The City of Sale Eisteddfod has again delivered strong results for Jan Pianta School of Dance (JPSD), with local performers achieving outstanding success across a seven-day program held from April 7–12 at the Sale Memorial Hall.
JPSD dancers competed across a wide range of theatrical styles, including classical ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, demi character and neo classical/lyrical, as well as improvisation sections where performers danced to unfamiliar music on the spot.
Three dancers also qualified for the championship and scholarship sections, underlining the depth of talent within the school.
Adjudicator Karly Harris, a Western Victorian-based dance professional and sister of former Australian Ballet principal artist Amy Harris, praised the standard of training throughout the competition.
“JPSD dancers are beautifully trained,” she said during the event.
Standout results included:
Elizabeth Gray – First: 16 and over classical ballet, contemporary and demi character; Honourable Mention (HM): neoclassical/lyrical
Iris Miller – First: 14-and-over demi-character; Third: under-13/14 contemporary improvisation; HM: neoclassical/lyrical improvisation, contemporary and jazz
Charli McInnes – First: under-13 jazz improvisation; under-14 and under-16 tap, contemporary, neoclassical/lyrical, classical ballet and demi-character. Third: under-14 jazz.
Indi Rijs – Second: 12-and-under hip hop.
Ella McInnes – First: 12-and-under contemporary improvisation and contemporary; Second: neoclassical/lyrical improvisation, neoclassical/lyrical and classical ballet; Third: 10-and-under jazz.
Olivia McInnes – First: under-10 contemporary, jazz, neoclassical/lyrical and classical ballet; under-12 jazz improvisation and tap. Third: under-10 hip hop.
Heidi Kelly – Honourable Mention: Seven-and-under novice jazz.
The 14-and-under jazz duo of Charli McInnes, Iris Miller and Indi Rijs placed third, while the 12-and-under classical ballet troupe of Imogen Diamond, Charlotte Dingwall, Heidi Kelly, Annabelle Kennedy, Angus McDonald, Ella McInnes, Olivia McInnes and Evie Simpson finished second.
In the baby ballerina championship (nine and under), Olivia McInnes placed first and received a $50 prize.
Other notable results included:
– Junior classical championship (12-and-under): Ella McInnes – third
– Junior jazz championship (12-and-under): Olivia McInnes – highly commended
– Senior jazz championship (13-and-over): Charli McInnes – highly commended
The highlight of the week came in the James Templeton senior classical ballet scholarship, where 13-year-old Charli McInnes claimed the perpetual trophy and $400 prize money.
“Charli performed beautifully against dancers older than herself — it was a truly outstanding achievement,” said Jan Pianta.
Aggregate awards were also presented to Olivia McInnes (under 10) and Charli McInnes (under-14), while Ella McInnes received Most Promising under-12.
Teachers and choreographers Shaun Carr and Jan Pianta praised all students for their performances and commitment throughout the event.
