Guernsey Gold in Dance World Cup

19th July 2011

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This first Dance World Cup for children and junior dance students up to the age of 17 years took place in 2004 within a beautiful theatre in Fuerstenfeldbruck near Munich in Germany.

It was decided from then on that the Dance World Cup should be an annual event hosted in a different country each year.

So far it has been held in the following countries:

2011 Disneyland, Paris
2010 Sardinia, Italy
2009 Jersey, Channel Islands
2008 Vancouver, Canada
2007 Jalta, Ukraine
2006 Faro, Portugal
2005 Wroclaw, Poland

The Dance World Cup 2011 was hosted in the magical venue of the Newport Bay Club Convention Centre in Disneyland Paris from Tuesday 28th June to Saturday 2nd July.

The opening ceremony for the competition took place on the Disneyland Park parade route as part of the Disney Magic Music Days programme. During the parade all participants danced in unison through the park to the same choreography which was a spectacle both to watch and indeed, to be a part of.

Several Guernsey dance schools travelled over to compete in the Dance World Cup including students from two Best of Guernsey Business Members Avril Earl Dance & Theatre Arts Centre and Karen Dempsey School of Dance and Theatre Arts.

Avril Earl got in touch with us about the event and how the Centre came back with several medals to add to their collection.

"The competition itself is growing in popularity and standard and therefore we did exceedingly well to feature in the medals but also had some very noteable 4th and 5th places too".

Avril Earl Dance & Theatre Arts Centre Results:

Gold Medal:
Sammie Redhead and Gabriella Shier, One Another Note - Open Tap Duet.

Bronze Medals:
Dirty Laundry, Open Song & Dance Group from Avril Earl Dance & Theatre Arts Centre.

Georgette Fletcher and Megan Pontin, Things that make you dance now -Childrens' Tap Duet.

Ellen Dumont and Gabriella Shier, Its Good Isn’t it - Open Song & Dance Duet.

Sammie Redhead, Like My Style Yeah! - Open Tap Solo.

Having entered this competition for the last 3 years Avril knew the standard was high so was delighted and extremely proud that the school were awarded some medals;

"Coming from a small island we sometimes become focused on our little community and being a part of a world competition like this is such an eye opening experience. The students were able to watch some amazing performances from girls and boys of their age and were so inspired. It's really encouraged them to push themselves harder and improve". Avril Earl

The Avril Earl Centre is very keen to continue entering interested students into national and international competitions. Together with their training and exam achievements, these experiences and personal development serve those who are working towards a career in dance and drama very well.

The other Guernsey medals were;

Gold Medals:
Nanci Kelham, Thank God I’m Old - Childrens Song & Dance Solo.

Silver Medals:
You are a Pirate, Mini Tap Group from Guernsey Academy of Theatrical Education
I’ve Got Rhythm, Childrens Song & Dance Group from Guernsey Academy of Theatrical Education

Bronze Medals:
This is Big Bro, Childrens Tap Group from Guernsey Academy of Theatrical Education
Morgan Taylor, Mini Tap Solo
Claudia Cooney, Charlotte Ewin, Ellie Mahy, Childrens Song & Dance Trio
Stuart Leach, Junior Song & Dance Solo

The Best of Guernsey would like to congratulate all Guernsey dance schools that took part and waved the dancing flag for the island.

Pictures:

Top Right - Sammie Redhead and Gabriella Shier from the Avril Earl Centre with their gold winning tap duet.

Below - ‘Dirty Laundry’ from the Avril Earl Centre who won a bronze medal in the Open Song & Dance Group Class.