Performing Arts students are dancing for joy after winning trophies and medals at a street dance competition.
Derwen Dance Crew (DDC) took part at Ultimate Dance Competition in Cannock on Sunday, 10 November, where they competed in team categories, solos and duos in the styles Contemporary, Street and Musical Theatre Jazz.
Our talented crew included many new members who had never attended a competition before. Despite this, they achieved high placings and medals galore, including several first places in beginners and intermediate categories. They were delighted to do so well and buzzing with excitement that they qualified for the national championships in Bristol in February 2025.
The group won Gold (1st place) for their Musical Theatre performance of Revolting Children from the musical Matilda, and Silver (2nd) for their group Street Dance and Contemporary performances which qualified them for the Championships.
Well done to students Dan Bridge, Thomas (T) Walpole, Zara Ootam, Joe Symonds, Marcus Unger, Mia Hales, Hannah Morrell, Lucy Morris, Luan Sinclaire and AJ Marsland.
Students were thrilled to be part of the competition
Zara said: 鈥淚t was busy and noisy, but I was happy and felt like a pop star.鈥�
Marcus said: 鈥淲hen they called my number up and I鈥檇 won first place, it felt amazing. I was so happy I leapt across the room. The judges said it was the best celebration they鈥檇 seen all day!鈥�
‘T’ looked the part with some fabulous street dance trousers designed and made by his mum. His parents came from Buckinghamshire to watch him, and were thrilled to see him win second and fifth places.
Hannah said: 鈥淲inning was nice, but it was all about taking part. We all felt proud to enter and be part of such a brilliant competition. It was a really good day!鈥�
‘Derwen Dance Crew is a big commitment’
Dance teacher Opal Trevor praised students for their hard work and professionalism.
She said: 鈥淏eing part of Derwen Dance Crew is a big commitment which takes a lot of rehearsal time and effort, and an expectation that students arrive for sessions and competitions prepared, dressed appropriately and with a professional attitude.
鈥淚t was a long day, where some students took part in up to seven different competition categories. For many this was their first ever experience of a competition, so it was nerve-wracking for them, but they absolutely smashed it. DDC were an absolute credit to mv天美mv天美, and to win so many awards made the day even more special 鈥� we鈥檙e going to need a bigger trophy shelf to put them all on. I鈥檓 very proud of them all.鈥�
Students will now look ahead to competing at Audacity鈥檚 national finals in Bristol in February 2025. In the meantime, they also have rehearsals and performances for the taking place on 21 November, a performance at on 2 December, and the annual mv天美mv天美 Christmas Show on 13 December.