WILKIE -- Eighteen dancers, 30 pieces of music and nine choreographers treated parents, grandparents, friends and community members to the Wilkie School of Dance Showcase March 24.
Numbers included ballet solos, jazz duets, a tap trio, lyrical and contemporary dances, a little bit of hip hop and some acrobatics. A whimsical ballet duet where little Isabelle Herle brought her life-size music box dancer – Ira Canong – to life to dance alongside her evoked some audible “awes” from the audience. The piece was choreographed by Lynsey Strus.
Teachers and choreographers at the Wilkie School of Dance are Melany Sander, Ashton Keller and Strus. Others who contributed choreography to the Showcase program were Kennedy Elder, Brianna Bakken, Autumn Shortt, Teal Hoenecke, Danielle Jamieson and Alexi Bauman. Senior dancer Emily Hango also teaches some classes and does some choreography, although none for this year’s Showcase.
On stage at McLurg High School as part of the Dance Showcase for the last time were Emily Hango and Kiri Myszczyszn. The two girls had a busy weekend, having to get back from the gold medal match at Hoopla in Moose Jaw the previous day in time for their dance performances the next afternoon in Wilkie.
Although not dancing March 24, dance students Brooke Bannerman and Lara Suter will also graduate this year.
Next up for many Wilkie dancers are competitions in Saskatoon; Camrose, Alta.; and Lloyminster. Their season will culminate with the annual dance recital which takes place May 5 at McLurg High School at 1:30 p.m.
Wilkie School of Dance is a community club that is run by a parent executive.
