MURRAY Youth Performing Arts will make a splash with its annual concert on Saturday when it presents Under The Sea – A Mermaid’s Tale.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Almost 100 performers, who range in age from one to 70, will hit the Albury Entertainment Centre stage from 2pm in the dance spectacular.
“While it is based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen Little Mermaid story, it has been adapted to suit all our dance styles,” Murray Youth director Libby Ellis says.
“We needed something versatile that catered for all the classes, the performance has a good mixture of modern dance and still has some great classical ballet.”
Murray Youth Performing Arts offers classical ballet training using the Royal Academy of Dance syllabi from the Pre-Primary to Advanced 2 level.
It also offers classes in contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop, highland dancing and musical theatre for all ages.
Mrs Ellis, who took over the dance school about 18 months ago, says the modern production has been challenging but rewarding.
“The concert is slightly different to what we would normally do,” she says.
“It came out of a meeting earlier this year when all the teachers threw their ideas into the hat.
“It was all about giving all the kids a go and giving everyone a chance to perform on the stage.”
Lead dancers for the spectacular Border production are Albury’s Molly Parnell, 15, who will play the mermaid, and Laura McCormack, 15, who will play the sea witch.
Former Murray Youth student Rowan Brunt, 22, has returned from Sydney for the show.
“The students and staff have had a lot of fun working on the choreography,” Mrs Ellis says.
“It has been a real team effort, it’s the same every year, parents, everyone is involved. It is really inclusive.”
Tickets for the show are available from the studio in Townsend Street (02) 6021 0688 and will be available from the Entertainment Centre on Saturday.
MYPA will donate its raffle proceeds to the Let’s Go Lil fundraiser, which is raising money for a wheelchair accessible car for Lillian Dyball’s family.
Lillian, who goes to kindergarten at Glenroy Public School, attends dance classes at Murray Youth Performing Arts each week.
On Saturday she will dress as a jellyfish in the studio’s production.
