Sunshine Coast, 7 March 2018: Sunshine Plaza is calling all budding school-age musicians and dancers to showcase their creative talents, with expressions of interest now open for the 2018 Breakthru School Music and Dance Competition.

The event – now in its fifth year – sees primary and secondary schools from across the Sunshine Coast compete for a share in the $30,000 prize pool.

The competition will be divided into four heats including primary dance, primary music, secondary dance and secondary music with a total of $7,500 in cash and prizes up for grabs for each category.

The best acts from each heat – as voted by the competition judges and the public – will go on to compete in the grand-final at Sunshine Plaza’s Riverwalk Stage on Saturday, 9 June.

As part of the event, Sunshine Plaza will partner with youth-focused community organisation Headspace Maroochydore to raise awareness of the importance of youth mental health and wellbeing.

Breakthru School Music and Dance Competition heats will be held at The Riverwalk Stage at Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore on Saturday, 19 and 26 May, with the grand final scheduled for Saturday, 9 June. Members of the public are invited to watch the performances.

Quotes attributable to Sunshine Plaza Centre Manager Michael Manwaring

“If the 2017 competition was anything to go by, more than 20 schools and 400 students are expected to participate.

“Schools have until Wednesday, 21 March to lodge their expression of interest via the Breakthru website with applications being assessed on a first come, first serve basis.

“In past years, spaces have filled prior to the closing date, so it’s best to act quickly to have the best chance of being involved.

“I’m excited to see what’s in store for 2018 and to announce our competition judges as we move closer to the event.”

To find out more or view the list of participating schools, visit www.sunshineplazabreakthru.com