Top NT dance schools receive more than 500 votes each in NT News reader poll

TWO Darwin dance schools have shown they have what it takes to reach the top after each received an incredible 500 votes plus in the NT News favourite NT dance school competition

From, left, Paul Davey, 10, Daniela Ovado, 14, and Fletcher Austin from the Keltikka Performance Dance Company, and Rebekah Williams and Chloe Baylis from the Darwin Performance Academy. Both dance schools received more than 500 votes in the Territory’s Favourite Dance School poll. Picture: Glenn Campbell

TWO Darwin dance schools have shown they have what it takes to reach the top after both received more than 500 votes each in the NT News’s favourite NT dance school competition.

Keltikka Performance Dance Company and Darwin Performance Academy each received more than 40 per cent of the votes.

Representing the Keltikka Performance Dance Company, from left, Fletcher Austin, Paul Davey, 10, and Daniela Ovado, 14. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Keltikka pipped its rivals in the end with 583 votes just 41 votes ahead of the Darwin Performance Academy.

Lee Treacy of Keltikka Performance Dance Company said it was an honour to have received the gong.

The dance school has been in operation for 15 years and began after her son, who she runs the company with, asked to take up Irish dancing lessons.

“I came to Irish dancing very late. I had just had my third baby and my eldest said I want to do it and I thought I’d learn the basics so I knew he was practising properly and that was 23 years ago,” Ms Treacy said.

Since then she hasn’t looked back and instead dedicated more time to the traditional dance.

“In that time we’ve had a world champion and a few Top 10s and been all around the world for competitions,” Ms Treacy said.

Darwin Performance Academy received more than 500 votes in the Territory’s Favourite Dance School poll. Pictured, from left, academy dancers Rebekah Williams and Chloe Baylis. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Darwin Performance Academy owner Marnette Jan also said it was an honour to have made it into the Top Two.

“We are probably one of the longest running dance schools in Darwin so it’s nice that people feel that way about you,” Ms Jan said.

“I love to teach kids and when I was young it was wonderful to be able to perform on stage, get dressed up and do the end of year concerts.”

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Ms Jan has been dancing for 44 years and now teaches about 200 students a range of styles including jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary and hip hop.