Solo Seal success

Posted by on August 22, 2023

Congratulations to senior dancers Tayla Doran & Bella Soper who recently passed their Solo Seal and final dance examinations with outstanding results. Both dancers passed with Honours with Distinction and received fantastic marks of 99%.

Solo Seal is the highest level in Modern Jazz with Asia Pacific Dance Association (APDA).  The performance examination in June included choreographing and performing 3 dance pieces with varying styles and passing an audition examination. It is the highest level in APDA dance syllabi, which includes 10 levels and is taught throughout NZ, Australia, South Africa and Asia.  

Both dancers sat the examinations in June and have been attending dance lessons in modern and classical styles since preschoolers.  They are also both certified teachers and enjoy passing on their knowledge to other young Wanaka dancers.  

Senior teacher at Dance Wanaka studios, Riki Young, commends them both for their achievements.

"A huge congratulations to both Tayla and Bella on their exceptional achievement. Not only reaching the highest level of Solo Seal but also passing with an exceptional result of honours with distinction. Their dedication, passion, and hard work has led them to this amazing accomplishment and as their teacher I couldn’t be any prouder of their well-deserved success".

Other high achievers in this years APDA examinations who received Honours with Distinction (97% or higher) were Cienna Hearle, Vinnie Vickers, Hannah Thomas & Grace Thomas.

2024 Honours Award list

The following dancers received marks of 86% or higher, and exceptional results also.

JAZZ ADDICT
Briar Roff                      Junior 1
Quinn Cook                   Junior 1
Ruby Lloyd                     Junior 2
Amy Thomas                  Elementary 2
Cienna Hearle                Intermediate 1   *Distinction
Vinnie Vickers                Intermediate 1   *Distinction
Lucy Wellington             Intermediate 1
Penni Olley                    Intermediate 1
Emma Head                   Intermediate 1
Hannah Thomas             Intermediate 3   *Distinction
Hannah Gillespie             Intermediate 3
Grace Thomas                Advanced 1    *Distinction
Elizabeth Pell                 Advanced 1
Ana Olley                       Advanced 1
Vanessa Vickers             Advanced 1
Tayla Doran                   Advanced 2  
Sophie Walsh                 Advanced 2          
Tayla Doran                   Solo Seal    *Distinction
Isabella Soper                Solo Seal    *Distinction
 
URBAN IGNITION HIP HOP 
Ruby Lloyd                     Level 2
Thea Howden                Level 2
Ema Kralik                     Level 2
Charlotte Whincop         Level 3
Taylor Pene                   Level 3
Hannah Thomas             Level 8
Grace Thomas                Level 9
Vanessa Vickers             Level 10
Sophie Walsh                 Level 10
Brooke Hutchison           Level 10
 
LUCIDITY CONTEMPORARY 
Boh Fairmaid                Level 3
Ruby Lloyd                    Level 3
Freda Wheeler              Level 5
Cienna Hearle               Level 6    *Distinction
Amy Thomas                 Level 6
Hannah Thomas            Level 8    *Distinction
Penni Olley                   Level 8
Grace Thomas               Level 9    *Distinction
Elizabeth Pell                Level 9
Ana Olley                      Level 9
 
TAP EVOLUTION
Grace Thomas                Intermediate 1
Elizabeth Pell                 Intermediate 1
Hannah Thomas             Intermediate 1