In 2020 Taking Steps to Fly took a major step forward. After consultation with past participants we felt that it was time to take away the “competitive” nature of the event and make it strictly an experience based on the exploration of choreography and conversations around that focus.  where there were adjudications in the past, this year (2020) saw the creation of a “mentorship panel”of professionals from the dance community. In a series of closed performances of the submitted pieces, the panel would meet in follow up sessions where they could have a round table with the choreographers to discuss the art of choreography and how it relates to the performances they watched.

This is a chance for the young choreographers to talk about their process and challenges with the other choreographers as well. The whole format has proven to be a major hit with the choreographers as well as parents, who feel taking away the competitive nature of the past years, has allowed the dancers and choreograp[hers to feel more relaxed and better able to focus on the “experience” rather than who will or won’t win. 

Encouragement and growth of our young choreographic voices is important for the survival of dance. Dance students are encouraged to create a piece of choreography in any dance form. The work can be choreographed by one person or by a collective and can be a solo or group performance.