Linda’s Dance Studio is preparing to send its group of performers to the 79th Kamloops Festival of the Performing Arts.

Seniors and staff at the Florentine were given a special performance on Feb. 18, which allowed Linda Sanford, dance instructor, and her group to practise in front of an audience.

“I am very pleased with how they are looking,” she said. “They know their dances and have great performance skills. If they practise between now and the festival they will do well.”

Sanford noted the dedication of dancer Emily Grace Etchart-Wagar who has put in extra hours mastering her moves.

“I’m working on my ending a little,” said Etchart-Wagar, who will compete in the 12 years and under category. “It’s my very first time [in the competition].”

As a new member to the Merritt competitive dance team, she brings with her experience dancing at the preschool level and has since taken lessons. She received the pointe ballet dance shoes when she turned 10.

During her time with Linda’s Dance Studio, Etchart-Wagar has entertained audiences during various community summer shows and the Country Christmas weekends.

But the Kamloops tournament is a whole new level of competition, as she takes the stage at the Sagebrush Theatre on March 14 at 10 a.m.

Performers from Linda’s Dance Studio have competed in Kamloops for the last 10 years, placing consistently in the top three.

The Kamloops Festival of the Performing Arts is open to the public and admission costs $2 per person for each session. Attendees can instead purchase a $10 program, which permits attendees entrance to all events. The festival began Feb. 26 and is scheduled to complete on March 18.

In 2011, 1,171 participants competed, with 488 dancers. Coral, guitar, instrumental, piano, strings, speech, voice and theatre make up the competition.

Merritt’s Troupe

? MacKenzie Willson, Avery Warren, Danica Guichon -8 years and under

? Miya Kandola, Sydney Willson, Emmagin Richardson – 10 years and under

? Emily Grace Etchart Wagar – 12 years and under

? Julia Anna Maria Etchart – 13-15 years