, students have been working around the clock to perfect their routines and some have even taken on the role of choreographers.
Mrs Massey said the school worked to give “as many students as possible” the opportunity to participate in the event.
“This is something that may not be possible outside of school for some students,” she said.
Five of the dance groups are led by student choreographers from years 9 and 10: Jayme Lay, Chloe Siddons, Shannon Vanderstelt, Tammy Robinson, Layla Harris, Olivia Harris, Stephanie Penrose, Chloe Singh, Shelby Botfield-Mohr and Bronte Harris.
“They are responsible for finding suitable music, creating and teaching a dance, and organising the costumes,” she said.
“It is quite a lot of responsibility. We do this to help develop the creativity, leadership and teaching skills of students interested in taking their dance skills and interest to the next level.
“Plus it helps them to prepare for the future demands of HSC dance courses that many are contemplating.”
The dance groups of Oxley High are part of a cluster of 1200 public school students from kindergarten to Year 12 who will participate in this year’s festival.
Eighty-five dances have been prepared by school groups with the festival to begin on Monday.
Public performances will be held at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7pm.
