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QIKIQTARJUAQ/BROUGHTON ISLAND - No one ever said being a teenager was easy.

In between a carefree child and a confident adult, a teen can feel intensely self-conscious and awkward even among their friends.

Members of Inuksuit School's Dance Club perform at Qikiqtarjuaq's Christmas concert of 2008. From left: Joy Audlakiak, Kayla Qappik, Jenny Mosesie and Angela Kooneeliusie. - Photo by Karen Versluys

But a group of students aged 11-14 at Inuksuit school in Qikiqtarjuaq is tackling that awkwardness head-on, learning to dance under the tutelage of two of their teachers.

"I just got interested in it," said 12-year-old Joy Audlakiak. "It sounded fun so I tried out. And the teachers are awesome!"

Teachers Emily Harrison and Karen Versluys started the dance club last October in order to provide something for the kids to do. They hold practices every Friday after school, which is particularly convenient because the hamlet of Qikiqtarjuaq has community dances every Friday night, where the kids can try out their latest moves, if they dare.

"There's a lot of focus on body awareness and becoming comfortable and not being shy," said Versluys. "It helps them build self esteem."

Versluys was especially proud of her group at Christmas. Four girls put on a dance at the hamlet's Christmas concert, dancing to the Black Eyed Peas' "Where is the Love?"

"The gym was packed," she said. "There were over 150 people."

Audlakiak said one of her favourite parts of the club is the chance to learn new dances. The teachers have brought in a wide variety of music from around the world including African and Latin American. Styles have varied from classical to old-school '80s, to the hip hop most familiar to Qikiqtarjuarmuit youth.

Practices begin with a cardio warm-up to an upbeat, fast song. Next there is a more leisurely stretch and meditation and focus, in order to help students become aware of their bodies and the space around them. After that the group practises their choreography.

"It's really neat to watch the students who have been involved since the beginning in October through to the performance become comfortable with themselves," said Harrison.

Since the Christmas concert, four more students have joined the dance club, so in some ways the group is back to square one. The new students aren't as comfortable dancing with their peers around and even the original group is more awkward around new members.

Versluys and Harrison aren't deterred.

"It is something we're going to be carrying on for the rest of the year," Versluys said. "We hope they (the kids) carry their confidence with them."