A group of dancers from a studio in Weymouth will be heading for the finals of a national dance competition.

Youngsters from Starlight Dance Studio in Lynch Lane will be taking part in the The Supreme Dance Competition.

The competition invites dance schools across the country to enter their dancers into a national showcase, allowing them to grow in confidence and develop their technique.

It is currently holding regional heats across the South and West Midlands area, building up to its grand final in London in December.

The Weymouth heats took place in February at Weymouth College. Rounds were split into age categories from eight years and under to dancers aged 18 and over.

Dances are judged in the following seven sections: classical ballet and character ballet, contemporary and lyrical, modern and jazz, tap, song and dance, vocal and musical theatre, open and acro, street, hip hop and commercial.

Naomi Bevan has been running the Starlight Dance Studio for five years, teaching more than 130 students from the local area.

She shared her immense pride and happiness for the commitment students have shown with many of them going to compete in the national final. 

Dorset Echo: Students at Starlight Dance Studio with trophies

She said: "It's a really friendly competition where everyone is encouraged to take part. Some of the girls have done it before and had loads of fun. They loved the competition and that’s why we entered again this year.

"I'm incredibly proud of all of them for their hard work and dedication. I feel speechless as they've achieved so much and shown their true potential on stage. So seeing them dance again in London is going to be phenomenal."

Out of the 21 Starlight dancers who competed at the Weymouth heats, six of them will go on to compete in the finals with the following dances:

 

  • Rosie Hircock – both a modern and lyrical solo

  • Mia Edwards - a ballet solo

  • Oonagh MacDonagh – a modern solo

  • Maddie Dunford – a lyrical solo

  • Gracie Longshaw – a lyrical solo

Rosie Hircock will also be performing two duets in the final - a classical duet with Gracie Longshaw and a modern duet with Oonagh MacDonagh. Gracie, Maddie and Nikita Longshaw will also be performing a ballet trio.  

Each dancer was awarded with a trophy in recognition of their hard work. Special awards were also given to young dancers as well as teachers who demonstrated promising talent. 

Dorset Echo: L TO R: Gracie Longshaw and Betsy Bevan

Mrs Bevan secured an award for Supreme Teacher and her daughter, Betsy, aged only three years old secured an award for Supreme Star. Gracie Longshaw also secured an award for Supreme Musicality - given to the best all-round performer. 

More information about the Starlight Dance Studio can be found on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SDS.StarlightDanceStudio/