In His Steps Ballet & performing arts company based in Cambridge will send three young ladies to the Minnesota State Fair Semifinals Amateur Talent Contest.
Bronte Tillges, daughter of Patrick and Denise Tillges, from Cambridge, will compete Aug. 31 on the Minnesota State Fair Band Shell (Cosgrove Avenue) Stage at 6 p.m.
Reyna Meinhardt Photography
Bronte will be performing an original contemporary ballet and ribbon routine to “True Colors” by Zedd. Choreography for her dance was a collaboration by Bronte with her teacher, Lisa M. McKinnis, MA., Artistic Director and Instructor with In His Steps Ballet and Performing Arts Company.
“This is Bronte’s first time dancing with a ribbon and she took the challenge on with gusto. Adding the ribbon to the routine not only made it more challenging but creates another layer of emotion to the dance,” McKinnis said.
Also competing is Audrey Herbst, daughter of Mike and Heidi Herbst of Cambridge. Audrey is performing an original interpretive contemporary routine to the song “Human,” which she primarily created on her own along with some additional coaching from her dance teacher McKinnis.
“I love to allow the students to create their own routines as it often best portrays her true personality and fosters creativity. I then assist with technique and transitional portions of the dance as well as give some drama coaching. Audrey always catches your heart when she dances,” McKinnis said.
Audrey will be competing on the State Fair Stage on Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.
Audrey is also the Isanti County Talent Fair first-place winner for 2016. Consequently, Audrey will be auditioning in two contests at the Minnesota State Fair. She will be representing Isanti County talent at the Family Baldwin Park on Aug. 26. She is performing the same routine as mentioned above.
Thirdly, but not last, is Maria Garcia, daughter of Charles and Laura Garcia of Stanchfield. Maria has been dancing with In His Steps Ballet since the age of three and has worked diligently in the classroom. Now at age 10 her hard work is more than paying off as is demonstrated in this being her third consecutive year placing as a semifinals talent winner at the Minnesota State Fair.
Maria will compete Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. She is performing a classical ballet piece en pointe from a routine taken from In His Steps’ original ballet Reflective Transparency: The Inner Beauty to Quintessence. It is interesting to note that the song Quintessence is an original composition on piano by former Miss Minnesota Kathryn Karg.
For further information email fairinfo@mnstagefair.org. Advanced tickets may be purchased at Cub Foods until Aug. 26. Advance discount admission tickets are $10 for all ages.