Now in its 6th year, the Dance School of the Year Awards was founded by Anne Walker MBE to celebrate the achievements of theatre dance schools who so often do not receive the recognition they deserve. From the thousands of dance schools eligible to enter, entries were received from schools of all sizes across the UK and Europe. 32 schools were shortlisted across four categories which are:

• Up to 100 students
• 100-200 students
• Over 200 students
• Vocational Schools (Vocational is a full-time school whose primary purpose is to prepare students for a career in dance and the performing arts)

Judges Brenda Last OBE and Terry Etheridge as well as special guest Angela Rippon CBE joined over 140 dance teachers and their supporters at a glamorous black-tie event at Woodbury Park Hotel in the beautiful Devon countryside to present the Awards to the lucky schools.
Schools were judged on their professionalism and business acumen as well as the personal development of all the staff.

Very proud and excited to announce that we have been selected as a finalist in the Dance School of the Year Awards for schools with up to 100 students. 

From the Press Release...
Anne Walker MBE, a former dance teacher who has founded and run a number of businesses including International Dance Supplies, created these Awards to celebrate this incredible industry. She says: “Dance teachers should be applauded and celebrated. So much more than just a teacher – they are almost a substitute parent to many of their students as they are role models, mentors and social workers, offering support, stability and a disciplined approach to life. They instil a love of dance, music and theatre which will hopefully turn many students into tomorrow’s theatre-goers if not performers or teachers.
    Fellow dance teachers have supported me in my career over many years and now I hope, through these Awards, we can all celebrate the life-long passion for dance and the achievements of theatre dance teachers everywhere.”

Congratulations to Deenah, Jiang-May, Onse, Aanya, Miranda and Shannon for winning the Junior Group Dance Musicality Award for their dance at the Cecchetti Choreographic Competition at Cecil Sharp House on Sunday 11th March.

Congratulations to Jiang -May and Deenah for also performing their solos and to Deenah for gaining a Musicality commendation.
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Congratulations to Catherine and Millie for gaining a Musicality commendation for their duet in the Senior section.

Feedback forms will soon start circulating to help me develop the School in the way that best suits parents and children. Please fill in and return your form and then be in with a chance to win £25 voucher to spend on School uniform.

Congratulations to ALL who entered the Cecchetti Choreography Competition 2014.

Junior Groups:

Runner up Choreography:
Sophie Gillborn with Years 3 & 4 Marist Preparatory School

Runner up Musicality:
Grace Haworth with Years 5 & 6 Marist

Junior Solo:
Grace Haworth

Middle Solo: Commendation:
Alycia King

Well done to pupil Poppy Sutcliffe who has recently won the Dance Scholarship for her Senior School.

Wishing our 24 pupils who are entering the Cecchetti Choreographic competition the very best of luck!

From the Cecchetti website: