This weekend, our Elite competition team took to the stage at the Surrey heat of the Dance Inspirations competition, a national event that tours the UK. With over 20 local dance schools participating and hundreds of dancers showcasing their talents, the atmosphere was electric, and our students gave it their all!
What is Dance Inspirations?
Dance Inspirations is a prestigious national competition that challenges dancers across a range of styles and age groups. Participants compete in styles like Lyrical, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, and Acro, with age categories from five to eighteen years. Scores are divided into four key areas – Music, Performance, Technique, and Choreography – ensuring a holistic assessment of each routine. Our talented soloists performed in Acro, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Jazz, honing their skills they have honed in our competitive dance classes in Chiswick and Wimbledon.
Elite’s Spectacular Results
We’re thrilled to share the outstanding achievements of our dancers:
Soloists:
- Melissa (Lyrical solo): 2nd place.
- Valeria (Jazz solo): 1st place and Miss Title winner!
- Isabelle (Acro solo): 1st place.
- Anna (Acro solo): 2nd place.
Duet:
- Tara & Liv (Jazz duet): 1st place.
Groups:
- Mini Comp Team (Jazz group): 1st place.
- Junior Comp Team (Jazz group): 1st place.
- Junior Comp Team (Lyrical group): 2nd place.
- Teen Group (Open selection): 1st place for Believer and 2nd place for Sand.
Dance Challenge: A Test of Quick Learning
The Dance Challenge is one of the most exciting parts of the day, where dancers are given a short amount of time to learn choreography set by a judge – just like a real dance audition. Out of 60 entries, the competition was cut down to 3 finalists. We’re proud to say that Isabelle and Walt made it to the final three, a remarkable achievement in such a high-pressure environment!
Judges’ Battle: Elite’s Rising Stars
Throughout the competition, judges select dancers who they believe bring something truly unique to the stage. Isabelle and Ocean were among the talented few chosen to compete in the Judges Battle at the national final in January.
National Finalists Bound for Blackpool
We’re thrilled to announce that several of our dancers have qualified for the national finals in Blackpool! Our Junior Jazz and Lyrical Groups, Mini Comp Team, Valeria (solo), Tara & Liv (duet), Teen Group (with Believer and Sand), Isabelle (solo), and Anna (solo) have all earned their place to compete on the national stage.
Behind the Scenes: Training That Fuels Success
The success of our dancers is a testament to their dedication and the comprehensive training they receive at Elite. Alongside Competition Team rehearsals and Comp Tech class, each dancer is required to train in multiple other disciplines. For example, many of our students attend Ballet, Acro and Jazz classes in Wimbledon, while others do the same in Chiswick. With private training on top, some dancers are currently training up to 8 hours a week. These varied classes provide the essential skills that fuel their performance excellence and give them the confidence to shine on stage. We recognise the immense dedication it takes from all the dancers and their families.
Dance Inspirations was more than just a competition – it was an incredible opportunity for our dancers to gain performance experience, receive valuable feedback from industry judges, and bond as a team. Watching each other perform and cheering one another on brought our team closer together, and the experience has inspired everyone to keep pushing their limits.
We are so proud of the dedication and hard work our dancers put into every routine, and we can’t wait to see them shine again in Blackpool!
Launched this term, we have just introduced a competitive dance class in Streatham! For ages 6 to 11, our Streatham Mini Comp Team is the perfect start for any budding dancer interested in taking their dance to the next level.
