‘Amazing’ year for dancers
ADANCE school has had an ‘amazing’ year so far, winning more than 150 trophies in 2019 already.
Though it was established in 2006, Rochdale Singletons Dance Academy has only started taking part in competitions this year.
Teacher Gemma Singleton said her dancers have cleaned up in recent months, taking home over 150 trophies in the last few events.
She said: “We have never really done any competitions before but this year the kids wanted to. It’s just amazing. It’s seeing things that they can’t learn in a classroom, having experiences that they can’t get anywhere else.
“The way that they all support each other as well - it’s like a little family.”
New mum Gemma, 31, lives less than a minute’s walk from the town centre studio on Mellor Street.
The team is made up of children aged 3-18, who have the option of competing alone, as a duet, a trio or a group. Their most recent success came in Chester on Sunday, July 14 where they won numerous highest mark sections and the most memorable performance.
She added: “They did amazing with that. Every single person got a medal in a dance that they did.
“It’s really weird. Because I am a new mum now I see all of the other kids like my extended children and I am just as proud of all of them.
“Even if they didn’t win a trophy I would still be proud of them but it’s amazing to see them do so well.”
Singletons are an IDTA (international dance teachers association) school and take annual exams, which they spend six months working towards.
The other half of the year they prepare for their annual show at the Gracie Fields Theatre, on Hudsons Walk, the next of which will be November 3.
Gemma added: “We have put on extra classes but they really enjoy it because they’re playing with their friends.
“You can do as little or as much as you want. If you want to do it to stay fit or make friends that’s fine, or if it’s something you want to take seriously and do as a career we can do that.”