A troupe of 15 dancers from Paul’s All Star Dance Studio took to the stage at the Showcase National Dance Championships held at Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast in January. 

In an exhausting week of competition which saw dancers aged from seven to 16 compete in solo and group events, Paul’s All Star Dance Studio took home two first places, two second places, a third and fourth. The dancers were Zoe Kell, Lexi Rayner, Inde Rayner, Tori Stokes, Monique Monk, Jasmine Willmont, Gemma Willmont, Jacinda Povey, Madison Summers, Britney Young, Layne Grant, Taylor Evans, Taylor Casey, Courtney Lawrence and Skye Lawrence. 

The two first places were taken out by the junior ballet group and modern/lyrical group (dancers aged seven to 10-years). The competition for the national titles was fierce, with dance studios from across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Canada competing. 

The local dancers secured a spot in the showcase, which this year marked its 20th anniversary, after auditioning in Newcastle last August. For admittance into the final, each troupe had to score more than 180 points out of 200. As well as qualifying in group events, seven-year-old Zoe Kell was selected to compete in the solo competition. 

While Zoe did not finish in the placings in her solo at the finals, she still secured two Gold Awards, as her performance earned more than 180 points out of the 200. 

The competition was the culmination of 12-months of work by the dancers and the studio. 

Parent and studio helper Lori Hansen said the competition allowed the dancers to meet and make friends with other up-and-coming dancers, see other dance schools in action and produce quality production numbers. 

Among the performances that the students produced was a choreographed tribute to Chicago to the song ‘They both reached for the gun’. Zoe Kell was drafted in late to take the lead role after another dancer could not make the competition. It was an exhausting few days of competition as dances were staged throughout the day and even into the night. The All Star Dance Studio’s performance of Chicago did not take the stage until almost 1am, with dancers shaking off their drowsiness to pull off a wonderful show, Ms Hansen said. 

Among the other performance highlights was a circus-themed dance. 

Choreography for the group is by the studio’s instructor and former professional dancer Paul Kemp. He also designs the costumes, which are lovingly made by his mother Janet. 

Ms Hansen said their dedication drove the studio’s success. 

“There is also the dedication of the parents, who are on board dressing for the stage, doing hair and makeup...They do a great job,” she said. 

The last 12 months has been a stellar one for the studio, now in its eighth year of operation. Last year the studio was placed in the top five per cent of Australasia with the British Ballet Organisation. In competitions held throughout the year the studio took home 345 placings; 96 from the Tamworth City Eisteddfod alone. 

Talented dancers Layne Grant, Brittany Glanville and Jasmine Willmott were awarded major dance scholarships at the 2013 Tamworth Eisteddfod to encourage them to develop their skills in tap and classical ballet. 

The dancers are now preparing for the Live to Dance Challenge in Gosford on March 28 to 30.