McCormick sisters dance to the top

Abigail McCormick and her sister Caitlin, perform a tribute to their late grandfather with a lyrical duo number Thursday at the Prince George Dance Festival held at Vanier Hall. They danced to the beautiful Sarah McLachlan song Angel. Teresa MALLAM/Free Press

Nicole McCormick’s e-mail to the reporter on Saturday said it all:

“Great news!! Both girls made it to the Provincials which will be held in Penticton in June. Abbie was selected to compete in Intermediate Modern [category] and Caitlin for Junior Stage. They and I and their teachers are thrilled!”

The news follows a March 21 Free Press story on the McCormick dance family, which focused on Nicole’s own experience with dance and how a few years ago she opened her own dance studio, Dance Your Hart Out in the Hart area.

The 38th Prince George Dance Festival ran from March 15 to 21 with hundreds of dancers from all across the region performing at Vanier Hall in a wide variety of dance disciplines. Judy Russell Enchainement Dance Studio, Excalibur Theatre Arts Company and Zahirah Dance Studio were among the local dance studios represented at the festival. During the week, awards and scholarships were handed out and adjudicators had suggestions on how they could make their performances even more memorable.

On March 20, Caitlin, 12, and Abigail, 16, who danced five solos each at the festival, danced in the lyrical duo category, placing first in their category. They performed in white chiffon-like costumes that moved gently with their exquisite ballet moves in a tribute to their late grandfather – their number one fan, mentor and supporter. He passed away last year.

The girls’ dance number (there was a portrait of their grandfather on stage) was beautifully choreographed by Stephanie Bertoli and set to the Sarah McLachlan song, Angel.

Nicole McCormick said that she owes her early dance training to choreographer/producer/director Judy Russell and the girls, well, they say their mother has been their biggest inspiration so far.