Students from Harvey’s Bianca Panetta Academy of Dance claim 57 awards at Starlight Festival

A Harvey dance academy has stolen the show in Perth after claiming more than 50 awards at the Starlight Festival of Dance. The Bianca Panetta Academy of Dance had 85 entries over the nine days of the event, with an incredible 57 taking home prizes. The academy has been running since 2010 and still has some of its original members participating. Teacher Bianca Panetta said she was amazed by the improvement of the students. “I am extremely proud, to see them from when they started all those years ago to see what they’re doing now, it’s incredible,” she said. “When they start out, they can’t hear the music or hold a beat, but now they look like professional dancers.” The academy has students ranging from three years old to 22. Ms Panetta said the school did not just help the students become better dancers. “The biggest (improvement) is for their confidence, there is a lot of kids these days who lack a lot of self-confidence,” she said. “Having somewhere for the kids to go is my biggest goal, they’re not on the street or running amok.”