Karina stages dance concert

Local 13-year-old Karina Russell recently put together the dance concert "Move 'n' Groove" for 150 people, to raise money for Telstra Child Flight.

The concert was held on Saturday, October 14, at Brisbane Waters Secondary College and was endorsed by the Peninsula Lioness Club of Woy Woy.

The event involved 40 dancers ranging in age from five years to 18 years, performing individual and group dances.

Performances ranged from classical ballet to modern hip hop.

"All dancers performed beautifully and both charmed and delighted the audience," Peninsula Lioness Club member Ms Joanne McGill said.

"Karina displayed superb organising and project management skills, far beyond her years.

"In addition to arranging the performers and performing herself, Karina organised lighting, sound, programs, sponsorship and refreshments and then delegated the associated tasks.

"Lighting was managed by stage production students from Brisbane Waters Secondary College and sound was managed by Robert Russell, Bronwyn's father.

"Overall, stage production was superb and all involved did an excellent job.

"As Karina said at the event, she couldn't have put together the concert without the help and support of her family, including her parents, Bronwyn and Robert, and her brothers, Daniel and Michael who were also amongst the performers."

Ms McGill said Bronwyn and Robert run Dancin' Mates at Umina and many of the dancers at the concert were students from their studio.

"So far, Karina has raised some $1700 which is going to the Peninsula Lioness Club of Woy Woy to present to Telstra Child Flight," Ms McGill said.

"Further pledges are anticipated, including from local artists who exhibited their works at the concert.

"Each artist has pledged 20 per cent of any concert-related sales."

Ms McGill said that in addition to endorsing the charity event, the Lioness Club and Lions Club assisted with selling entry tickets to the event and the guessing competition, running the canteen and photography.

"Both the Lioness and Lions Club members are enormously impressed with Karina's community-mindedness and view Karina as an inspirational young woman," Ms McGill said.

"Sponsors and donators have also been an instrumental part of the event's success and Karina secured the participation of Dancetera, Rainbow Dancewear, Duckies Dancewear, Danz Factory, Gosford, Dancin' Mates, Education First Learning Centre East Gosford, The Body Shop Erina Fair, McDonald's Woy Woy, Bourke Road General Store, Speedykeys Woy Woy and Mrs Robin Robins of Ettalong Beach."

Press release, October 29 Joanne McGill, Peninsula Lioness Club of Woy Woy