Tap-dancers starting early

Elenoa (3) and Halalova (5) Asi are looking forward to the tap-dancing competitions this weekend....
Elenoa (3) and Halalova (5) Asi are looking forward to the tap-dancing competitions this weekend. Photo by Sally Rae.
Halalova and Elenoa Asi are mad about tap-dancing.

The Oamaru youngsters are looking forward to competing in the Oamaru Tap Dancing Association's competitions this weekend.

The event has attracted 68 competitors from Christchurch to Dunedin, and will be judged by former local dancers Vanessa Buchanan, who now lives in Wellington, and Melinda Joe (Dunedin).

For the Asi siblings, tap-dancing is in their blood.

Their grandmother Shirley Kernahan has taught dance in Oamaru for many years and their mother, aunts and cousins have danced.

"It's in the family," Halalova and Elenoa's mother, Angela Asi, said.

The siblings are taught by their aunt, Dianne Mills, while Mrs Mills' daughters, Callie (9) and Kelsey (6), are taught by Mrs Asi.

They will all be dancing this weekend, along with their cousin Rebecca Kernahan (16).

The competitions begin at 4pm tomorrow at St Kevins College and finish at lunch-time on Sunday.

Halalova will be dancing a solo and also performing a song and dance, singing a combination of Bingo and Old MacDonald Had a Farm.

His sister will be making her solo dance debut, although she performed in the Care Bears troupe last year.

"She just takes it all in her stride. She knows what she's doing," Mrs Asi said.

Mrs Asi (41) began tap-dancing when she was 3 and finished competing in her early 20s.

 

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