The jury has delivered its verdict, the audience has cast its vote and a new crop of winners has emerged from the 2011 Sydney Eisteddfod McDonald’s Dance of Champions, held on Sunday at the Sunday at the Science Theatre, University of New South Wales.
A tap troupe from Dance Junction, Seven Hills, won the jury vote performing Sing, Sing, Sing. Choreographed by principal Shayne Allen, this narrative number tells of a conductor who creates madness, magic and mayhem when he tries to incorporate the sound of tapping feet into an orchestral arrangement.
A stylish song and dance group from Brent Street Studios, who presented Roxanne from Moulin Rouge took second place and a delightful ribbon-waving quintet from the Chinese Youth League finished third.
A group of dancers from Dubbo Ballet Studio won the People’s Choice Award dancing a joyous, lyrical piece, The Last Gasp. Complete with coloured balloons, this routine was choreographed in revived Greek-style by studio principal Anna Bloomfield. The audience awarded second and third places to groups from St Columba Anglican School, Port Macquarie, and Shore Prep School, North Sydney. Both qualified through the School Dance section of the Sydney Eisteddfod program and as few of the participants train outside school hours, their performances reflect favourably on the standard of dance teaching that now has a place in the curriculum at many schools.
Prizes $5000, $3000 and $2000 were awarded the placegetters in each section and the 14 unplaced finalists received $500 each.
The Sydney Eisteddfod McDonald’s Dance of Champions will screen nationally in an hour-long on Network 10 on November 6 at 2pm.