Starting today, the festival will include three days of competition, followed by workshops led by Jersey Boys choreographer Jason Duff. 

Mr Duff, who will also be an adjudicator at the festival, said it was fantastic to see that the Mudgee region’s dance schools had united to stage the festival.

Mr Duff said the festival was an opportunity for students from different studios to work together and learn from each other. 

The competitive aspect of events such as the Mid-Western Dance Festival also gave young dancers an opportunity to perform in public as well as to improve, he said. 

Mr Duff, who worked with the Australian ballet before moving into musical theatre, will be preparing a Broadway style routine in the workshops, which will be performed at the Festival showcase on Friday night. 

He said he was excited to be working with students ranging from junior to senior levels. 

“It’s fantastic that they are not sitting at home at the computer, but out having a go,” he said. 

Mr Duff grew up in Griffith and said many of the most talented dancers come from rural areas, which he attributes to the rural upbringing and way of life. 

Festival committee member Hayley Gray said incorporating the workshops into the festival gave dancers more opportunity to get feedback than they would receive at an eisteddfod. 

The festival begins today with group competition at the Mudgee Public School from around 9am. 

Members of the public are welcome to attend the competitions, which continue on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Friday’s showcase will also be open to the public, starting at 7pm at Mudgee Public School. 

The showcase will feature solo performers selected by the adjudicator as well as group performances by the workshop participants. 

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and pensioners. 

Places are still available in the workshops.