Paris Foster – Year 10

This year Paris took out the coveted top award for her age group at the New Zealand Dance Awards.

For the second year running, Paris was “New Zealand Top Dancer” in the Intermediate Division.

Being the 10-year anniversary of this competition, the top five national dancers performed at the Gala in Te Pae Convention Centre in Christchurch in front of a huge audience, with a judging panel comprising of top industry professionals from Australasia. Paris was also awarded the “Most likely to have a professional career in dance” award

What a year for Paris – a stunning achievement.

Kate Eggleston – Year 11

This year Kate was nominated to compete as a soloist in both ballet and tap in the NYPA – National Young Performers’ Awards at PACANZ in Palmerston North. As well as the two solo entries she’s also part of the SABA lyrical troupe competing at NYPA. With fierce competition in an age group that went up to 21, she was the only double nominee through the finals in both ballet and tap. Although she didn’t end up placing this year, it was a great honour for Kate who spends 25 hours a week out of school time at dance classes – an incredible dedication.

Sophie Power – Year 7

Sophie has topped all the regional dance competitions this year with some stunning results. And the icing on the cake was at the New Zealand Dance Awards Finals in Christchurch, where she also took 1^st place for her age group.

Jazz solo 11 Years (1^st Place)

Musical Theatre Solo 11 Years (1^st Place)

Mini Jazz, and the Mini Lyrical and Intermediate Lyrical Troupes (all 1^st Place)

She took out 1^st places in Jazz, Musical Theatre and Lyrical at the Bays Jazz Competition,  Auckland Highlands Dance, MEBA Awards, Tauranga Performing Arts Competition and South Auckland Performing Arts.

Sophie is definitely one to watch and we know how strong our dance program is here at Diocesan, so we look forward to seeing these girls perform at our annual Night of Dance.