Nerves of steel on display at Kiwanis festival

“My mom and dad told me to relax and block all the distractions and pretend I'm at home,” said Kim, who has been playing the cello for two years.

This year's festival, which took place March 24-April 4, featured about 1,000 performers older than age five who competed in categories such as musical theatre, piano, strings and choir, to name just a few.

Festival co-ordinator Heather Parker said it's common for competitors to have a few butterflies in their stomachs when they get up on stage.

She should know — she competed in the festival herself as a child, and also led her piano students through the competition.

“But it's great development for them once they're up there and performing,” she said. “If they can overcome those nerves, it does help them develop into better musicians in the end.”

The festival also brings in adjudicators from outside of the city who aren't familiar with the students, and who can assess their performance with fresh eyes and give constructive criticism, Parker said.

Shelby Delarosbil, a first-year Cambrian College music performance student, said she was happy with the gold ranking she received for her viola performance and the silver ranking for her violin performance.

She said this was her first year competing in the Kiwanis festival, and she really enjoyed it.

“You get so nervous and everything really builds up, but you get up there and you play and you get into everything, and it's just perfect,” Delarosbil said.

About 350 local dancers will compete later this month at the 34th annual Kiwanis Dance Festival.

The April 25 event, which takes place at École Secondaire MacDonald-Cartier, features nearly 350 performers in such disciplines as ballet, tap, lyrical jazz and modern dance.

For details of the event, visit www.kiwanisclubofsudbury.ca.