Lancing dance school selected to join Team England for Dance World Cup 2021

A Lancing dance school has been selected to represent Team England in the Dance World Cup 2021 for the first time. Staff and students at Brooks Dance Academy were thrilled to learn ten of their entries have been selected for the biggest dance competition in the world, due to take place from July 2 to 10 in Burgos, Spain.

The academy will be taking 31 pupils aged nine to 17 to join Team England this summer. Dancers were selected by a panel of judges after submitting video entries. Ten BDA dances were placed in the top three for England in each of their categories, one of which had 106 entries in total. In the children’s section, for those aged 13 and under, BDA will compete in contemporary large group, jazz large group, and jazz and show dance small group, with two entries in this category. In the junior section, for age 17 and under, BDA has entries in contemporary large group, contemporary small group, lyrical large group and lyrical small group.

In addition, Shoreham Academy student Heidi Ogden and Steyning Grammar School student Matilda Paul, both aged 13, have been selected to compete with their lyrical duet, Keeping Your Head Up, choreographed by Lucy Brooks, assistant director of BDA. Heidi also secured a spot in the final for solo ballet pointe repertoire, age 12 and 13 only, after wowing the judges and Jackie will be personally teaching Heidi her piece for the competition.

The academy was founded in 1995 as The Shoreham School of Dance by ex-professional Jackie Brooks and now has its own studio in Brighton Road. Jackie, principal of the school, said: “I’m thrilled the judges have recognised the talents of our competitive team. After a difficult year for the school and constantly adapting to new measures, our selection for this event has been a real boost to our dancers, teachers and families. I can’t wait to see our students on stage again soon.”

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