Rotorua dancers to perform their way to New York and Orlando

A group of local dancers are working hard to make the dance trip of a lifetime happen, and will be sharing their talent as a way to get there.

A group of 22 dancers from Amjazz Dance Studios are travelling on September 29 to spend six days in New York before moving on to Orlando.

While in New York, they will take part in workshops with top choreographers and studios, including Broadway Dance Centre, Alvin Ailey, Steps on Broadway, The Juilliard School and Broadway Musical Theatre.

In Orlando the group will take part in workshops with Disney Performing Arts before taking to the stage in Disneyland Orlando.

The dancers' main fundraiser for the trip is a showcase called New York City Show.

The showcase will have a 1pm matinee and a 6pm evening show on Saturday, September 1 at John Paul College.

New York City Show co-ordinator Renee Guscott said the group would dance the 20-minute set they would be performing in Orlando.

Dancers from the wider performance group will also perform in the showcase.

There will be auctions and a raffle too.

She says there is a range of auction prizes up for grabs, including a helloworld travel voucher, accommodation in Bali and all sorts of adventure packages from around Rotorua.

"The community has been really supportive with donating items and we are really appreciative of that."

Guscott encouraged people to get behind the showcase because it was a great opportunity to support the dancers as they pursued their passion overseas.

"We've got 22 amazing dancers who are going to be representing themselves, Rotorua and New Zealand in the United States of America.

"They've put in a lot of hard work but it will be really worth it."

Dancer Erin McKnight, 17, was looking forward to being in New York because it had always been a dream of hers, and she was excited for the workshops too.

She was looking forward to the showcase and the group getting onstage together.

"Just to get up there and show what we can do, and showing our family and friends what we've spent all our time doing and money on."

Dancer Jordis Waitoa, 12, said she was looking forward to performing at Disneyland.

Dancer Alyssa Towler, 16, said she was excited to travel overseas and experience New York.

Tickets to the showcase can be bought at Amjazz Dance Studios, by contacting Renee Guscott at renee@bopoil.co.nz, or door sales at the Edmund Rice Centre on performance day.

For more information go to amjazz.co.nz