Expressions dancers sparkle in festivals

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

Expressions the Dance Gallery has been successfully dancing their way through festivals and competitions this spring and is in no hurry to give up the spotlight.
In their first festival of the season, 57 dance entries with dancers ranging in the age of 5 to 17 from Expressions competed at the Sparkle Dance Festival in Stettler on March 22 to 24. It was the gallery’s second time entering into that festival.
“We were very excited to bring home eight overall awards … our students’ success is because we have such a great qualified and diversified faculty,” said Michelle Murdoch, administration manager at Expressions, adding that both pre-competitive and competitive teams performed at the festival.
Awards included the high gold and choreographer award for contemporary trio, Cadence Goodeagle, Jaymie Smith and Teagan Rabbit Carrier; Mia Srubowich won the solo scholarship ballet and tied in jazz; Teagan Rabbit Carrier won solo scholarship for contemporary dance; Carson Doore and Teagan Rabbit Carrier won the hip hop duet with the highest score for ages 12 and over. The This is It acrobatics (acro) group took home the overall Level 2 high score, the Beyond the Sea tap quartet took home the overall Level 3 high score, the Toureigo Tango ballet group won the overall Level 4 high score and the Space Oddities contemporary group won the adjudicator’s choice award.
During the Class Act Dance Festival in MacEwan Hall at the University of Calgary from April 5-7, the competition teams had 49 entries with 19 dancers competing between 8 to 18 years old. Jaymie Smith won the overall highest score for solo 15 to 16 years old for her contemporary solo and Charleigh Burns and Malia Murdoch won the highest overall score for duets age 9 for their acro duo.
“I was very nervous to attend this competition because Ms. Heather warned us that they were looking for perfection and that the Calgary studios are very talented,” said acro duo winner Charleigh Burns. “My favourite part was when Malia and I received high gold and most promising for our routine,” said the young dancer, whose favourite dance move is a lift that they do in their routine as well as double cartwheels.
Currently in their 36th season and having operated in Strathmore since 2003, Expressions teaches acro dance, aerial, ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, highland, hip hop, lyrical and contemporary, pointe and progressive ballet. Dancers range in age from 2 to 18 with competitive students between 4 and 18 years old. They also offer adult and parent and tot classes for any interested in learning how to dance.
“Expressions the Dance Gallery is not only a competitive studio, but also a recreation studio with students of all ages, abilities and commitment levels,” said Murdoch.
Upcoming competitions for the young dancers are the Catch a Rising Star dance festival in Drumheller from April 26-28, and Millennium Dance Festival in Calgary on May 3-5.
Many dancers are also working hard to prepare for dance exams such as the upcoming Royal Academy of Dance ballet exams, as well as Acrobatic Arts exams.
Expressions will also hold their year-end showcase on June 2 at the Glenmore Christian Academy in Calgary, and an aerial showcase at the Strathmore High School on June 20.
“I love going to competitions, I love dancing on stage and being able to dance with my friends … I just love everything about it (and) my favourite part is working together with my friends,” said acro duo dancer and high score winner Malia Murdoch.