Excited pupils from a school in Stockport will be performing at the Dance World Cup in Jersey this year.
Cheshire Theatre School will represent England, along with qualifying pupils from 30 other schools across the country, to compete at the event from June 25 to July 2.
It’s the second time that the school has qualified, after coming sixth in last year’s competition in Romania with a hip-hop number.
Headmistress Vicki Goodwin told MM that she was absolutely thrilled and has really high hopes for the school, describing the competitors as the ‘crème de la crème’ of dancers.
She also said that it was lovely that the schools from England all come together as one big team, like ‘one big dancing family’.
“It’s really great because it’s not just all about the competition but they rehearse together, they stay together, they fundraise together and they feel like they’re spending time with friends,” she told MM.
“Some of the children performing will be just nine years old and some will be finishing their A-Levels and heading off to university – so it’ll be a really nice day for them, a really nice way to say goodbye.”
The Dance World Cup, which has been running since its first competition in Germany 2004, saw around 2800 dancers compete at the finals last year.
The school will be taking part in a variety of dance categories including ballet and streetdance, as well as three soloist’s performances and a ballet trio.
The group of schools from England stand united on the world stage but will be qualifying for different dances in the audition process.
They’ll even wear matching dance tracksuits, which the school is currently crowdfunding for.
The children have been working hard with organising cake sales, car washes, bag-packing and ‘dance-athons’ to raise money for the trip – they are planning to raise £1000 for the Team England tracksuits and around £500 towards costumes.
“It’s great because the kids understand the costs involved,” said Vicki.
“They are part of the process because they don’t just rehearse but get involved with that side of things too.
“They were absolutely thrilled when they found out they’d be going back to the finals.
“They thought it was such an honour to represent England at the Dance World Cup and doing what they love – dancing – was just the icing on the cake.
“We have really high hopes for them, we’re definitely hoping to bring home some medals!”
“They live-streamed the events so that people at home could watch it.
“There were quite a few parents and family that couldn’t make it because of time and costs but this was a great way for them to be involved. At the end of the day, at school, all the classes would stay behind and watch too.”
With such support, the dancers will be hoping to justify it by bringing home the silverware.
And Vicki had some advice for any local kids who may be feeling jealous of the opportunity to dance for your country.
“If there are girls and boys out there who are interested in this kind of things then get to a good school, get to lessons, find out how you can get involved and just go for it,” she said.
“There are loads of dance schools with really good classes, don’t be scared to find out.
“Some of our pupils wouldn’t have thought they’d be going to the Dance World Cup – aim high and you can achieve.”
To learn more about the school’s trip to Jersey, click here.
Image courtesy of Cheshire Theatre School, via YouTube, with thanks
