Finding Their Rhythm

Four Wenona dancers fast-tracked their training recently, taking on the challenge of learning four full routines, from four experienced choreographers, in four different styles, over two days, before performing them on a professional stage.

The opportunity came through the Independent Girls’ Schools Association (IGSA) Dance Festival at Sydney Dance Company’s Walsh Bay studios. A non-competitive collaboration between independent girls’ schools across NSW and the ACT, the festival is designed to give strong young dancers a taste of professional company life.

Skye and Georgie (Year 7), Sophia (Year 8), and Tara (Year 9) represented the School across three Sunday afternoon shows in a program that moved through Lyrical, Contemporary, Theatre Jazz, and JFH (Jazz, Funk, and Hip Hop), choreographed by professional Australian dancers Kate Beattie, Riley Fitzgerald, Catrina Ralph, and Jay Johns.

The pace was the first revelation. Routines that would normally be developed over weeks at Wenona, had to be picked up in just a few hours. The JFH routine, which was set to Destiny’s Child’s Lose My Breath, was a highlight for several of our dancers, due to its intensity. “What challenged me most was learning all of it in only three hours,” Tara said. Contemporary dance also pushed them out of familiar territory, as they encountered choreography unlike anything they had experienced at school. The students emerged with new friends and a new-found confidence in their abilities to take into future training.

One aspect of the experience that will stay with them the most, however, was the absence of competition. As Sophia reflected: “Dance is a very competitive sport, as I normally would be competing against these girls. Yet IGSA is about sisterhood and collaboration. I will bring that level of encouragement to future trainings and competitions.”

All four girls said they would audition again, and recommend the experience to other Wenona dancers.