Local Journalism Initiative
Radha Agarwal, Local Journalism Initiative, The Northern View
More than 60 dancers from Prince Rupert took part in the Prince George Dance Festival, bringing home more than 100 awards, including certificates, trophies, and scholarships.
Celebrating its 49th year, the festival ran from March 15 to 21. It featured over 1,300 entries from 14 studios across northern BC and Yukon.
“My experience with the Prince George Dance Festival has come full circle as I was a participant and now a parent of a dancer, as well as a DAPR instructor.”
Shauna Chandler, Tap Instructor at the Dance Academy of Prince Rupert
The Dance Academy of Prince Rupert (DAPR) showcased their skills in various categories, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, musical theatre, modern, contemporary, variety, and hip hop. They competed in solo, duets, small and large groups, totalling 140 entries.
“Rupert dancers did extremely well this year at the Prince George Dance Festival and it’s a testament to their team commitment, long hours at the studio and dedicated instructors who have invested so much time and energy into our kids,” said Shauna Chandler, the academy’s tap instructor. The days were jam-packed beginning at 8 a.m with the final adjudication ending around 10:30 p.m. each night.
“My experience with the Prince George Dance Festival has come full circle as I was a participant and now a parent of a dancer, as well as a DAPR instructor,” said Chandler.
“These festivals offer an invaluable opportunity for exposure to a diverse range of choreography and dance styles, allowing the dancers to develop artistically.”
Shauna Chandler, Tap Instructor at the Dance Academy of Prince Rupert
Her son, like her, was inspired by dancing and competed for the third time this year.
The Prince Rupert dancers start training for spring competitions during the summer at the academy’s annual Summer World of Dance workshop, held every August. Some dancers practice in classes twice a week, while others train up to five or six days a week, exceeding 12 hours of practice each week. These dedicated students also attend classes and rehearsals on weekends.
“These festivals offer an invaluable opportunity for exposure to a diverse range of choreography and dance styles, allowing the dancers to develop artistically,” said Chandler. “The week in Prince George seems to pass in the blink of an eye, but the memories made will last a lifetime.”
The academy is currently en route to Terrace to compete at the Pacific Northwest Music Festival. In May, they will also compete at the BC Annual Dance Competition in Prince Rupert.
“Come out and support our talented performers,” said the instructor. They put in a tremendous amount of effort and would appreciate a full audience to share their passion for dance.”
