Live to Dance Ultimate Dance Sydney Troupe Weekend

WEST HQ Rooty Hill | 18th August

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Live to Dance Ultimate Challenge Sydney Troupes

REVIEWS | RESULTS

published in print: November 2024 buy now!

On the weekend of August 17-18, over 300 troupes converged at WEST HQ in Rooty Hill for the much-anticipated Live to Dance Ultimate Challenge. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as dancers prepared to compete for substantial cash prizes. The camaraderie among the participants was evident, with groups wishing each other luck and exchanging words of encouragement as they passed on and off the stage—a true testament to the event’s success.

Sally Wade and her team, well-respected in the dance industry, are known for organising professional and smoothly-run events. Live to Dance Ultimate Challenge was no exception. The adjudicators, selected for their qualifications and experience, ensured a high standard of competition. This year’s event featured adjudicator Karen-Ann Thomas, ARAD MBBO RAD Registered Teacher and former Co-Director of Belmont Dance Centre, who brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the panel.

Karen-Ann’s impressive dance background began at the tender age of 2 ½, with training in Classical ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Tap, Contemporary, Highland, Irish dance, as well as Vocal and Speech. Her career includes professional stints with Sydney City Ballet, Tas Dance, and the West End Dance Company, where she played lead roles in productions such as Les Sylphides and Cleopatra. After her performance career, Karen-Ann founded Dance Image Studios and the cabaret production show Shattered Image, followed by the establishment of Kicks dance studio. Her teaching and choreographic talents have been recognised widely, with students gaining entry to prestigious institutions like The Australian Ballet School, WAPPA, NIDA, and London Studio Centre.

Karen-Ann’s impact on her students is profound, with many going on to secure contracts with major ballet companies like Queensland Ballet, Sydney Dance Company, and even international stages such as the West End and Broadway. Her guidance has produced dancers who have performed in globally recognised productions, including Wicked, Matilda, and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

During the adjudication of Section 61, the 14/Under Large Lyrical Troupes, Karen-Ann shared insightful feedback with the participants, emphasising the importance of technique and emotional expression. “The maturity coming through their faces and their bodies, with that intent and passion, is wonderful,” she remarked. She advised the dancers to refine their classical ballet techniques, particularly in lyrical performances, where “stretching out lines and jumps” can make a crucial difference in competition. She also highlighted the importance of unison and the subtle nuances that separate the winners from the rest.

In this section, the results were as follows:

    • 1st Place: Elite Performance Studios – “The maturity, the synchronicity, the level of technique, the choreography. Wow.”

    • 2nd Place: 2Step Dance Studio – “A very mature performance with well-handled intent between the young male and female couples.”

    • 3rd Place: Whitney Schofield Dance Academy (WSDA) – “I loved the point of difference in this routine; it took me on an intense journey.”

    • 4th Place: Elite Performance Studio – “Beautiful, mature performance.”

In Section 64, the 15/Over Large Contemporary Troupes, Karen-Ann’s feedback was equally constructive. She appreciated the dancers’ capabilities and the brilliance of their choreography but also pointed out that the music choice did not always complement the performance. “Sometimes the music choice just doesn’t come across the way we would want it to,” she commented, underscoring the importance of coherence between music and movement in contemporary dance.

The results for this section were:

    • 1st Place: Elite Performance Studio – “The synchronicity of this group is amazing; the structural elements and shapes they create are just brilliant.”

    • 2nd Place: Whitney Schofield Dance Academy (WSDA) – “This routine really transported me somewhere else; it had a very different feel.”

    • 3rd Place: Elite Performance Studio – “Very clever choreography, although a bit busy for my eye.”

    • 4th Place: 2Step Dance Studio – “Really enjoyed the stark, robotic feel of the choreography.”

I had the opportunity to speak with Rebecca Micallef, co-director of 2 Step Dance in Seven Hills, about what she loves about participating in Live to Dance events. Rebecca emphasised the high standard and competitive environment of the event, saying, “Live to Dance always offers a really high standard, a really good quality comp, and it’s well run.”

When asked about the benefits of troupe competitions for her students, Rebecca highlighted the importance of teamwork and personal growth. “It’s about the growth and the journey. Competing and doing these sorts of things pushes the kids. They train in class to reach a goal of getting their routine on stage and performing at a standard, and that’s a great skill for them to learn,” she explained.

Keeping her troupe committed to rehearsals is a challenge Rebecca faces with a strong emphasis on team spirit. “You try and just breed that sort of commitment… When you’ve got a really solid team and they’re there for each other, they don’t want to let each other down,” she shared. She also spoke about the bond her students share and the respect they have for their teachers, which motivates them to give their best in every performance.

With 6-8 competitions per year, Rebecca and her team at 2Step Dance are constantly preparing for the next challenge. As the competition season winds down, they are already gearing up for the next year, ensuring that their students continue to grow and excel.

The Live to Dance Ultimate Challenge was a resounding success, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of young dancers. Events like these not only celebrate dance but also foster a sense of community, resilience, and a love for the art form that will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of performers.