A trio from Sundre's Move Yourself Dance studio recently came out on top during the group's last big event for the summer.
Numerous members of the local dance school participated on June 24-25 in the Rising Star Championship Festival held in Drumheller.
Almost 30 of the group's dancers had actually qualified to compete, but because of scheduling conflicts during the hectic summer months, only seven entries from Sundre were able to go, said tap instructor Wendy Read, who went with them.
They included one group of four grades 3-4 girls, three duets, two solos as well as the trio, she said.
"Our advanced hip hop trio Respect ó consisting of Paige Read, Hunter Jackson and Brooke Jackson ó won the dance-off finals for dance champions of the year."
Considering there were also much larger groups with as many as a dozen dancers from other studios competing, the Sundre trio's big finish was "an amazing achievement!"
The other entries from Sundre also fared well, with several of them finishing in second or third place in their divisions, she said.
"They all danced great and had great marks," she told the Round Up.
"For the small dance studio we are, we did amazing."
Although the studio's regular dance classes ended more than a month ago, a dance camp was held Tuesday to Friday last week.
Students had a chance to practise some hip hop as well as tap dance moves at the club's studio located at the Sundre Pioneer Museum grounds in the historic school as well as at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.
Registration for the next season will start either in late August or early September, and Read plans to remain involved as an instructor.
"The kids keep inspiring me to come back. Every year they just amaze me with what they've accomplished," she said.
"It's just a joy to teach the kids."
However, she added there are adult classes available as well and that she even works with a 76-year-old student.
"It's fun for ages four and up!"
Visit www.moveyourselfdance.com for more information about the studio.
