City dancers hyped up

TOP CREW: Two of Hype Dance's hip hop crews are now nationally ranked following success at the recent Australian Dance Crew Championships in Melbourne. The ALL-iN monster crew (pictured) claimed second place at the competition.
TOP CREW: Two of Hype Dance’s hip hop crews are now nationally ranked following success at the recent Australian Dance Crew Championships in Melbourne. The ALL-iN monster crew (pictured) claimed second place at the competition.

A MOUNT Gambier dance crew is now ranked second in the nation after an impressive performance at the recent national finals in Melbourne.

Two of Hype Dance’s polished hip hop crews competed at the Australian Dance Crew Championships final and proved they can hang with some of the best in the country.

Dancers of all ages made up the ALL-iN monster crew while 13 to 18-year-olds featured in the 2IC crew.

To make the major final event, both crews competed in the preliminary contests where the top five crews in each division progressed.

As part of the final, each crew performed one routine and were judged by an international panel of professionals.

Hype’s ALL-iN monster crew impressed the judges with a dynamic performance and managed to claim second place in the final.

Hype Dance director Kim Cella said the crews had shown improvement in recent years.

“We first attended the championships in 2012 and we were like country kids in the big city,” she said.

“Now we have managed to close the gap and compete with the well-established city crews.

“It is so awesome to come back with placings, especially for those dancers who have attended the championships over the past five years.”

She said her dancers performed well at this year’s competition.

“I think the 2IC crew danced the best they have ever danced, they really stepped it up on the day,” Ms Cella said.

“They finished in seventh place, which is an amazing achievement.”

Crews travelled from across the country to compete in the annual event and Ms Cella said the competition was tough.

“I do not know how the judges managed to come to their decision because there were some really strong performances,” she said.

“It is super inspiring for the dancers to watching the other crews, everyone has such different styles and it is always exciting.

“Looking ahead, our major goal is to come away with first place, but the fact we are placing at a national level is amazing.”

Ms Cella said Hype Dance hosted auditions for both crews.

“It is hard work and it is paying off which is why we hold auditions, because it is a major commitment, but very rewarding,” she said.

Auditions will be held later this year ahead of next year’s dance season.

Details will be posted on the Hype Dance Facebook page closer to the date.

Hype Dance will now prepare for its annual dance concert to be held at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on December 10.

DANCE CHAMPS: Hype Dance’s 2IC dance crew are now ranked seventh in the nation.