Last Saturday (March 16) and tomorrow (March 23), competitive dancers of Snap Dance Studios are taking the stage to showcase all their hard work.

Giving a sneak peek of their upcoming performances, 75 soloists, duos, and trios showcased 74 different routines in the theatre at Cochrane High School on March 16th, while this Saturday all 130 competitive dancers will be performing their large group numbers at the high school during the day.

Alison Stutz, Studio Manager, says both her and Studio Owner, Courtney Sproule feel the dancers did an amazing job at their first performance."The kids were fantastic on stage and took their instructions; then when I watched the show, I felt they had really grown over the day."

It has been a big growth year for many of the dancers enrolled in Snap, shares Stutz. "We've been watching their technical development, and both of us commented that it is really coming along. I think they all shone."

This past week both Stutz and Sproule have been in and out of classes. "One of us has been there every night working with the teachers and helping to grow the routines, and we are really excited and think it's going to be a great year The teachers have put together some awesome numbers and it will be great to finally see it come to life."

The studio is buzzing with excitement, shares Stutz, as this time of year is the highlight for every competitive dancer. "Although there is a much bigger picture, in the minds of the kids', to put on the costume and hit the stage is why they do it. The kids have worked really hard in class since September and this where they get their reward for all their hard work. For Courtney and I, it is really about growing them every single time. They have shows, rehearsals, three competitions, and then their final recital, so our goal is always to see growth every time they take the stage."

While it is not mandatory for dancers to enter the competitive arena, Stutz says there are some advantages. " I think it's really the third-party feedback, in my opinion. To get out to various competitions and see what other dancers are doing and what other studios have is great for all the kids. It is why we try and do competitions in three very different areas, so they are exposed to different studios and kids, and get a real feel for what is out there. Hearing feedback from a third-party adjudicator is also great, because in my opinion, in a world where there is not a lot of feedback it is great for the dancers to hear what the audjudiactors say and put themselves out there while setting their nerves aside."

The physical training and practice that goes into the routines is one aspect, but a real highlight for Stutz and Sproule is watching the studio form a family through bonding. "We are so lucky; we have such an amazing community of parents who help out where they can and our older dancers. We had 24 student teachers this year (pre-intermediate level or higher), and they were so fantastic. They volunteered their time over the past few months to help the younger ones with their routines, and they are always there to be helpful backstage. Comp season is when we see that; our parents have fun together backstage, the kids are all there supporting each other, and stay when they don't have to. It's a great season for the dance community."

Snap Dance Studios will be performing at Dance Evolution (April 11-13), Great Canadian Dance Challenge (May 1-5), and the Shyann Dance Festival in Lake Louise (May 10-12).

The next couple of months will be filled with fine tuning the routines and getting back to the basics of technical development before it starts all over again in fall.

If you have any questions about Snap Dance Studios or have a child that wants to try a class, you can contact them HERE.