Hope dancers struck it rich at a recent dance competition in Mission, with seven dancers from the Silver-Hope Dance Academy coming home with no less than gold medals in all nine dance routines.
“One was a ‘high gold,’ which is like platinum,” said academy manager Crystal Luck.
The seven girls took part in solos, duos and trios covering hip hop, jazz, lyrical and contemporary dance styles at the Synergy Dance Competition, held at Mission’s Clarke Theatre from Apr. 1 to 3. The event featured a total of 369 performances with up to 15 dancers in one routine.
Hope’s youngest dancer at the comp, 9-year-old Talia Richardson performed two solos, in hip hop and contemporary and teamed up for a hip hop trio called “End of Time” with Taia Waddle and Aaliyah Campbell.
Ten-year-olds Waddle and Campbell continued the golden wins in their solo dances, with Campbell winning the ‘high gold.’
“Aaliyah also got a ‘spirit award’ for the sassiest dancer in the age 9-10 hip hop category,” added Luck.
Alyssa Goglin, aged 15 and 11-year-old Darby Link teamed up for a hip hop duo called “1, 2 Step” — again winning gold, with Link stepping way up to compete in the age 15-16 class. Link and Goglin further competed as contemporary dance soloists, then moved up to the age 17-18 level to dance a jazz trio with 18-year-old Tahnee Waddle. Their dance was titled “Judas” and instead of 30 pieces of silver, the girls won another three gold medals. Hope’s dancers had worked out their choreography with academy instructors Delaney Hawkes and Karry Kozak-Fedoruk.
“Most of the dancers are practicing two, three or four days a week to be in these competitions,” said Luck.
“We also have open studio times every day. Parents sign out keys and they can come back with their kids and practice in front of mirrors and with the sound system.
“Some of the older girls use their iPods and earphones and they can practice on their own without anyone hearing their music,” she said.
The academy moved locations in mid March and is now upstairs of the Hope Outdoors/Trends on End store on Wallace Street, in the former fitness gym space.
“We are splitting it into two studios, so we can have two classes going at one time,” said Luck. “We’ll be having some exciting day camps running this summer.
“For example, we’ll be doing a ‘Frozen’ camp for kids. They’ll be practicing and making their own costumes, then we’ll do a recital for parents on the Friday. We’ll break up the days with other activities, such as crafting and activities in Memorial Park. “We’ll have workshops as well, so we’ll be going all through the summer.”
The academy’s next competition is at Thunderstruck, in Port Coquitlam, May 13 to 15. Instructor Liam Mackey will be taking his five-member boys’ hip hop group. Luck’s five-year-old daughter, Sydney, and a number of other girls will also be competing.
On Facebook, look for the group’s page at SilverHope Dance Academy. Crystal Luck can be reached at 604-869-1585.
