The 2024 College Dance Showcase lit up the Elliot Hall stage over the last two nights of Term 2, offering a taste of the multitalented dance community. This year’s showcase blended dance films and student interviews with live performances, packed to the brim with over 190 talented students. These dancers came from all year groups and each breathed life into their meticulously rehearsed routines, providing two hours of quality entertainment.

Head of Dance Geordan Wilcox and Teacher in Charge of Middle School Dance Ichiro Harada were at the helm, guiding the students through months of preparation. “It is a pleasure to be involved in this process and to see firsthand the passion, dedication, and talent of the students while they develop their skills, confidence, and creativity,” Geordan remarked.

The showcase opened with breathtaking performances by the Junior Dance Troupes, whose energy and enthusiasm set the tone for the evening. Highlights included the dynamic Rich Girl choreographed by Amelie Carter, Juliet Rae, Ava Tahapehi, and Hayley Chong, and the AIMS Hip Hop Crew’s high-energy ‘Barbie Girl’, which saw the dancers contrast ballet and contemporary with street grunge and groove.

The Hip Hop Senior Academy’s ‘Get Low’ oozed energy, and the audience couldn’t help but wish to go up and groove with them. To close the first half, the students of Te Roopu Kapa Haka o Hāto Kēneti performed ‘Pito Mata’, a beautiful piece about releasing potential choreographed by Allen Martin, Jamaria Chan Ka, and Whaea Jasmine Martin.

The second half of the evening was equally impressive, featuring the Hip Hop Mega Crew, the Senior Contemporary Academy, and all of the student NCEA choreographers. Our students shone, presenting original pieces that explored themes such as identity, unity, and friendship.

Special thanks were given to guest choreographers and former students whose contributions added a professional polish to the performances. Their involvement confirms the strength of our dance community, even after our collegiates have graduated.

Reflecting on his last showcase at the College, Geordan noted, “I am filled with immense pride and gratitude. Over the years, I have had the privilege of witnessing the incredible growth of the Dance programme and the remarkable talent of our students. The success of our programme in nurturing and supporting so many young dancers has been a source of great joy and fulfilment for me.”

The Dance Showcase was not just an event but a celebration of the arts, bringing together students, teachers, and the community in a shared appreciation of dance. As the final curtain fell, the applause echoed the collective acknowledgment of the hard work, talent, and passion that made the Dance Showcase an unforgettable success.

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