Success for Taupō at DanceNZMade nationals

Solo performers at DanceNZMade nationals. Kaylie McAdie and Shayla-Rose Smith (kneeling at front). Onera Beck (back left) Grace Davies, Alana Pointon, and Grace Merwyn (back right). Photo / Iggy Gloy

Every year he says Taupō is punching above its weight.

Dean Mckerras from DanceNZMade is talking about dance of course and this year Taupō has come away with many of the top awards from New Zealand's most prestigious competition for school age dancers.

It's been a year where dance studios have held classes over Zoom and students skipped with delight at being allowed back into their studios in May.

The regional competition was held in August and the best from Taupō were chosen to dance in the national competition held last weekend in Palmerston North.

DanceNZMade year 13 second place was awarded to Alana Pointon. Photo / Susana Buckton

Parent Susan Bonnet said it was an incredible weekend and the Taupō dancers and supporters were very proud.

Taupō-nui-a-Tia dance teacher Iggy Gloy said she was blown away by the dancers' success and thrilled that the college placed second overall nationally.

Tauhara College dance teacher Jacinda Wilson said Tauhara College chose not to send their qualifying teams to the competition so as to support students with their academic and NCEA studies. Instead, a Tauhara College dance show is planned for November 26 at the Great Lake Centre to celebrate dance students.

DanceNZMade 2020 national results

First Place in their age group were Taupō Intermediate and Taupō-nui-a-Tia College Year 9 and 10. Taupō-nui-a-Tia open team placed second overall and in the open team category. Third place for their age group was Hilltop School Year 3 to 6.

Regional solo champions were announced, first equal between Taupō-nui-a-Tia College Year 12 student Grace Merwyn and Tauhara College Year 13 student Alana Pointon.

Year 13 soloist second place Alana Pointon, Year 12 soloist third place Grace Davies, Year 11 Soloist third place Onera Beck, Year 8 soloist second place Shayla-Rose Smith third place Kaylie McAdie.