Local dancers head to the big stage

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

Students from Expressions the Dance Gallery had a chance to showcase some of what they have learned this year at the annual year-end recital held at the Jubilee in Calgary on June 19. 

“Even though it’s called the Year End Recital, it’s not for a lot of the kids. For a lot of the full time competitive students, or kids that really take their art form seriously, they don’t stop,” said Angela Murdoch, one of the instructors with Expressions. 

Everyone from the studio, from the short-term students up to the full-year program students participated. The studio also has classes for adults, who are welcome to take part in the recital but declined to do so this year.

“It’s so great because I was just saying to my friends when we were backstage, the last time I was in the theatre besides recital, was when I came and I saw an off-Broadway musical here,” said Murdoch.

“It’s hard to explain to the kids how important the theatre is, and what a great opportunity they have. I’m sure it’s something they’ll understand as they get older.”

The recital is not about making money. Murdoch said it’s about giving kids an opportunity to perform in a large venue and to experience what it’s really like to be on stage with a professional crew. Anyone was welcome to attend the recital, regardless of whether or not they had a friend or child involved in the recital. 

Dress rehearsal began at 10 a.m., giving all of the dancers a chance to do a full run through of the performance while hopefully alleviating some of the nervousness. 

While the year may be “over,” there are still many things going on throughout the summer at the studio. There will be a one-day summer school on June 25, a full week intensive dance camp and more playful dance camps over the course of the summer months. 

Anyone who is interested in any form of dance is encouraged to call the studio to get more information.