From left to right: Jennifer Mauvieux (Melfort Dance Centre) , Kim Schick (Bold Dance) and Amy Bryksa (Hanley School of Dance). (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Dance

A proud tradition: Prince Albert Festival of Dance turns 20

Apr 4, 2025 | 5:00 PM

Jennifer Mauvieux, Kim Schick and Amy Bryksa have been friends for over two decades and credit dance as one of the reason their bonds has remained strong.

All three are now instructors at their own dance studios, and have been brought together again this weekend at the Prince Albert Festival of Dance – a competition they once participated in as young dancers. Mauvieux from the Melfort Dance Centre has fond memories of being on the stage at the EA Rawlinson Centre.

“It was such a special experience for me then, the professionalism of this competition, all the nostalgic memories. I’m just grateful that my students get to experience it in the same way that I did”

Over 700 dancers are registered for this weekend’s competition that showcases a number of styles including hip hop, ballet and jazz.

“It’s definitely a mental game, you know they work so hard in the studio to prepare for months and months and by the time we get here, our job is to just you know give them high fives, encourage them to believe in themselves and get out there and be really brave,” Mauvieux said.

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(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

As a result of this weekend’s competition, both the parking lot outside the Rawlinson Centre and the one at the Gateway Mall are full. The dancers and their families will also be eating at the city’s restaurants and sleeping at local hotels. Kim Schick at Bold Dance noted this year marks the festival’s 20th anniversary.

“There’s a lot of dance festivals that when we were younger don’t exist anymore or like new ones have come but I think it’s pretty cool that this one is still running,” she said.

Schick stated how fortunate the community is to have a facility like the EA Rawlinson Centre, recalling what it was like when it first opened in 2003, competing on stage during her teenage years and how good it feels to now return as a teacher.

“It brings in a lot of people to our community and it’s a great atmosphere. We’re all super friendly and motivated and we are cheering each other on and it’s just really great,” she said.

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Bryksa teaches at the Hanley School of Dance, but also grew up in Prince Albert and had Schick as a bridesmaid at her wedding.

“I think we build a lot of our core memories as young dancers,” she said, adding how great it is to see so many friends she once graduated with, move on and become teachers.

Bryksa also noted when they attend competition, it feels very community-based in terms of support from multiple other studios and that has filtered down into the dancers.

“There’s been a really cool shift, I think in that competition is still something that we prepare for and we put our game face on and we always bring our best but there’s a bit more of a supportive encouraging vibe between studios, which has been something that we’ve really tried to foster and encourage and it’s been really cool to see that come through even when we’re not around.”

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

In addition to local studios Ballet ‘n All That Jazz, Bold Dance, Prince Albert Dance Company and Xcelerate, there’s also Waldheim School of Dance, En Pointe studio from Montmartre, Shellbrook’s Studio 747, A-List Dance out of Humboldt, Step-It-Up from Clavet and Studio 12 from Saskatoon.

Bryksa noted how proud she was to see students building friendships, and gifting each other with high gives and treat bags.

“So it was really nice to be able to bring my students back home to a competition that I just loved growing up and have so many great memories from this building and this specific festival,” she said. “My mom and Kim’s mom were on the initial board, the first year, so they were part of fostering this dream of having a highly competitive and really well run and organized festival in Prince Albert.”

The festival continues Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social