Dance Unlimited’s senior team won the open modern expressive lyrical competition the at the University of NSW, competing against groups from well known schools including the McDonald College, The Village, Tanya Pearson, and Alegria Ballet School. 

The 11-member dance team impressed the judges with an abstract dance piece to the music of “I Fell In Love With a Dead Boy”. 

The work was choreographed by Kurt Dwyer-Williams, a former Dance Unlimited student now dancing with the Transit Dance Company in Melbourne. 

Dance Unlimited tap teacher Luke Golden said the judges loved the rawness of the piece and praised the dancers for their commitment to the work. 

The senior team had already won the Eisteddfod’s open jazz prize earlier this month, dancing another work choreographed by Kurt-Dwyer Williams and senior dancer Oliver Sievers. 

Competing in the City of Sydney Eisteddfod for the first time, Dance Unlimited entered four sections, won two and was second in the other two. 

As well as the choreograpy, Mr Golden attributed the studio’s success to the commitment of the dancers, who have spent countless hours rehearsing their Eisteddfod entries. 

“They practise on Fridays and at weekends so they give up a lot to be part of an elite dance group,” he said. 

Mr Golden said the solid ballet technique taught by Dance Unlimited principal Tanya Keenan was the foundation for the group’s success.   

Many of the senior dancers have been learning with Ms Keenan since they joined as Tiny Tots. 

“They know each other well and move and dance as one,” Mr Golden said. 

The City of Sydney Eisteddfod awards are the culmination of a highly successful Eisteddfod season for the Mudgee dance studio. 

The City of Sydney Eisteddfod is one the largest  competitive performing arts events of its type in the world, attracting around 30,000 entrants in around 400 events each year.