After a month of competitions, the North Island Festival of Performing Arts ended its 2014 season with two gala showcases at the Sid Williams Theatre.
Among those performing, 10 students from Courtenay’s Triple Heat Dance Academy will represent NIFPA at Performing Arts BC in June.
Established in 1964 this provincial competition acts as the umbrella organization for 34 regional performing arts festivals throughout the province. Over 32,000 young musicians, dancers and dramatic artists participate each year in one or more of these regional festivals. Adjudicators select representatives based on performance, attitude, potential and artistry.
“To have so many of our students recommended to provincials is such an honour,” says Triple Heat ballet director Michelle Henly. “The dedication it requires to reach this level of achievement translates directly to hours spent preparing in the studio and at home.”
Livea Gill-Harding, who co-owns THD with Henly and Tamara Ryan-Telford, adds, “The passion they have for performing is what continues to inspire us as teachers. To share creative vision with such talented young artists is what keeps us excited about our work.”
The festival experience brings the opportunity to compete and participate in adjudicated sessions, master classes, coaching, workshops and technique classes with some of North America’s finest instructors and adjudicators.
Students gain invaluable educational and performing experience and at the provincial level there is opportunity for scholarships, tuition assistance, and awards.
“They so deserve our congratulations,” says Ryan-Telford. “We want the whole community to know how much we admire their hard work and how proud we are of their accomplishments.”
THD students continuing to the provincial competition are:
Shana Wolfe – Senior Ballet Representative, Grace Harvey – Intermediate Ballet Representative, Cassidy Chalk – Junior Ballet Representative, Livia Eni – Junior Ballet Alternate, James-Amzin Nahirnick – Senior Modern Representative, Amy Stewart – Intermediate Modern Representative, Meghan Caine – Senior Stage Representative, Liam Galway – Senior Stage Observer, Kailyn Nottebrock – Junior Stage Representative, Kennedy Ledingham – Senior Stage Representative through DanceWorks Victoria Festival.
“We wish our dancers all the best and hope, that more than anything, that this opportunity allows them to learn and flourish as dancers and amazing human beings.” THD
For more information: e-mail info@tripleheatdance.com or visit
www.bcprovincials.com.
— Triple Heat Dance – Academy of Performing Arts
