2024 was fabulous - at Alison's Studio of Dance

Some of the highlights for our 2024 studio year at Alison's Studio of Dance - so many wonderful achievements by our fabulous students throughout the year. :)

Our first highlight was our yearly studio seminar in Term 1 - 'Shrek' was our choice in 2024 and our students had an amazing day of learning dance routines and creating props for use in their dance routines. Our tutors were Ashley Hodges and Charli Sarten whose wonderful choreography catered for our ballet - jazz - tap - hip hop students with the day culminating with an amazing performance for parents/caregivers - which was received with huge applause.

Throughout the year we had several students attend dance competitions held in New Plymouth and Hawera - with several of our students being awarded Special Awards and Championships. Performing dance solos on stage is a huge achievement and all our lovely students showed their love of dance onstage and enjoyed fun backstage. Some of our competition students were also able to give back to our community by performing at 2 rest homes at the end of year in the leadup to Christmas.

Our medal tests were held end of Term 2 with students enjoying showing their dances to our examiner Mrs Croad - who enjoyed watching our students perform for their ballet or jazz medals. In Term 3 our tap and hip hop students enjoyed showcasing their dancing talents for their medals - again with Mrs Croad as our lovely examiner.

Jazz and Ballet grade exams/senior exams were held in Term 3 with great results achieved by our students. Being able to show off their hard work for the year and receiving acknowledgment back with certificates and/or medals is always wonderful. Special moments to be mentioned are - Aria van der Sar being awarded a 'Shining Star on Exam Day' by our jazz examiner - and our fabulous senior student Amelie Tippett achieving her Jazz Solo Diploma along with a NZAMD nomination for scholarship weekend (held in Wellington).

Our students love to perform and had the wonderful opportunity to show this by performing at Centre City mall in June with students as young as 4 thru to our advanced students being involved and showcasing their dance abilities with ballet, jazz, hip hop and contemporary solo and group performances. This was a lovely performing opportunity with wonderful support shown by mall shoppers on the day.

Finale for our year was our End Of Year Concert held Dec 1 - with all students involved from age 3 up. Many performed onstage for their very first time and it was a fabulous finish to our year of dance with lots of smiles and amazing dancing being shown to proud parents.

We also need to acknowledge and congratulate our students on some very special achievements in 2024 -

Arabella who was awarded the IDTA Ballet Grade scholarship for 2023 for her Grade 5 Ballet exam.
Amelie who was awarded NZMAD jazz nomination and achieved her Jazz Solo Diploma - and was also accepted to full time training at Brent Street Performing Academy for 2025.
Jessica who attended NZ School of Dance as a 2024 scholar - and will in 2025 be an Affiliate with Annalise Gilberd Academy in Christchurch.

2024 was a wonderful year of dance and amazing achievements - we are looking forward to 2025 and can't wait to see what our lovely students will achieve as we progress thru the year. Let's get dancing :)