Students dance their way into national final

Dance students from Stratford-upon-Avon College have made it through to the final performance of a newly-launched national dance choreography challenge.

‘Rambert Elements’, introduced this academic year by the world-renowned Rambert dance company, is a challenge designed to raise the profile of choreography in secondary schools and colleges across the UK.

Six regional performances took place earlier this year, with one group from each being invited to perform at the national finals. Having been chosen winners of the Midlands heat at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham on 29th February, the Stratford students will now compete in the 2016 National Showcase in London on Tuesday, 28th June, where they will be accompanied by the Rambert Orchestra.

Stratford Level 3 Dance student Hannah Medley, 16, commented: “I literally screamed when I found out we were through to the final.

“It’s one of my dreams to perform in the West End and now it’s going to happen. It’s overwhelming – a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“The other groups were really good but I was so pleased with our choreography. We obviously had what Rambert were looking for!” The aim of ‘Rambert Elements’ is to give students the chance to create and perform an original dance piece with help from Rambert’s leading choreographers, who produced ‘toolkits’ for the participating groups.

Each toolkit contained ideas including a theme – complete with title and suggested sources of inspiration – a piece of music, sequences of movement demonstrated by Rambert dancers and some helpful tips from the Rambert choreographer.

Kath Waters, Dance lecturer at Stratford-upon-Avon College, is extremely proud of her group of young dancers. She said: “I’m delighted for them – they have worked incredibly hard and thoroughly deserve their place in the final.”

For more information on any of Stratford-upon-Avon College’s courses, please visit www.stratford.ac.uk or call the college on 01789 266245.