More than 500 performers, from as young as six years old, showcased their talent in more than 1,200 dance numbers during the Prince George Dance Festival that took place this week at Vanier Hall.
Many are especially grateful there's another week left of March break so they can recover from the festival's busy schedule.
Kennedy Heitman, 15, is one of those dancers. She had 23 performances to do during the festival.
"I just love it so much," Heitman said of her dedication to dance. "I've always faded out of everything else, but dance - I've never faded out. I don't know, I just love it. It warms my soul."
She's been dancing at Judy Russell's Enchainement Dance Studio since she was four years old.
"I like them all but I have to say my favourites are ballet, tap and jazz," said Heitman, who dances six days most weeks.
The dance festival takes months of preparation.
"I start learning solos and even group numbers in the summer just to get a head start," said Heitman. "There's additional rehearsals and practices and there's time for costuming and then we have to make sure our bodies are ready by eating healthy and warming up our muscles before we dance so we don't injure ourselves before the festival."
Dance is definitely in Heitman's career plans.
"In my head right now, I'm going to graduate and go off to a dance school and dance for as long as I possibly can," she added. "I'm not sure about all the details but I got a couple of years left to figure that part out."
Dancers participating during the 38th annual dance festival came from Prince Rupert, Terrace, Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Quesnel, and Vancouver as well as Prince George.
There's more than $24,000 worth of scholarships and prize money given away during the week and 16 competitors will be sent to the provincial competition.
The gala performance, which features the highlights of the festival, takes place tonight at 7 at Vanier Hall. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors.
