Young dancers from Yarrawonga, Corowa, Wangaratta and Benalla took their passion for dance to the high seas and competed on a cruise ship, winning all of their sections.
It’s not every day you get the chance to dance on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean, but 12 young dancers from Yarrawonga, Corowa, Wangaratta and Benalla have just had that incredible experience.
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The students from Danzworx took their passion for dance beyond the stage, creating unforgettable memories as they performed on the open ocean aboard the Carnival Splendor in a unique cruise ship dance competition.
The competition offered a very different experience from traditional dance events, allowing the dancers to attend workshops, watch other performers and enjoy activities on board while building confidence away from the studio.
For the young performers, the experience was about far more than trophies and results.
It was about friendship, confidence, independence and sharing their love of dance in a setting most dancers never get the opportunity to experience.
Yarrawonga dancer, Ashlyn Thomas dances on board the Carnival Splendor.
Danzworx director Michelle Parisi said the opportunity had been several years in the making after being delayed by COVID, but when the competition returned, it was an adventure the dancers and their families were excited to embrace.
The 10-day cruise departed from Sydney with about 70 people from the Danzworx community taking part, including the dancers and their families.
The dancers, aged from eight to 17 years, came together forming friendships across different studios while competing as one team.
Michelle said one of the most rewarding aspects was watching the younger and older dancers form strong friendships.
I saw nine and 10-year-olds mucking around with the 15-year-olds,” Michelle said.
“The friendships they built were incredible.”
For 12 young dancers, the experience was about far more than trophies and results.
The dancers performed four new routines in jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip-hop, which were choreographed especially for the competition.
Michelle created the costumes, while the routines and music choices were developed with Miss Jordan.
The dancers achieved outstanding results, winning all of their sections and placing third overall in the South Pacific Championships.
Michelle said performing at sea created a unique challenge, with the ship moving during the competition.
“The girls had to learn to adapt because it was quite rocky at times,” she said.
“Some people couldn’t even walk down the hallway, yet these girls were out there dancing, doing their best and performing safely.
“It gave them independence and confidence, but also memories they will have forever.
“The dancing was important, but the experience of doing it together was the biggest thing.
“It was about doing something different, but most importantly, they got to experience it together, doing something they love.”
Friendships were formed when dancers from Danzworx students from four different towns came together to compete.
