Five young dancers all won honours in the novice modern jazz — 9 years and under section — the first event on the opening day of annual ballet competitions yesterday, held by the Dunedin Performing Arts Competition Society (DPACS).
Winner of the event and the Emily McLennan Trophy was Evelyn Bond (7). Hermione Sparks (8) was second, Tayla Brough (9), third, Charlotte Horne (9) was very highly commended and Halaina Sparks (7) highly commended.
The DPACS is the oldest performing arts competition society in New Zealand and ballet convener Anna Nees said the annual competitions had been running for more than 100 years.
About 70 competitors, aged from 4 to 21, are involved in three days of events at Coronation Hall in Mosgiel.
Featured dances include modern jazz, barefoot, national character, impromptu, contemporary, hip-hop and classical ballet.
This year’s adjudicator is Nelson dancer and teacher Rebecca Bignall, a fully registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance and New Zealand Association of Modern Dance.
