Doin’ it for the kids
The under 16 dancers strike a pose.
A GLITTERING dance contest which raised thousands of pounds for two city charities last year is promising be even bigger and better this year with the introduction of a juniors competition too.
And this week the Highland News which is supporting Strictly Inverness 2011 is happy to reveal who the teeny boppers will be.
Auditions for the three-day extravaganza, which is held in aid of the Highland Hospice and the Inverness Ice Centre, were held in December and as well as the 16 adult contestants, 18 younger competitors battled it out to win their place in this year’s competition, which will take place in May.
Latin American and modern ballroom dance teacher Tristian Hill explained the youngsters, who are all aged between six and 12 years, will be dancing to Disney-themed tunes on the night.
He said: "They are all very enthusiastic about the dancing and they can’t wait to get started. I’m very impressed by all of them at the moment. It’s a great theme and bound to get people in the mood on the night."
The junior dancers will be expected to perform one dance each on the night, which will be held on the Thursday, May 12.
Tristian said: "We wanted just to ease the juniors into it, but I’m sure that it will be a very entertaining evening. The couple’s were paired up, just as the adults were, on things like height, experience, age. So far I think they are all getting on with each other!"
And Tristian revealed that if the youngsters go down a storm this year, next year will be an even bigger night for the new pool of contestants.
He said: "We’d like to really expand on the junior’s night next year – maybe more dances. But as for this year, the nine couples will be judged on their performance on the night and there will be one overall couple who will walk away with the title. It’s a real mixed bag of contestants for the juniors, some have gone to dance school and some are complete beginners, so it will be a real challenge too."
Dancer Angus Franklin (7) who will be taking part in the competition, said: "Tonight was great fun and very exciting. I can’t wait to start learning to dance – I’ve done a bit of ceilidh dancing before, but this is all completely new!"
And Olivia Macdonald (8), who is also in the junior competition, said: "This is going to be such a great experience. I looking forward to the lessons with my partner Tai and I’m so excited about the night of the competition!"
