Award-winning entertainment from these local dancers

A local dance school has been wowing audiences while embracing their first touring opportunities since the end of the pandemic.

The most advanced team at the Canadian School of Ballet in Kelowna, was on the road recently, and at their most recent Vancouver competition won the Final Hour Showdown. It's an award given to the studio which the judges decide offered the best entertainment.

“It’s the most exciting piece in the competition, so that was a huge accomplishment for these girls and the studio as well,” instructor Taylor Gnam told Kelowna10 while overseeing a practice session at the local studio.

The jazz piece, to the Lady Gaga hit Born This Way, was choreographed by Carley Bailey, one of the owners of the dance studio.

‘It’s a lot of jumping and it’s a fast-moving, fun piece the girls love to perform,” Gnam said. “The costumes add such a fun vibe.”

Among the troupe is Sydney McLeod, who has been dancing for 12 years.

“We’re all like sisters here,” she said. “The winning is a really good part of it, but we like being part of a team and supporting one another.”

“Just moving your body and staying active gets your head away from things, and it’s a really safe place to come from school at the end of the day.”

For Gnam, it’s about more than teaching the girls technique, work ethic and how to be a strong dancer.

“We’re also teaching them to be independent and confident people.”