News

May 3, 2010

JOIN THE DANCE PROGRAM UPDATES

THE WINTER TERM AND THE FABULOUS FINALS

In the week of March 22nd something very wonderful happened across the city – a high-energy, beautiful revolution. Behind the bricks and mortar of 25 schools, 1800 dancers across 61 classrooms took to their stage – a showcase of newfound pride, elegance and confidence. In short - Dancing Classrooms Winter term wrapped.  Each of our 25 participating schools held their own community showcases in the final week, from elegantly simple daytime concerts to glitzy gala evenings. Without exception, families, peers, educators and friends were absolutely blown away.

Meantime, the competition was on.

Following the showcases, the qualifying semi-finals for the Grand Trophy went into high gear. The first event was on Monday, March 29th, generously hosted by wonderful Rockford Public School. Twelve representatives from each of the schools went centre stage and “shook what their mamma gave them”. It is said a picture is worth a thousand words. Click here to enjoy the amazing photo-story of that extraordinary day. Win or lose, the 25 teams gave it their all and, without a doubt, the judges had a huge challenge on their hands. The sweetness of the dancing brought teary-eyed moments even to the most seasoned –and, of course, to proud families, teachers and artists.  

On to the glitter of the Palais….The eight finalist schools brought the term to a jubilant close on April 1st, as they rocked the boards of the Palais Royale Ballroom on the Lakeshore with their triumphant cheers and fancy footwork.

The finalists placed as follows:

GOLD RIBBON CHAMPIONS: Pope Paul, St. Fidelis and Sts. Cosmas & Damian
SILVER RIBBON CHAMPIONS: Silverthorn, Mason Road, St. Thomas Aquinas
BRONZE RIBBON CHAMPIONS: The Elms, Secord

And there’s more!

For the first time, Join the Dance featured a dazzling showcase of our Advanced/2nd-Year Program.

Dancers from Ogden, Sprucecourt, Cosmas & Damian, Keelesdale and Secord drew gasps of awe and delight from the nearly-100 first-year competitors. It was all there and more: the serious drama of the tango, the fast paced merengue and the high energy swing. The confident elegance, superior teamwork and brilliant execution of these dancers, only one year older, offered a thrilling vision to the first-years of the future – their future.