Exciting news from Dunedin’s Rasa School of Dance as their talented dancers shine on the national stage, with one crew even qualifying for the prestigious World Hip Hop Championships. School principal Lisa Wilkinson is overjoyed, calling the success “a dream come true.”
“It still feels surreal. We were the only South Island school at the competition, and everyone is thrilled with how well we did,” Ms. Wilkinson shared.
During the New Zealand Hip Hop Dance Championships in Auckland last week, a group of Rasa dancers competed against top performers from all over the country. Coached by Danielle Veenvliet, the “Allies” crew, consisting of seven dancers aged 14-18, impressed the judges in the Small Crew Varsity section.
Their outstanding performance secured them fourth place in the finals, earning them a spot in the 2025 World Hip Hop Championships in Arizona. Ms. Wilkinson expressed her pride, stating, “It’s truly a dream come true to qualify for the pinnacle of world hip hop competition.”
Aside from the Allies crew, other Rasa School of Dance students also achieved remarkable success at the event. The “Rulaz” duo and the “2Lanky” duo secured second and third place, respectively, in the NZ-only Championship section. Additionally, solo dancer Shiah Taele made a strong impression in her category.
With the World Hip Hop Championships just a few months away, Rasa School of Dance is gearing up for intensive fundraising efforts to cover travel and accommodation expenses. Ms. Wilkinson emphasized the importance of support from the community, encouraging donations through the school’s Givealittle page or Facebook page.
Don’t miss this opportunity to support these talented dancers on their journey to the world stage!
brenda.harwood@thestar.co.nz
