Dance schools from Northamptonshire given chance to perform at UK event

Mayhew School of Dance & Performing Arts and Kilburn School of Dance will be watched on the night by an audience of dance lovers, talent spotters and celebrity patrons including Darcey Bussell CBE, Matt Flint and Arlene Phillips CBE

Students at Mayhew School of Dance & Performing Arts, based in Northampton, study all aspects of dance.

The 19 talented girls, aged between five and 11 years old, will perform an original choreographed character dance on the night called Phil the Fluter’s Ball. The performance marks a double milestone for the troupe, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

Wellingborough-based Kilburn School of Dance will perform an original choreographed Classical Greek dance on the night called A Moment of Peace.

The 17 talented dancers, aged between 12 and 16 years old, won the final space to perform at Dance Proms through a Wildcard public vote. The students battled it out with one other school to receive the most votes from their friends, families and those in their local area. in order to win the final remaining spot.

Dance groups from around the world and the UK submitted a video of an original dance for the chance to secure a place in the running order of just 22 dances. The two Northants groups will perform alongside 20 other young groups from as far afield as Vietnam and Italy, performing in a range of other genres such as Latin American, Hip Hop and Neoclassical Ballet.

Fiona Sheehan, principal, Mayhew School of Dance & Performing Arts, said: “Being chosen to perform at Dance Proms 2016 is an amazing opportunity for our pupils.

"The Royal Albert Hall is such an iconic venue, and the children will leave with wonderful memories which they will treasure forever.

"Phil the Fluter's Ball is a fun piece which the children adore performing. Each performer has developed their character individually, and together have managed to create a sense of community which works beautifully in the piece. Everyone watching will want to join in!”

Darcey Bussell CBE, celebrity patron of Dance Proms, said: “I attend the Dance Proms every year, and the sheer scale and spectacle of the event never fails to impress me.

"The young dancing talent on display is of such high standard andMayhew School of Dance & Performing Arts and Kilburn School of Dance will make a great additions to the line-up this year.

"It is a delight to see so many aspiring young dancers come together from all over the UK, Europe and even further afield to celebrate dance on the iconic Royal Albert Hall stage. My advice to every young dancer involved in Dance Proms is to enjoy every moment - I can’t wait to see what each performance has in store!”

Dance Proms offers a platform for aspiring young dancers to perform on an international level at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall along with star guest performers.

This annual celebration of talent, choreography, passion and determination is made up of over 500 young dancers selected by a panel of experts, including artistic directors and senior examiners from the world of dance.

To qualify for Dance Proms, dance teachers submitted online videos of a short dance piece featuring original choreography in any genre and performed as a solo, couple, trio or group.

Dance Proms was founded and is managed by three of the UK’s leading dance organisations: the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), the International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA), and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), together with Britain’s most iconic venue, the Royal Albert Hall.