Dance students show some fancy foot work

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/06/2010 (5771 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A small, Elie-based dance studio turned in some big-time performances at the recent Dance Manitoba Festival.

Students from the Call-it Dance Studio captured 10 medals during the festival, which took place May 9 to 22 in Winni­peg. The 10 medals are even more impressive considering that the studio sent just 10 groups of students to the competition.

Instructor Jennifer Collett said her students earned an impressive eight silver medals in addition to individual gold and bronze medals.
“It was really quite something for the girls,” she said.

Collett’s 33 students competed in an number of different categories including jazz solo, junior girls jazz, senior girls jazz, ladies jazz, performing group jazz, performing group tap, lyrical and hip-hop.

Student Danielle Nock, 16, won two of the studio’s 10 medals. Despite some early butterflies, Nock said she was really happy about her experience.

“It was really great,” the Grade 11 student from St. Paul’s Collegiate said. “I thought I would be nervous, but once you get out there you just do what you got to do.”

Doing what you need to do is the unofficial motto of the small Elie dance studio. Collett said that’s the kind of attitude she has tried to instill in her students.

“I really try to challenge the kids as much as I can and push their dance abilities,” she said.

“We work a lot on technique, timing and our faces. The trick is not worrying about what other people think and trying to just have fun.”

Call-it Dance Studio opened in 2004 and now has 53 registered students. Collett provides instruction in everything from tap, jazz and lyrical dance to hip-hop and ballet.

Collett began dancing at the age of three and hoped to pursue a career as a professional dancer. Health issues eventually forced her to put that dream on hold.

“When I moved out here I thought it would be a good idea to start my own studio since there really isn’t any others in the area,” she said.

“Teaching is the next best thing to a dance career. I get to live out my dreams through my students.”

It’s an opportunity Collett’s students seem to be enjoying as well.

“I’ve always been shy and dance has helped that,” Nock said. “I’ve learned to just put myself out there because of dance.”

For more information about Call-it Dance Studio can call her at 353-4162.

prescott.james@canstarnews.com