School dance competition gives students chance to perform at a higher level

A fast-growing school dance competition is expanding in the region, after giving thousands of students in Queensland a platform to showcase their talents while

building real-world performance experience.

Dance X will be held at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Friday June 26.

The competition has been designed for primary and secondary schools, encouraging students to exchange their creative talents in a competitive environment.

Founded by Sunshine Coast teachers Kate Gardiner and Stevie-Rose Jack in 2022, the initiative was created to fill a gap in opportunities tailored specifically for school-based performers.

“Studios have a lot of competitions, but schools don’t always have the same access,” Gardiner said.

“We kept saying, ‘if we did this, we’d do it differently’ and eventually we just did.”

The competition features a wide range of performance categories, including team routines, solos and duos, as well as an innovative audition section where students learn choreography on the day and perform it in a setting that mirrors a professional audition.

Dance X has previously attracted a diverse mix of participants, from highly trained school programs to those just beginning their journey in dance.

“It’s great preparation for those who want to move into the industry,” Gardiner said.

“We get some people who’ve trained their whole lives, and others who are just giving it a go.”

The first northern NSW event at Murwillumbah last year attracted 12 schools with organisers looking at building on the momentum.

“We’re hoping to get the same, if not more, schools involved this year,” Gardiner said.

“The plan is to bring a New South Wales state finals in line with what we have in Queensland,”

“Ultimately, we’d love to have three rounds and a national final.”

Local schools have until Thursday, 14 May to register for the event at dancexcompetition.com