A super troupe of Stockton Riverside College performers have proven when it comes to dancing they’re at the top of their game.
Hours, days and weeks of rehearsals have paid off for the dream team who have been named Can You Dance? senior regional champions.
Facing competition from many of the North-east’s most talented young dance groups, student Lydia, 17, said: “It’s such a big well-known competition that we didn’t expect to win.”
But training as close to professional standards as possible, the squad of 18 young musical theatre students, who perform as part of the college’s Academy of Performing and Technical Arts (APTA), had certainly put in the hard work and the effort.
Now with a place at the Can You Dance? Super Convention, due to take place in Liverpool next year, the team will go head-to-head with senior regional champions from across the country in a bid to win the national title.
Stockton Riverside College’s course leader of musical theatre and dance, Hannah Mcghee, said: “I was over the moon and so proud to see them perform. Seeing the long hours, commitment and determination they had put in, I knew that what they could do was fantastic, but you never know how other people are going to perform on the day.”
When the APTA Dance Company was named overall senior regional winners, in front of a live audience at Northumbria University, she said: “It was amazing to see all their hard work pay off.”
Ellie Mae, 17, added: “When we heard our name I think we all just got up and screamed.”
Talent scouts were also on hand offering vouchers for auditions at some of the leading stage and dance schools.
Currently rehearsing for their college Christmas show, Elf, as well as training and competing with their own dance schools, and auditioning for university places, training for these young performers can be seven days a week. Elise, 17, said: “That is just what you have to do to be your best in this industry and we all love it.”
The Can You Dance? contest is a prominent showcase in the dance events industry and was developed to create a platform where dancers can be educated and inspired in a professional environment.
