More than 400 dancers put their best foot forward at the Western NSW Dance Festival on Tuesday.
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Two sessions were held on the day - in the early afternoon and one in the evening - with schools from right across the Central West region participating at the festival, held at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre.
NSW Department of Education arts coordination officer Di Reichelt said performances covered a wide variety of genres.
"There's everything from contemporary, modern, jazz, old time, 1970s disco and theatre," she said.
"All groups had to send in a short filmed audition before the festival so organisers could balance the schedule."
Ms Reichelt said the tournament has been going on for almost 20 years now.
"It's a real opportunity for children to have a chance to perform at a professional venue, with the lights and smoke," she said.
"It's a celebration of their dancing curriculum, not like the eisteddfods, when they're competing against other people."
More than 20 items were in attendance, with competing schools including Bathurst South Public, Bathurst Public, Eglinton Public, Nyngan Public, Kelso High, Bathurst High, Cowra Public, Mulyan Public, Orange Small Schools (which includes Mullion Creek, Canobolas, Nashdale, Spring Hill, Borenore and Clergate), Lithgow High, Blayney High, Canowindra High, Cowra High and Orange High.
And there was a mix of both boys and girls in all items.
Ms Reichelt said dancing adds to the students social skills.
"It also improves their team work and movement and a whole range of other skills," she said.
"It's a physical expression, but it is also a creative one.
"All items have been choreographed by students and teachers."
Traditionally, the Western NSW Dance Festival hasn't always been held in Bathurst, as it has been alternated between Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo in the past.