It was Straight Outta Notre Dame High School once again in Toronto.

The ever-popular Dance Off returned April 24 for the 17th time in the gymnasium of the all-girls school established by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame in 1941 in the city's east end.

Student performers from 11 participating high schools showcased highly energetic hip-hop routines for an enthusiastic audience and a judging panel comprised of professional dancers and choreographers who have featured in music videos, live performances and competitions around the world.

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Sandy Soave, the school chaplain, said that picking up the organizing torch from Lily Ann Adams, now the principal of Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School, is an honour, and the Dance Off brings her joy each year.

“It was really important to me to carry Lily's legacy throughout the last few years,” said Soave. “It's just such a wonderful opportunity to see all of these students come together in such a positive and life-giving way, to see them interacting with each other when they're all together.”

Grade 10 student Tiffany Librado, a co-captain of the Notre Dame team “Avidity,” also appreciates the event’s camaraderie, in addition to providing a platform to showcase talent.

“It’s just a great opportunity for all dancers who maybe can't dance outside of school,” said Librado. “And everyone's just so supportive of each other. The energy is just there, and it's just so great seeing all the dancers all together.”

Speaking of energy, Librado said she and her crew on team Avidity had great fun putting together their “creepy, cool, very high energy” routine.

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Stephanie Corpuz, a member of the Grade 12 graduating class, was one of the over 75 student leaders who volunteered for the Dance Off, handling the lighting equipment. It was a pleasure for her to play her part in creating a dazzling display both in the moment and for the school yearbook, of which she has a role in assembling.

“It’s just really nice that the older adults have trust in us to handle all this equipment,” said Corpuz. “(Afterwards), it's also nice seeing the photos and all the videos of the dances come together in one piece and seeing what the dance off brings to the community. You can see everyone's happy faces, excitement and expression. I think that's really what's good about being part of the tech crew and the yearbook.”

Another boon of the Dance Off is that proceeds support initiatives for Notre Dame’s sister schools in Cameroon and Honduras.

“We've been supporting them through Lenten initiatives for decades,” said Soave. “Over the past few years, we decided to turn Dance Off into a fundraiser for that as well. Our donations have helped to actually build the school in Cameroon. And now, we provide the schools in Cameroon and Honduras with all the essential supplies they need to run their schools effectively each year.”

Corpuz and Librado experience that joy in helping a good cause through this fun event.

“I think it's really meaningful because obviously everyone in the world deserves a chance to have an education,” said Corpuz.

“I think it's great to get the chance to give money to those who are not as fortunate as we are because it gives us the motivation on stage to perform for those who don't have as much as we do. We're just so grateful to give them that opportunity,” Librado said.

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Prize money goes to the first, second and third-place finishers, and gift packs from event sponsors Run The Flex Dance Studio, Studio North and The Underground Dance Centre to the teams. 

See tcdsb.ca/danceoff2026 to view the performances.