Snap Dance Studios wrapped up their first festival at 'Dance Evolution' last weekend at RockPointe Church.

Competitive dancers took to the stage over the three-day dance festival (April 11-13), and Courtney Sproule, Owner of Snap Dance Studios shares all the competing dancers have shown growth in technique and confidence."For sure we are seeing growth and it is a subjective sport; while the mark matters the growth matters. We ask ourselves are they growing as humans, and did you (the dancers) do better than you did in the studio?! So the kids did really well; all the way from out little to our bigs."

While the studio received a number of awards and top marks, Sproule says sometimes not receiving the highest grade is a good thing. "I like it when not everyone gets the highest mark or high gold because sometimes the dancers walk away with that. It is subjective, and our kids did really well; I think we got over sixty golds, but it is nice that they weren't just handing out all golds."

While the medals and trophies are great, Sproule says real success is defined by the dancers' behaviour, attitude, and how that message is conveyed to other dance troupes. Recently, receiving an email from dance teachers from the Forest Lawn High School Dance Program, Sproule says she knows their messaging is having an impact.

The email sent after the festival reads, 'I wanted to commend your Chun Li dancers not only an excellent performance but also on an incredible display of kindness and sportsmanship. While in the rehearsal hall they gave all of my dancers' small packages of candy, hugs and took a group photo. This gesture changed the entire atmosphere of the rehearsal hall for not just my students but for everyone who witnessed it. Then for the rest of the competition, your dancers made an effort to seek out my students to encourage them and cheer them on.'

Sproule says while she knew a moment had been exchanged between the two dance troupes, she wasn't aware of the impact it had. "Honestly, I was in tears when I got this email from Forest Lawn. I knew that something had happened but to get that email...it is such a key to what we think is important. While I think that group got the highest mark in that category/competition, it pales in comparison to getting that email...that is the real win."

Happy to share that not only does Snap Dance Studios have a tight-knit community of dancers but the message they are teaching is resonating on an individual level.

Sproule shares no matter whether it is management, instructors, or admin staff; they all pride themselves on being encouraging and leading by example. "I believe it is the culture within the studio and even how we talk about how we treat each other in class. It also comes from the top down...our teachers, our admin staff, we all try to emulate it; I think by building the culture behind it, doing team building activities, and being kind to each other. There may not be one magical ingredient but a whole bunch of things."

While the first dance competition is in the bag, Sproule says the dancers will continue to refine their performances before they take the stage at the Great Canadian Dance Challenge running from May 1st to the 5th at the Martha Cohen Theatre in Calgary.