Dancing success for Bluebell Wood

YOUNGSTERS at a local dance school have had their moment in the spotlight and help to raise money for charity.

Every pupil at Jets Dance Centre, in Thurcroft took part in the school’s annual show at Rotherham’s Civic Theatre called Showtime 2011.

As well as giving pupils the chance to experience performing on the main stage, the week long event helped to raised more than £2,250 for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

“The idea is to give them the experience of being in a real theatre,” said Emma Drew, one of three principals at the dance school.

“Some children grow up never been taken to the theatre so we take them to the theatre and give them that experience. They also get the chance to perform and show off the skills they have learnt.”

The school has 130 pupils, from youngsters aged just three up to adults. Every year the school is invited to perform at the Civic Theatre and Jets Dance Centre is one of the few school’s that still perform for a week.

Emma said: “We choreograph the whole show and all the pupils take part in it. Each year we have a different theme and this year’s theme was opposites.”

“It went well. To be honest we didn’t fill it as much as we have in previous years so we’ll have to look about this year.”

“Each year we pick a different charity to raise money for and this year it was Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.”

“More than likely it will be Rotherham Hospice for the next one. One of our friends and colleagues passed away at Christmas and she was looked after by the hospice.”

Emma, along with Julie Beaumont and Toni Kon took over the dance school in 2005 when former principal Wendy Hewitt retired.

Recently one of their pupils Oliver Ward, 18, was nominated by the exam board for the International Theatre Dance Awards. The teenager was nominated by an examiner and finds out if he has won the £1,000 prize to further his dancing career, in February.

Jets Dance Centre is based at Thurcroft Welfare Community Hall, on Katherine Road and meets every Saturday from 9am-4pm and Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Classes are offered in tap, ballet, modern jazz, theatre craft, disco, freestyle and drama. If anyone who would like to try their hand at one of the classes available should contact Julie on 01709 709767, Toni on 07843 800116 or Emma 07771 843 602 for more information.