The Cowra Dance Factory is set to take its talent to the seas, joining around 20 dance schools from across Australia for a special cruise organised by Ready Set Dance.
The event will feature a concert where students perform on board, giving Cowra’s dancers the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of a national audience while also connecting with like-minded performers from other regions.
Studio owner Larissa Pullen said the opportunity was too good to pass up.
“The cruise is being run by Ready Set Dance,” Ms Pullen said.
“Schools have been invited to come along, and I think there’s about 20 schools from around Australia who are going.
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“When we’re on the cruise, we put on a concert, so our students get to put on their own dance item in the concert on the cruise,” she said.
The idea was first floated a year ago, with Ready Set Dance extending the invitation to its affiliated schools.
Cowra Dance Factory quickly decided to take part.
“Ready Set Dance announced it about 12 months ago and invited all of their affiliated schools to participate if they want to,” Ms Pullen said.
“So we decided to jump on board, literally.”
Cowra students will be performing two jazz dance items as part of the program.
One of the most exciting aspects of the event will be a collaboration between Cowra’s youngest performers and a Victorian school.
“We have two items to do,” Ms Pullen said.
“One is our six years and under group, we have seven students in that age group, and they are doing a jazz dance item.
“They’re actually doing it alongside a school from Victoria, so some of their students will be performing in the same item, which will be a great little thing for the kids to meet other students who are like them,” she said.
The older group, made up of 11 students aged seven and above, will perform their own jazz piece.
“We have started rehearsals, and they’re working really hard to get ready,” she said.
The trip is being funded entirely by families, with no fundraising campaigns running this year.
Parents, siblings, and even grandparents are making the journey, turning the cruise into a memorable shared experience.
“Lots of students are bringing family members,” Ms Pullen said.
“Some families are just coming with mum and daughter, some are bringing all the siblings, and grandparents are coming along with some of the families as well.”
Beyond the performances, the Cowra Dance Factory sees the cruise as a chance to connect with other dancers and families from across the country.
“We’re really excited for the opportunity, and we’re excited to meet like-minded families from other dance schools around Australia,” Ms Pullen said.
