Young talent going unnoticed

Ally Wells, 8, melts hearts with her song and dance routine at Baycourt yesterday. Photo / George Novak

Heart-rending performances to a near-empty theatre at Baycourt has judges and teachers wondering how to boost public interest in the Tauranga Festival of Performing Arts.

Apart from a smattering of parents and supporters, there was hardly anyone else to enjoy appealing performances in yesterday's junior tap dancing section of the festival.

With the festival continuing all this week, culminating in a concert on Sunday, Penny Ward of Te Puke's Academy of Dance said it would be lovely to see more people enjoying the fantastic talent on display.

Image 1 of 12: Tap solo 7 & under 9 Ayla Loughin. Photo/George Novak

The festival attracts the cream of young performers from the upper North Island, showcasing disciplines including speech and drama, singing, instrumental, Highland dancing, tap, ballet and modern dance.

With admission for adults at just $2 per session, the festival's tap dancing adjudicator Sue Beu said it was a marvellous opportunity for the community to enjoy the depth of talent.

She suggested it would be a hugely entertaining outing for residents of Tauranga's many retirement and lifestyle villages.

Mrs Ward agreed that elderly people would love the dazzling talent on display at the festival.

"It is getting the word out there so people know."

She has 12 dancers competing in the festival, with 8-year-old Ally Wells enchanting everyone with her first prize-winning song and dance routine, "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" from the musical Annie.

Ally, recently returned from Australia's Gold Coast Showcase performing arts festival, said she really liked going on stage and performing in front of large audiences.

"I don't get nervous."

She has been a pupil of the academy for five years, with her experience showing through in Australia where she managed to get placed in routines despite the huge disadvantage of coming down with a vomiting bug.

Mrs Beu, who lived in Australia for 12 years before settling in Northland, said the Showcase event was an opportunity for the Aussies to see how good the kiwi kids were.

"It's an eye opener."

Ally yesterday won the tap solo for dancers aged 7 and under 9 years, and the tap song and dance for under 9 years.