Dancers win silver in national finals
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RUNCORN- BASED Theatreworks (Cheshire) LTD got through to the finals of Dance School Of The Year and came away as Silver Winners for the 100-200 pupils category.
Now in its fifth 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.
Thirty four schools were shortlisted across four categories which are: Up to 100 students; 100-200 students; Over 200 students and Vocational Schools (Vocational is a full-time school whose primary purpose is to prepare students for a career in dance and the performing arts).
The judges this year were Entrepreneur and Businessman Paul Haigney; Francesca Filpi, who danced with The Royal Ballet Company for many years and is now a teacher, judge and adjudicator; and broadcaster and journalist and lifelong dance supporter, Angela Rippon CBE.
The winners were announced at the awards ceremony which was held at a glamorous black-tie event at the Woodbury Park Hotel in Devon.
As well as winners in each category there was an Overall Winner which was crowned Dance School Of The Year 2017.
Trophies were awarded to winners of all categories as well as prizes provided thanks to the generous sponsorship of Everywoman, Dancing Times and Creative Mouse.
Anne Walker MBE, a former dance teacher who has founded and run a number of businesses including International Dance Supplies, created the awards to celebrate the industry.
She said: “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, sta- bility 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.”