Hundreds of dancers graced the stage over four days to put their skills to the test and show their moves for Vernon's first Performing Arts Festival.
Studios from six Okanagan centres saw close to 600 entries take part in the March 2-5 event at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre.
Dancers from Penticton, 麻豆精选, Salmon Arm and Kamloops travelled for the show which saw two adjudicators offer tips and awards, and hundreds of dollars in scholarships were dispersed.
"Thank you to the dancers, the parents, the teachers, the studio owners, the tech staff, the adjudicators, the front of house volunteers, the ushers, the writers, the backstage runners, our fearless leader Becky Martselos, our board of directors, the prop dads, and the dance brothers. It takes a village and you all showed up to put on our very first Vernon Performing Arts Festival dance program," the event posted on social media.
"We鈥檝e had so many successes through the last few days of our dance program, and bringing artists from all over the Okanagan to inspire each other is definitely one of our biggest wins!"
The Vernon Performing Arts Festival Society was formed to create the event to provide opportunities for youth to show off their talent and take expert advice from experienced artists.
Like adjudicator Georgina Moore, an established dance educator, choreographer, performer and adjudicator based in Edmonton, who offered praise and feedback at the event.
Moore has more than 15 years of teaching experience at many prestigious studios, universities and institutions across Canada and the United States.
As an adjudicator, she has worked internationally for a variety of dance and talent competitions including StarQuest Dance Competition (U.S.A.), Legacy Dance Championships (U.S.A.) and Phoenix Dance Competition (Canada). Moore鈥檚 passion for teaching inspires her to instill the love of dance in each of her students, while encouraging and providing resources to those interested in pursuing a professional career.
"Many festivals like this are currently taking place in other communities. We believe that Vernon students should be given this same opportunity," the Society says.
"Skills acquired through a performing arts festival experience are life changing. These skills improve one鈥檚 craft and influence their daily life: Confidence, presentation, accepting correction, learning to accept mistakes."
Next up, the Vernon Performing Arts Festival Music Syllabus takes place in the spring at Peace Lutheran Church and the Performing Arts Centre.
It will include strings April 26-28, voice April 29-May1, piano May 2-6 and a gala concert May 16.
