Dance group takes interstate wins

STUDENTS and teachers at Studio Arc Dance School are doing cartwheels after taking home multiple wins at Backstage’s annual Mount Gambier Eisteddfod in South Australia late last month.

The trip saw eight young calisthenics performers taking part in what was the school’s first interstate event, held at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre.

Studio Arc Dance School principal coach and owner Jane Lovison said their participation was a new experience for the students that showcased eisteddfod in Ballarat.

“Most of our competitions are in Melbourne so it was nice to explore another opportunity for the girls to perform,” she said.

“When the kids do well, everyone gets behind them and it’s great for the school but also calisthenics isn’t huge in Ballarat so promoting the sport is great as well.

“We’ll probably go again next year.”

Staying in South Australia over four days, students returned from the trip with nine 1st place, three 2nd place, and two 3rd place wins.

They also received three honourable mentions and a highly commended.

Coach and seniors team member Kaitlyn Brown has been with the school for 16 years and took part in two dances including her graceful solo where she won second place.

She said the interstate trip was a rewarding one for her.

“The location was really nice and it was good that we were all together,” she said. “It was a lot different to the eisteddfods we normally do which are big and central.

“This was a country competition so it was a little bit smaller. We had 18 performances between us.

“In calisthenics, each state has different rules so we weren’t sure how it was going to go but it was pretty similar to here.

“There were about 15 people competing in my section which was 18 and over.”

Prior to the interstate trip, the students took part in solo competitions in Essendon and Broadmeadows before the state championships in Burwood.

Studio Arc Dance School currently has about 120 students.