Local dance school looks back on epic year of wins and kinship
DANCE TRIUMPHS
Bodies in Motion Dance School in Mossman wraps up a remarkable year with their best competition season to date.
With fifty talented dancers aged 5 to 17, the team won a multitude of awards in seven diverse competitions in Cairns, Innisfail, and Brisbane.
Principal Saskia Williams beamed with pride, saying, “Our kids' onstage brilliance is the result of hard work, making every early start and travel day worth it.
Beyond the trophies and medals, Ms Williams emphasised that dance competitions offer students a valuable chance to build confidence and resilience.
“Competitive dance offers amazing benefits,” she explained. “Students learn to handle nerves and understand that winning isn't everything.
“They discover how to work both independently and as a team, manage success and failure, take responsibility, and push through challenges, even when things get tough.
“Dancers walk away having grown as a dancer both on and off stage.”
Camaraderie
According to Ms Williams, the spirit of camaraderie within the dance community holds a special place.
“The camaraderie and support between our team is really special and at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about,” Ms Williams said.
“BIM kids take pride in complimenting other schools or wishing them good luck backstage and that makes me really proud.”
Ms Williams recalls a significant moment before one of the performances.
“Generally before my teams take the stage, our ritual is to stand in a circular huddle and I’ll give a pep talk. Once, our Senior team independently huddled for their Hip Hop routine.
“They all took turns giving words of encouragement and boosting morale. To hear them take ownership and see how invested they were was really special.
“Their self-led encouragement led to a stellar performance and a 1st place win. The exhilaration of our name being called was unforgettable."
Looking ahead
Next up on the calendar for Bodies in Motion Dance School is their annual End of Year Production, with an exciting twist.
This year, the local dance school is making a significant move, taking their show to the grand stage of the Cairns Performing Arts Centre.
Ms Williams shared that the storyline of this year's show revolves around an aspiring songwriter's quest to discover their unique 'voice.
“On their journey, they seek inspiration from the most ‘legendary’ artists of all time. Audiences can expect to hear songs from a range of eras and genres that will make them want to dance and sing along in their seats.
The production is set for December 14 and tickets will be available for purchase later in the year.