Dancers shine on international stage

BELL Studio of Highland Dance Student Lucy Edwards has recently returned home from New Plymouth as the winner of the New Zealand Highland Dancing Championship 16 years & over.

Lucy also won the Scottish National Dance Premiership of Taranaki 16 years and over, and the Spirit of Highland Dancing Award.

Fellow Bell Studio dancer Isabelle Bidese also competed in New Zealand and placed in all four dances in the Pre Championship 16 years and over section.

The following week, Lucy travelled to Sydney and was placed runner up in the Grand Australasian Championship 16-18 years, competing against dancers from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Bell Studio student Amalia Srpcic also danced at the competition, placing fourth overall in the Novice Title 9 years & under.

It’s been a busy couple of months for the studio, with students also competing at the Southern States Championships and competitions held at Wulanda in June.

Title winners were:

Matilda Baker – winner Beginners Titles 10 yrs & under (Saturday and Sunday)

Hannah Telfer – winner Novice Titles 10 yrs & under (Saturday and Sunday)

Lily Irwin and Isla Whitaker – joint winners Beginners Title 11 yrs & over (Sunday)

Mia Garland-Cooper, Mackenzie Davies, Amalia Srpcic, Tilly Salmon and Isabelle Bidese also placed top 3 in their respective Titles.

Principal Katie Edwards said she was really pleased with the outstanding results which demonstrated the level of talent in the region.