Young dancers gain top marks in international exams

An Invercargill dance school has had success in the latest Asia Pacific Dance Association exams, three of its students gaining top marks.

Jazz Time Dance owner Lou Horo said she was proud of all her students’ achievements — "it’s great to be recognised."

Dance studios across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Macau, China, Thailand, South Africa and the United Kingdom offer the APDA dance curriculum.

Three of her dancers earned top marks in the international examinations: Aleisha Scott (9) in Urban Ignition hip-hop at the foundation level; George Shirley (13) in Encore Theatre Dance level 6; and Maia Murdoch (14) in Urban Ignition level 7.

George entered in all six of the dance styles examined and said he was happy with how he had done.

While Jazz Time Dance students completed their exams in June last year, they had to wait until the end of November for their results.