A WHITEHAVEN dance school dazzled the judges at a regional competition, scooping 13 awards.

Reach Dance Academy dazzled the judges in a number of categories in a regional heat of the ‘That’s Showbiz’ dance competition at Ellesmere Port.

They will now compete in the national final at Blackpool Winter Gardens in March 2023.

It is one of the biggest dance competitions in the UK and dancers from Reach Dance Academy have been competing since 2014.

Principal Cheryl Frears said: “For the last few years, everybody who’s entered has got through. The last few years we’ve gone, we’ve got everybody to Blackpool so that’s fantastic.

“This is the best we’ve done at a heat. I was absolutely ecstatic. It was a great day for us all. The kids were all on a high. It was just lovely to see.

“I have a team of people, it’s not just me. We have our student teachers – Olivia Wood, Kane Fawcett and Annalise Andrews.

“They have all come through from babes so it’s lovely to see them now with their ideas and bringing a fresh approach.

“I also have an acrobatics teacher, Jacqui Ashforth and another teacher, Mandy Lewthwaite, as well as chaperones, admin.”

Whitehaven News: Reach Dance Academy won 13 trophies at the 'That's Showbiz' dance competition Reach Dance Academy won 13 trophies at the 'That's Showbiz' dance competition (Image: Cheryl Frears)Hours of rehearsals take place before the competition, with dancers practicing for four to five hours and this increases as the date gets closer.

Ms Frears said: “We had our annual show at the Civic Hall on September 30 and this was a brilliant dress rehearsal for them.

"Parents got to see the routines then and it gave them all a big lift.”

The full list of awards were:

  • Highest marks in open – Ratatouille
  • Best small group - Ratatouille
  • Best costume - Ratatouille
  • 4th place – Boy Does Nothing
  • 3rd place - Ratatouille
  • 4th place – Queens United
  • 5th place – The Force
  • 5th place - Six
  • Highest marks in modern – Salsa
  • Highest marks in open – The Moulin Rouge
  • 5th place - Salsa
  • 4th place – The Moulin Rouge
  • 3rd place – Bohemian Rhapsody

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