 This is the fifth time Turley has submitted an audition tape to
Disney World and been accepted to have her students perform on stage
in the theme park. This year 42 young dancers are going, the largest
group yet.
Audra Turley, who has attained designation as a Master Graduate
with the Dance Educators of America, pointed out that this will be a
group showcasing all of the dance styles she teaches. "We are going
to do clogging, jazz, ballet, contemporary and modern on the
waterside stage in Downtown Disney," she said.
The dancers will be traveling with their parents. Turley's
youngest dancer is 7. The group will travel on June 16 and stay at
the Disney All-Star Music Resort on-site. The performance will be on
June 17 at 4 p.m. Disney will send a private bus to the hotel to
collect the group and take them to the venue.
The dancers have worked for a year on their routines with Turley
and associate instructors Brande Montgomery and Kelsey Horn. They
will do a one-time rehearsal on the stage of the Johnston Center at
Lincoln College before their departure. In addition, Audra's
students will have their annual recital at Lincoln Christian
University the first weekend of June.
Turley likes to point out that "dance is a complete experience."
She explains: "The dancer can express emotions through dance, as
well as benefit from the sometimes strenuous movements."
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Turley's students travel from all over central Illinois to her
studio. "The girls get to meet students from other communities.
There have been long-term friendships started during dance class,"
she said.
She did say that while the majority of her students are girls and
young women, sometimes a guy will show up for class. Dancing can be
a total workout.
Audra's Studio has had car washes, cheesecake sales and sold
Avanti's sandwiches to raise money for the Florida adventure.
The dancers are selected carefully for the trip. The minimum age
is 7, and the dancers must have danced for several years, but not
just in the studio or recitals. There are also competition events.
Turley's students have also been invited to attend the prestigious
Dupree master classes in St. Louis.
For more information on the Florida trip to Disney World or
general information about Audra's Studio of Dance, call 217-732-9137
or visit the Facebook page at Audra's Studio of Dance.
[By CURT FOX]
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