Junior School Boys in Groove

Junior School Dance Boys In Groove

Ms Elise Kukulka Dance Coordinator

Imagine a room filled with young, energetic and passionate Junior School boys all working together to learn dance steps for a 4 minute routine: welcome to BIG for 2013. A group of 24 students, selected from the 50 that auditioned, proved that the earlier the passion for dance strikes, the more fun it can be.

With help from the BIG assistants Jordan Bagshaw (10.6) and Giordano Ronzan (10.3), the boys started the year learning the basics of hip-hop and break: gliding, shuffling, tutting, popping and top-rocking. Work then began on transforming these newly acquired skills into a routine: “OMG: Can’t Hold These Moves.” Combining three different songs into one mash up, the dance was focused on celebrating the boys’ love for dance.

This dance routine was the opening act for the very successful Dance Drama Showcase held in week 2 of Term 3. The audience were delighted with the routine; in particular, the feedback from parents showed the enjoyment they received in watching boys perform individual and solo moves. Two awards were given out on the night, one to Zac Wayne (6 White) (Choreographer’s Award) and the other to Jayden Nguyen (4 White) (Most Valuable Dancer).

Week 3 of Term 3 then saw the boys perform this same routine at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre for the Catholic Schools’ Performing Arts Festival, to a much larger audience. This was the first time most students had ever performed to a crowd so large and they won the hearts of many with their energy and passion for dance. The year ended with the boys performing a newer version of the routine with the addition of a much higher energy song to end the dance. New choreography was learnt that focused on partner work and creating more of a ‘party’ atmosphere. This proved a challenge as the boys had to work hard to learn new positions and steps in a short amount of time, but they rose to the task and this piece was performed for the College Community at the Junior School Presentation Night in Gibney Hall at the end of Term 4. The parents were delighted with the performance and I was overwhelmed with positive comments on the boys’ abilities.

Special thanks must go to my parent helpers for their dedication to the BIG group this year: I thank Mrs Camille Mangan, Mrs Natalie White, Mrs Donna Wojtowicz and Mrs Felicity Yeo for their efforts with costumes and back stage work. I would also like to sincerely thank the entire Junior School Staff for their assistance throughout the year, and particularly Mr Mark Hackett and Miss Lisa Laurino. Auditions for next year begin in week 2 of Term 1 and I can’t wait to discover the next group of BIG for 2014.

Ms Elise Kukulka Dance Coordinator

Boys in Groove Back Row: Ethan Gosatti, Ashley Lloyd, Iszac Wayne, Jack Rhodes, Joshua Turibaka, Fynnigan Langer, Jack Wojtowicz Middle Row: Daniel Vos, Harrison Hamlyn, Louis James, Oscar Steegstra, Benjamin Turibaka, Zach Brennan, Matthew Roche, Jess Higgins, Miss Elise Kukulka Front Row: Anthony Harcombe, Oliver White, Alex Devilee, Alexander Homsany, Oliver Cranny, Cameron Pell, Ashton Jones, Jayden Nguyen Absent: Jacob Mangan

Members of BIG perform at the Dance and Drama Night