Chemainus Secondary School dance teacher Sarah Lane is working hard to build up the program at the school, and this week, the community will have a chance to see just how much work she and her students have put into it.
Chemainus Secondary School is hosting a Dance Showcase this Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. in the school’s theatre. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Students in Grades 9 to 12 will present a variety of dances, from lyrical, ballet and modern to hip hop, Michael Jackson-style dancing, jazz and musical theatre, said Lane.
“We’ve got solos, duos, trios and group numbers,” she said. “There’s just a huge variety of dances I’ve choreographed and the kids have been choreographing. (People) can expect a powerful, professional-quality show with a huge variety of dance styles.”
There will also be performances by dancers from the Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts in Nanaimo.
Lane says her students are excited to get up on stage and show everyone what they’ve been working on.
“They’re totally jazzed to show their stuff,” she said. “They’ve worked so hard since September. We dance every day, so it’s an awesome opportunity for the kids. It’s almost like a dance school feel because they get to dance every day, and we have great continuity.”
Students have had a lot of training this year, including a session with Ballet Victoria.
“This (showcase) is just sort of the culmination of lots of great stuff going on,” said Lane.
Lane, who also teaches drama, has been dancing since she was three years old and has studied at the University of Windsor and Canadian College of Performing Arts.
“I feel like I bring a really strong background of professional performance to the performing arts program at Chemainus Secondary School, so it’s been really exciting to be here this past year,” she said. “We hope to really be building (the program) every year to create a truly high-calibre performing arts program at Chemainus where it will be a real feature of the school that will draw talented kids to the area. We’re wanting to draw kids in so I can share my passion and experience and hopefully connections, and hopefully the goal for next year is to work on a musical.”
As the dance program at Chemainus Secondary School grows, the school is looking for old jazz shoes. Anyone who would like to donate shoes can contact Sarah Lane at slane@sd79.bc.ca.