When Danna Sevigny, Alyssa Phillips and Lana Larson pooled their resources to set up Overdrive Dance Force in Campbell Park, they opened a studio that counters the current pop culture grain of competition.
“We wanted more of a place where kids love what they do and don’t feel pressured to compete,” said Sevigny.
Now in their second operating year, numbers jumped from 75 students in the 2016-2017 season to 300 this year. And all students will strut their moves at the studio’s recital on June 23 at the Arden Theatre.
The all-day recital, broken into four segments, presents jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, tap, lyrical and musical theatre. The four shows also include Overdrive’s Festival Team and Future Stars Team.
The three teachers opted to focus on fun after seeing a need in the dance community, said Sevigny. She met girls that had lost the passion for dance and were on the verge of quitting after spending up to 18 hours a week at the barre.
“Kids need a place where they don’t always feel the pressure of competing. Our motivation gives kids a safe place to be themselves.”
Sevigny points the finger at social media, You-Tube and television programs such as Jennifer Lopez’s highly competitive World of Dance for ratcheting up the pressure.
“The demands are greater. Now instead of taking two classes a week, kids are taking four classes.”
While Overdrive stays away from high-stress competition, some of their students still participate in events such as More Vibe, Morinville’s Vivid Dance Fest, Red Deer’s Central Alberta Dance Fest and Sherwood Park’s Evergreen Fest.
One of Overdrive’s showcase recital performances is Citie Ballet’s Audrey Boccara's choreography of Black Swan, a striking performance featuring nine dancers.
The day’s biggest number and one of the more popular is a hip-hop dance with an all-girl crew of 20. Choreographer Thomas Boivin’s Mango Trees is a four-person tapper danced to the syncopated country of the Zac Brown Band.
“It’s easy-going, laid back and the girls really connected with it.”
Sevigny’s own choreography of Run, accompanied by a Nicole Scherzinger song, is a lyrical piece that won several awards.
“It’s a really powerful piece about walking away from something that’s not good for you. It’s about a girl trying to run away from a bad relationship.”
She adds, “Anyone who comes to the recital will see kids who genuinely love what they do and want to be there.”
Tickets are $14.50 at www.ticketmaster.ca.
