It seems that Busselton, famous for beaches and boutique breweries, is also gaining prominence as the‘dance capital’ of the South West.

One important contributor to our town’s success is the diminutive Vickie Newell – principal, dancer, choreographer and mentor.

This is a milestone year for Vickie who celebrates 30 years of dance teaching and the tenth anniversary of the opening of her dance studio ‘Jazz Attack’.

The dance studio first opened up at the Seventh Day Adventist Hall with 70 students on the books. Ten years and two relocations later, Jazz Attack now has a beautiful studio in Strelly Street and more than 200 aspiring dancers.

What better way to mark this important anniversary year than blitzing the competition at a number of prestigious dance contests. In June 150 Jazz Attack dancers competed in the City of Bunbury eisteddfod.

Performing a range of dance styles, the dancers came home with more than 10 trophies between them.

The under-10 dance troop won first prize in the jazz and tap categories and dancers in the junior classical ballet and intermediate neo-classical categories also won first prize.

More recently the studio entered five dance troops into the City of Perth – Bayswater dance competition and came home with five second-place trophies. “I put a lot of our success down to the excellent teaching staff we have onboard,” Vickie said.

While the competition season is now over, the teachers and students at Jazz Attack are busier than ever.

Final preparations are now underway for the end of year concert which promises to be spectacular. Entitled ‘Illusions’ the performance has a mystical theme.

The audience will be treated to a colourful display of jazz, ballet, acrobatics and contemporary dance styles.

The concert is on this Friday night at theBunbury Entertainment Centre.

Book your tickets through the box office on 1300 661 272.