Big international wins for Guernsey dancers in Prague
THERE was a gold award for a team of young dancers from Guernsey who took part in the recent Dance World Cup, with more than 80 travelling to Prague for the 10-day event.
The group from Gate – the Guernsey Academy of Theatrical Education – won the prize in the Mini Large Group Tap section with their performance Bustin Out, a success which Gate founder Brian Webster said came as a great surprise.
‘We positively exploded with joy,’ he said.
‘The reception the children had in the foyer after they had won from their parents will be one I will treasure for a long time.’
There were 59 dancers from Gate in the party, which also included competitors from Starlight Dance Academy, all aged between five and 18.
Their kit was provided by the Sarah Groves Foundation and the group saw competition against more than 60 countries across a range of dance styles.
The event took place at the Prague Congress Centre, a complex that sits along the banks of the Vltava River.
‘Gothic, baroque, and renaissance buildings line the old town streets, so it really was a beautiful setting for the competition,’ said Mr Webster.
Starlight’s Kirsty Chick said the event was a fabulous experience for all who took part.
‘Stand-out performances for us were two of our children, Chloe Le Lievre and Elizabeth Wallis, who scored 88% and 87.4% respectively for their National solos, which in many other categories would have been a gold medal-worthy score,’ she said.
The academy also had entrants as young as five in some categories and Miss Chick said that it was ‘exceptionally proud of our minis’.
‘They performed their solos, duets and groups on the largest stage of them all and loved every second of it.’
Some of the classes saw entries from as many as 40 countries and about 1,000 dancers, yet Guernsey entrants acquitted themselves well, with many finishing in the top 10 in their class.
‘First to sixth place get country points and called out, so Guernsey was mentioned a few times. We are so proud to have had so many of our entries make it into the top rankings,’ he said.
He thanked the Sarah Groves Foundation for its support, as well as sponsors Grant Thornton, Guernsey Arts and the Oak Group.
This was echoed by Miss Chick, who also thanked parents and teachers.
‘And most of all our students, who conducted themselves in an exemplary manner for the duration of the competition.’
