A Swindon dancer has returned from the ‘Olympics’ of the dance world after helping to secure the gold medal for England.
Amelia, who is 15, dances with The Kirsty Farrow Dance Academy in the town and recently competed as a member of the England team against 65 other countries in the Dance World Cup, with Team England bringing home first place.
While at the Dance World Cup, Amelia competed in two separate dances, performing a traditional Turkish dance and also, as part of a musical theatre group, performing a dance from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, where she played Mr Salt.
Amelia also had the opportunity to attend a special Q&A session with international dance instructor Abby Lee Miller, as well as taking part in a choreography class with award-winning choreographer Dane Bates.
Amelia said: “It was a real honour to go to Prague and take part in the Dance World Cup, especially taking one of the leading roles of Mr Salt in our musical theatre performance.
“We rehearsed for weeks ahead of the competition and we spent two weeks in Prague competing. It was a great opportunity and I was able to meet Abby Lee Miller and Dane Bates, which was incredible.”
After helping bring back the gold medal for England, Amelia also took her Grade Five exam in Musical Theatre, scoring an impressive 90 out 100, and then went straight on to compete in the All England Dance Grand Finals in Wolverhampton last week, coming second with her tap group, ‘Iron’.
Amelia, who is a pupil at Lawn Manor Academy, has been dancing since she was four years old.
She said: “The All England Dance Grand Finals were probably harder than the Dance World Cup as there is so many talented dancers across England who are competing together at such a high level.
"I really love how dance can help me show and understand my emotions. It helps especially at school as my teacher, Miss Dixon, will often encourage me to improv through dance when I’m struggling and it helps me deal with how I’m feeling.”
Natasha Dixon, Head of Dance at Lawn Manor Academy, said: “Amelia’s dancing is astounding and we’re very proud of her competing at such a competitive international level.
"The opportunities that she had at the World Dance Championships with Abby Lee Miller and Dane Bates were once in a lifetime and we can’t wait to hear all about it when she’s back at school in September.”
Lawn Manor Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust, and for more information people can visit www.lawnmanor.org.
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