Macclesfield Express

Youngsters dance to the podium at national contest

- RHIANNON MCDOWALL

ADANCE troupe is flying high after a fantastic performanc­e at the SOAR British Championsh­ips.

Dancers from Sylk Dance Academy competed against regional winners from across the country at the national dance championsh­ips, which also included workshops and dance battles for the students.

And they were thrilled to return home with a clutch of trophies, with Isabella Harrison and Tom Davis placing 1st in 16 and under duos, and Isabella also placing 1st in Contempora­ry solos.

Olivia Wild was placed 2nd in the Contempora­ry Solos, and team ‘Legion’ placed 3rd out of 11 teams in the 10 and under competitio­ns. Archie Leadbeater and Poppy Murray were both thrilled to place 5th in the 10 and under duos, while Molly Slack and Jack Bushill also placed 5th in the 18 and under duos.

Amy Mayers, who set up Sylk Dance, said: “It was a full weekend of competing as well as the opportunit­y to do workshops with incredible and inspira- tional teachers. We were all wiped out by the end of it but we had some amazing results.

“To have our dancers placing so high at a Championsh­ip event makes me incredibly proud. For a dance school in Macclesfie­ld to hold its own against other schools all over the UK is an incredible achievemen­t.”

It’s been a fantastic year for the dance school, on Union Street, which is also proud to unveil a fantastic mural created by students at Macclesfie­ld College.

Amy added: “Since we opened the studio last January we’ve always had pretty bare walls. One of the mums works at Macclesfie­ld College and suggested the students could get involved.

“I sent them our logo and told them a little bit about what I liked, and they came up with this design and came in and did it. It’s fantastic, we love it.”

The dance school was set up in 2009 and now boasts around 200 students attending more than 30 classes a week.

Macclesfie­ld MP David Rutley, who visited the studios along with deputy Mayor of Macclesfie­ld Councillor Adam Schofield, said he was thrilled with the school’s success.

He said: “Dance is a positive way to help both younger people and adults keep healthy, whilst building confidence at the same time. It was impressive to see the range of classes available at Sylk Dance Academy and to learn more about how Amy has built up this thriving local business. I wish her and the Academy continued success for the future.”

 ??  ?? All the Sylk dancers who attended the event and some of the young students with the academy’s new mural, MP David Rutley and deputy mayor Coun Adam Schofield
All the Sylk dancers who attended the event and some of the young students with the academy’s new mural, MP David Rutley and deputy mayor Coun Adam Schofield
 ??  ?? Sylk Dance’s Team Legion were third in the contest for the 10 and under age group
Sylk Dance’s Team Legion were third in the contest for the 10 and under age group
 ??  ?? Isabella Harrison and Thomas Davis won in the age 16 and under duos
Isabella Harrison and Thomas Davis won in the age 16 and under duos

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