Eight dancers successfully represented Kaiapoi High School at the DanceNZmade Inter-school Regional Competition held on Monday 30 July.

Dance is an increasingly popular school subject, as shown by the large number of 28 students from Kaiapoi High that performed at the Regionals this year.  Well done to all these students.  They all worked very hard and made a fantastic contribution to the show.

Year 10 student Rhearn Le Huray was awarded the top trophy of the competition, the Director's Award for Perfection in Dance. The judges took into consideration her interpretation of the lyrics, as well as the performance itself and the emotion created by the choreography.

Duo performers Brooke Hurley and Macy Smith, both Year 10, entered the contest last year, but danced together for the first time this year and were rewarded with a place in the finals.

Year 9 student Ty Oldroyd danced in the Hip Hip section, providing another win for Kaiapoi.

The successful entrants in the group dance – Athena Merrick, Sophia Sullivan, Amy Templer and Nicola van Meer – performed a mix of jazz and lyrical dance.

The students said that they found the massive stage at the Isaac Theatre Royal quite over-powering, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience of performing in the prestigious Christchurch theatre.

Students have to design their own costumes and choreography.

Six of the eight successful dancers will repeat their performances at the finals in Palmerston North on 21/22 September.