Following tough qualifying rounds in Jersey earlier this year, 97 dancers from GATE, the Guernsey Academy of Theatrical Education, Music Box, Starlight Dance Academy and B Creative earned their place at the prestigious international competition.
More than 11,500 competitors from over 60 countries took part in the event, with Guernsey once again producing standout performances – including a silver medal for 12-year-old Fin Conchar in the children’s song and dance solo category.
‘I was one of the youngest in my category, and I got second, so I was absolutely buzzing,’ he said.
Fin has been dancing at GATE since the age of six, and only started singing lessons last year. This had been his third Dance World Cup, having previously competed in Spain and the Czech Republic, but his first time competing in the children’s age group, and first song and dance solo. Up against teenage boys from around the world – some two years older – Fin delivered his award-winning performance of Chim Chim Cher-ee from Mary Poppins.
‘I was so nervous because the person before me was really good,’ he said.
‘I don’t get nerves from a big audience – it doesn’t bother me how many people are watching – I just get nerves from getting the steps wrong.
‘I’d kind of zoned out while they were announcing the winners, because I didn’t think I would place. Then they announced my name and the people next to me were nudging me. I couldn’t believe it – I was so happy.’
The young star performed 11 dances in total at the event. Five in groups, four solos, one duet and one trio. Although the competition was fierce, he said the atmosphere among the boys was friendly.
‘Everyone was so nice,’ he said.
‘The girls were all quite competitive, so they weren’t really talking to each other, but the boys were really nice. And it was really cool because you’re not just dancing for your school – you’re dancing for the island. People kept asking where Guernsey was, so I’d have to say, “it’s by Jersey.” Why do they all know Jersey, but not Guernsey?’
Fin was one of five boys from his dance school on Team Guernsey, and said he did not understand why there were not more boys involved.
‘I find other sports hard because they’re unpredictable,’ he said.
‘I dance to express myself, and because it's quick, with steps to follow. Compared to a football match, which is 90 minutes, with dancing – you do it, and it’s done.
‘Everyone calls it girly, but I don’t get that. You only do the part that boys do – it’s not like you wear a tutu.’
Fellow GATE dancer Eliza Webster, 18, also enjoyed a successful championship, performing 13 routines, including her song and dance solo to When It All Falls Down from Chaplin.
‘It’s quite a belty song – I was a bit scared, but I just went for it,’ she said.
‘There’s something special about being on stage, for some reason when you’re up there you just feel confident enough to belt it out.’
Eliza was also part of a song and dance trio that secured fifth place and agreed with Fin that the experience of representing Team Guernsey was one of the highlights of the trip.
‘I really like the fact that other local dance schools go as well,’ she said.
‘At dance festivals you’re always just representing your own school, but this brings all the Guernsey dancers together, which is really nice and different. It really feels like one team.’
Eliza also enjoyed meeting competitors from around the world while swapping souvenir pins between performances.
‘There was one cafe where everyone queued together, so you’d chat with people from different countries and swap pins,’ she said.
‘I even got one from the USA. I’d never been to Dublin before, but I loved it. The river was just outside the venue, it was really pretty.’
Guernsey has competed at the Dance World Cup every other year in recent years, following appearances in San Sebastian in 2022 and Prague in 2024. Eliza said this year’s results continued the island’s rise on the international stage.
‘To get Guernsey on the map is impressive at that place, the standard around the world just keeps climbing.’
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