Northern Lights School of Dance received major accolades at competitions in Fort St. John and Prince George
“Our dancers begin preparing for these events in September, often devoting long hours — especially Sundays — to learning choreography, rehearsing, and refining their technique,”
This spring, 21 dedicated dancers from Northern Lights School of Dance (NLSD) represented the Yukon at the Prince George Dance Festival during spring break.
“This week-long festival is a true marathon of dance, with performances running daily from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., featuring solos, duos, trios, and group numbers across all age groups and styles,” explains Marcy Mills, NLSD’s stage dance director and acting artistic director.
“Studios from across northern British Columbia, including Kitimat, Terrace, Prince Rupert, Quesnel and Prince George, gathered to share their artistry and passion. Many of our dancers performed in four to five routines per day, a testament to their stamina, preparation, and love for the art.”
Only weeks later, 14 NLSD students also participated and competed in the Peace River North Festival of the Arts in Fort St. John, B.C. The five-day festival welcomed studios from Fort St. John, Prince George, and Dawson Creek, B.C., and according to Mills, “provided another wonderful opportunity for our dancers to perform, grow, and connect with fellow artists.”
NLSD dancers placed 29 times and took home two major awards from the Peace River North festival and placed 26 times at the Prince George Dance Festival. Born and raised in Prince George herself, it was a full-circle moment for Mills, and one that came with an incredible amount of hard work and intense preparation.
“Our dancers begin preparing for these events in September, often devoting long hours — especially Sundays — to learning choreography, rehearsing, and refining their technique,” Mills says. “Through this process, they grow not only as dancers but as individuals: developing confidence, resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. They are elite athletes who continually push themselves physically and artistically, inspired by each other and the opportunity to perform.”
NLSD operates under a mandate of being vibrant, inclusive and dedicated to nurturing a love for movement and artistic expression. The school offers classes for all ages and skill levels, in a multitude of styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop, aiming to provide a supportive environment where students can develop their confidence, technique and creativity.
“At Northern Lights, our focus is never on winning,” Mills says. “Instead, we aim to give our best effort in every rehearsal and class, so that when it’s time to perform, our dancers can step onstage knowing they’ve prepared to shine. Any award or recognition is simply the cherry on top of the cake — a cake they’ve been baking with care and dedication all year long.”
The president of NLSD’s board of directors, Lindsay Hartland, commended the efforts of the dancers and Mills in a press statement. “Our dancers have poured their hearts and souls into their work, and it’s clearly demonstrated in their performances and the recognition they receive at these competitive events.
“With the leadership of Marcy Mills, and with the countless hours in the studio, they’ve grown into some of Yukon’s finest dancers, with both moves and choreography that continue to wow their audiences. I’m so very proud of each and every student at NLSD.”
These recent victories were not possible without the help and dedication of everyone working with the dance school or lending a hand in some capacity, Mills notes.
“We’re deeply grateful to the incredible teachers and choreographers who guide our dancers with skill and passion, and to the parents, guardians, and volunteers who make this all possible through fundraising, transportation, and endless support,” she says.
“A special thank-you goes to our trip chaperones, Michelle Watson and Karen Campbell, who made sure our dancers were well-fed, rested, and performance-ready — even if that meant last-minute hotel dashes for forgotten shoes or tights!”
To learn more about the NLSD and keep up with its events, visit nlsdyukon.com. Many of the school’s award-winning dances were to be performed at their show, NEWS….To Us! at the Yukon Arts Centre (YAC) on May 9 and 10.
The show is a dance-driven production inspired by the fast-paced world of television news. Shortly after, the NLSD dancers are also performing at the “Celebration of Swans — Our Ode to Swan Lake”, on May 14 and 15, also at the YAC. This show is a reimagining of a classic, celebrating transformation, resilience, and unity.
“We are proud beyond words,” says Mills. “Here’s to another season of passion, growth, and artistry!”
