HUMBOLDT — A-List Dance & Acrobatics have been nominated to be a finalist in the Dance School of the Year Awards.
The Dance School of the Year Awards, founded by former dance instructor Anne Walker, is in its eighth year.
Finalists represent schools of all sizes from genres including ballet, hip-hop, ballroom and contemporary.
“I’m really shocked and very excited,” said Alyssa Hinz, owner and artistic director with A-List Dance & Acrobatics.
Entries were received from the U.K. and Europe as well as Canada, U.S., Bahrain, Brunei and Australia.
Hinz said they don’t know yet which award they’ve been nominated for, with awards including innovation in male dance, accessibility to dance, artistic endeavor, and innovation in the teaching of Dance.
This year will also have a special award presented to a dance school that has shown innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March, A-List began moving their classes to virtual ones with supplementary teachings.
After Labour Day weekend the dance studio reopened their doors, with physical classes.
“Pretty much everybody comes to the studio, but classes are recorded and can be livestreamed – and if a kid misses it they can take a class at home, or when they’re feeling better.”
Hinz said student enrollment has risen by 10, resulting in approximately 90 students in the dance school.
“The kids are super happy to be back,” she said. “They like being videoed now so their parents can watch them.”
The winners of the awards will be announced Oct. 23.