Stella Maris Music @ Bucketty’s

On Wednesday 28 August, the Year 12 Music 1 and Music 2 classes had their performance evening at Bucketty’s. It was our first show at the venue and it was a roaring success. Performances from students on guitar, flute, piano, violin, vocals and drum kit were fantastic and the students should be most proud of themselves. It was particularly pleasing to see so many up-and-coming musicians (perhaps with future performances in mind), siblings, parents and families attending the event – a lovely example of the Stella community. A huge thank you to our tutors, Emma Gelding, Pete Covington and Greg Arnold as well as to our Music teachers, Mr Rob Sutcliffe and Ms Leanne Haines for their hard work leading up to the event. Hopefully the lively energy and raucous applause from this event will energise the girls as they head into their HSC performance examinations on Monday 9 September.

Stella vocalists performing with The Cat Empire and The Sydney Symphony Orchestra

On Thursday 5 September, 12 of our elite vocalists will be performing as part of a larger choir with The Cat Empire and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Asha B, Isabella C, Kate C, Daisy F, Bailey H, Charlee H, Ava J, Bronte M, Leili M, Amelie R, Erin W and Ava Z will all grace the stage for this wonderful opportunity. The show is taking place in the Concert Hall at the Sydney Opera house and will feature world-class flamenco artists Richard Tedesco, Johnny Tedesco and Chantelle Cano. Our girls have been working hard on selected repertoire and have additional weekend rehearsals in front of them in preparation. A huge thank you must go to Ms Ines Paxton for organising as well as Ms Lotus-Rose Kypriotis and Ms Leanne Haines for their hard work in preparing the girls. Details of the (sadly sold out) show can be found here.

Dance Troupes Shine at Competitions

A huge congratulations to Leili M in Year 9 who has been awarded a scholarship with the Australian Girls Choir. Later this month the group will be taking part in a three-week international tour through Paris, Regional France, Switzerland and Singapore. Congratulations Leili, we are incredibly proud of you (and a little bit jealous).

The Dance Ensembles, Company, and Extension Company Troupes, have outdone themselves at the latest competitions. With three competitions over the last two weeks it has been a very busy time for everyone. I am so proud of all the girls who continuously give their all, remaining enthusiastic, and supporting each other to succeed. I could not ask for a better group of girls to work with, and I am grateful to have so much talent at Stella Maris.

Highlights of the past three competitions include the Extension Jazz Company “Criminal” taking out 1st Place at Dancelife Unite, and the Extension Hip Hop Company “Rumble” winning 1st Place at both the Dance Spec Challenge, and The Hills Dance Spectacular. This is only the second year we have had a Hip Hop Troupe and they are already making a name for themselves. In very exciting results, the Beginner/Intermediate Lyrical Ensemble placed higher than the Intermediate Lyrical Company for a second time, showing that hard work and practice really does mean success. It was a wonderful two weeks with every group that competed placing at Dancelife Unite.

Congratulations to all the students involved and a huge thank you to all of our amazing teachers and choreographers – Elle Preece, Shannon Carter, James Maras, Emma Copping, Lauren Elton, Chris Haines and Miss Jones.

DANCELIFE UNITE RESULTS (all groups):

1st Place – Extension Jazz Company
1st Place – Year 9, 200 Hours Elective Dance
2nd Place – Extension Commercial Jazz Company
2nd Place – Extension Hip Hop Company
2nd Place – Contemporary Company
2nd Place – Jazz Company
3rd Place – Extension Lyrical Company
3rd Place – Lyrical Company
4th Place – Jazz Ensemble
4th Place – Lyrical Ensemble
Highly Commended – Contemporary Ensemble

THE HILLS DANCE SPECTACULAR RESULTS (Junior Years 7-9 Groups only):

1st Place – Extension Hip Hop Company
2nd Place – Contemporary Company
3rd Place – Jazz Company
4th Place – Lyrical Ensemble

DANCE SPEC CHALLENGE RESULTS (Junior Years 7-9 Groups only):

1st Place – Extension Hip Hop Company
2nd Place – Jazz Company
2nd Place – Contemporary Company
3rd Place – Lyrical Ensemble
3rd Place – Jazz Ensemble
3rd Place – Hip Hop Ensemble
Highly Commended – Lyrical Company