As many of you were winding down from the dance year, the senior leveled dancers of Veeteretz were just beginning to further intensify their action-packed dance schedules in preparation for their first-time participation in the "Access Broadway Dance Festival" held this year in Las Vegas Nevada (July 10-14). This American Dance Festival hosts a variety of Dance forms including ballet, jazz, hip hop, modeling, song, and dance to name a few. Access Broadway would be entertained by two visiting Canadian Dance groups, both from Edmonton - Amanda's Academy of Dance and our own Veeteretz Ukrainian Dancers. As a matter of fact, they were eagerly awaiting their arrival as the festival had not seen any Canadian Dance School entries since 9/11 attacks.

With Dances meticulously rehearsed and perfected; travel arrangements made and confirmed; costumes packed and double-checked; and festival performance times in hand: the only uncertain factor which remained was how our American neighbours would receive these Ukrainian Dancers from Canada - and receive them they DID!

Without question the Senior Veeteretz Dancers clearly became the festival favorites. Within moments of their first performance on stage, their diversity in terms of music, costuming and choreography had the crowd captivated and spellbound. Even the panel of conservatively behaved adjudicators could not contain their enthusiasm and energetically applauded at the end of their performances. Wanting more festival programs were quickly checked by American audience members to find out the next time "this Canadian group" would be on stage. Ignited by boundless amounts of energy, the senior dancers performed all nine of their dance entries in one day. Each performance was filled not only with the pride for their Ukrainian cultural Heritage but also their pride in being Canadian!

In the late afternoon of the festival, the dancers could still not relax as the festival results were not announced until 6:00 PM. Judged by a grading system more clearly defined than what they were accustomed to, the dancers were still experiencing a sense of uncertainty even when they were stopped repeatedly and congratulated for the dance ability presented. The air of undertainty quickly dissipated as the results based on the scores of the esteemed panel of adjudicators were announced. The senior dancers earned:

2 scores of Platinum (receiving 96% or higher) and 7 scores of High Gold (ranging from 92% - 95%)

Although ecstatic from their performance results and the nine large corresponding trophies, their greatest acheivement was yet ot be realized. The Veeteretz Dancers were additonally awarded the "First Place Overall High Score" of the entire festival (from a list of 21 hopeful festival entries) for their performance of 'Hopak'. It received an outstanding mark of 96.17%. The dancers were presented with yet one more trophy (2 1/2 feet high) as well as a cash award in U.S. Dollars.

Laden with festival trophies, ribbons, fun-filled moments and 'many' shopping opportunities (which could not be passed on), the Veeteretz Dance Families returned home with many new amazing memories of their first American Festival experience.

Having such an impact on the festival organizers a thank you was received from "Access Broadway" that simply said "Thank you for attending our Las Vegas Nationals and for gracing our stage with your beautiful and heart pumping performances." Congratulations to the following Senior Level Dancers whose commitment to and appreciation of the dance program at Veeteretz has allowed them to aspire to greater heights of Ukrainian Dance achievment:

Roseann Hilkewich
Courtney Hupka
Matthew Kozel
Daniel Kucher
Elizabeth Lindstrom
Laura Sweetnam
Lindsay Wozney

Respectfully Submitted

Gwen Hanke