Emma Howells from “We Can Dance” had the great privilege of being in the audience of the recent Eskdale Festival at The Whitby Pavilion on Wednesday 15th March 2023 where two of our school groups performed in the Supported Free Dance Category.
Su Crossland, our teacher who was instrumental in the creation of this category, prepared a group each from Springhead School and The Woodlands Academy, both in Scarborough to take part in this year’s festival. Both groups helped to choreograph their dances and even chose their music.
The first to perform were Springhead, where a group of boys and girls aged 11-14 performed “U Know What’s Up”. Second up were the group of girls aged 13-15 from Woodlands Academy who performed “Dancing in the Dark”.
The level of performance and presentation from all the children blew Emma away. Their smiling faces showed how much they enjoyed being up on a professional stage and performing to a packed audience who cheered both groups on enthusiastically. It was also wonderful to see the different schools supporting each other.
They were adjudicated by Head Judge Barbara Benson-Smith MBE who is a well known figure in the dance world. She gave both groups some helpful and specific feedback on their performances, complimenting them on their use of space and happy performances!
In the end Springhead were awarded runners up certificates and medals and The Woodlands Academy were overall winners. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as the pupils came up on stage to accept their awards.
What a fantastic achievement from all involved! Thank you to the diligent and always enthusiastic Su Crossland who We Can Dance funds to teach these pupils on a weekly basis during term-time. We Can Dance is all about giving the opportunity of the joy of dance to ALL and this was a fantastic display of what can be achieved. Dance should be shared and performance opportunities like these are so special for our pupils. Well done everyone!
