Tiny tots to middle school students to experienced seniors and even a few instructors took to the stage at Unity Composite High School April 20 to show off the dance skills they’d learned over the last eight months, at Flourish Studios second annual dance recital.
Oohs and aahs were heard from the audience in response to some of the tiniest dancers taking the stage in adorable costumes. In one number, the little ones were even hidden in flower pots for the start, “growing” after being “watered” by the assistant teachers.
The oohs and aahs changed to shouts and cheers when senior acro students showed off their flashy moves, strength and body-bending poses, all set to music and interspersed with dance steps.
Beautiful ballet, en pointe and lyrical dances were watched with silent appreciation, although the lively “Can-Can” number, unusually performed en pointe by senior ballet students, did get some heads bobbing and toes tapping.
Guest dancer Ava Sawatsky, a member of the University of Saskatchewan dance team, performed a jazz solo, choreographed by Elizabeth Erker.
Hip hop, tap, and contemporary numbers, along with a couple of dances which included lip synching, completed the repertoire of some 40 performances. All the smiles afterwards were evidence both dancers and audience members thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
The recital wrapped up the season for some dancers but the instructors and some other students, hardly had time to catch their breath as then they were off to the Infusion Dance Festival in Lloydminster the following week.
Following the festival, studio owner Amy Briggs reported Flourish dancers had attended four dance festivals and competitions, coming home with “many trophies and certificates. A total of 57 extra awards were given to Flourish Studios for the students throughout the competition season.” As well as Lloydminster, studio dancers travelled to Biggar and to Medicine Hat and Drumheller in Alberta.
Flourish Studios also gave out special awards to some of their own students at the recital: Emery Carlton, Most Improved; Spencer Bryan, Most Promising; Baylee Boerrichter, Most Outstanding; Aspen Gerein, Most Dedicated; Zaida Heck, Outstanding Leadership; Haedyn Wildeman, Best Teammate; and Lexie Toothill, Outstanding Performance Dancer.
In reporting on the year of dance, Briggs said, “We also went from 23 students last dance season to a whopping 60! We pretty much tripled, and we are so excited to continue on this wonderful path of positivity and passion for dance. New classes will be offered next season due to the growth and we are so excited to continue with the love and sense of community that are being had within these walls.”
After purchasing the building which formerly housed the Country Pantry store in 2023, renovations continue and Flourish Studios is planning an open house for next dance season.
