The annual MAGS dance concert IIluminate was held at The Raye Freedman Arts Centre on June 16 and 17 to full audiences over the three performances.
There was a huge variety of dance genres and ideas on display with all classes of our nearly 270 students being assessed for performance standards with additional performances of some scholarship submissions, and excellence level student choreographies.
From these creative and skilled contemporary pieces by students, to the energy of each of the classes’ performance items, the energy was palpable. The 44 Year 9s worked together to meld jazz and geometry. The three Year 10 classes had very different pieces: 10DNA had the opportunity to work with a guest contemporary artist, with the other other class exploring the fusion of Samoan culture and contemporary movement, and the boys class impressing with their “stepping” routine.
Year 11 classes demonstrated their skill in Gumboot dancing, and the Year 12 classes showed their expertise in both Bollywood dance and a wonderful country and western inspired version of Footloose – clearly a crowd favourite. Year 13 classes took us back to the 70s with a piece inspired by the fact that students spend as much time dancing for TikTok on their phones than for each other, while the other combined Year 12/13 class gave an outstanding performance based on the dynamic relationship between the bull and the matador, inspired by the movement of Paso Doble.
Director of Arts Co-curricular Ms Cesan said, “We were lucky enough this year to be entertained by four of our beautiful ballet students who performed their Variations for us.
“If this wasn’t enough our extension performance groups gave wonderful performances. The junior group did a jazz dance about busy city life, while the senior group did a beautiful lyrical piece about shared light, and, of course, we were given the chance to see “the award-winning” Pride crew in action
“All in all a great hour of dance performed with passion by all groups.
“Thanks to all those teaching staff who took the time to come and support the students. It really meant a lot to them that you were there.”
