The Eriksdale Dance Troupe is preparing for their annual recital, slated for May 11 this year.
Each of the eight dance classes in Eriksdale will perform at the recital, with 32 dancers total showing their skills in creative movement, ballet, and jazz styles for the community. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet also sends dancers to do solo performances each year, sometimes two or four, depending on availability.
This year’s recital will start at 7 p.m. in the Eriksdale School. Tickets will be available ahead of the date. Though not ready yet, interim coordinator Christina Kallstrom said once they are, the Eriksdale Dance Troupe will make social media posts letting everyone know. People can also email Kallstrom with questions at rec@rmofwestinterlake.com.
The Eriksdale dance program begins in September and ends with the recital in May. The dancers work toward the performance all year. Kallstrom said classes start working on their performances shortly after Christmas.
Creative Movement is the youngest Eriksdale dance class. There, four-year-old dancers learn the basic movements, how to work with others, and how to move their bodies fluidly. Next are ballet classes, which dancers start at five years old and stay in until high school graduation.
“Ballet is beautiful to watch,” said Kallstrom. “I am the proudest of the ballet dancers and watching them grow and learn.”
Jazz also starts at around five years old for dancers and some jazz dancers turn into hip-hop dancers as well. Kallstrom said the dance teachers typically take their teaching cues from the dancers on what to lean toward the following season.
The Eriksdale Dance Troupe has two teachers from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet who come once a week. Once a year, the troupe goes to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet to practice in front of big mirrors and tour the school, which Kallstrom said is the highlight of each dance season.
The dance troupe has been around for 24 years, and this year, Kallstrom and Dayna Emms kept it alive as the main coordinator had to step back. The end-of-year recital has been a long-standing tradition with the group, offering the dancers the opportunity to showcase the skills they’ve worked on throughout the year to the community, friends, and family. They also receive certificates that go to the next level.
“The kids work really hard on their routines and are proud to showcase their talent that night,” said Kallstrom. “This year we have an awesome group of dancers — so full of life and talent. I am really looking forward to seeing all they can do at recital; we don’t get to see the dancers all year practising so recital is a surprise for all of us.”
She added that this year has been challenging with class cancellations due to weather and sickness, but the dancers have come to each class ready and willing to learn and “dance their hearts out.”
