Congrats to everyone who has taken part!
Following nine impressive days of Dance Live! Heats at Portsmouth Guildhall, the winners and runners-up of the popular annual dance contest for schools and colleges have begun making their preparations for their return to the contest finals, but in an event that embodies teamwork, determination and fun it is truly the case that everyone is a winner!
Over 3,500 young people from 67 schools and colleges from across the region took to the Portsmouth stage for the Heats, performing choreographed dance routines to the backdrop of a giant LED screen and showcasing a range of off-stage technical and design skills.
With a focus on raising aspirations, strengthening health and wellbeing and developing skills for creative career choices, Dance Live! produced by The Guildhall Trust is an inclusive developmental experience that embraces the ever-evolving digital world and how this is changing the face of modern performance.
Feedback from teachers of those participating attests to what a positive and potentially life-changing impact Dance Live! has:
“A lot of our children don’t get a lot of WOW experiences (they thought we were in London when we arrived at the Guildhall and the clocktower was Big Ben) so for them this day is inspiring and creates lifelong memories. I have seen children, who struggle in the classroom environment, get up on that stage and change their entire attitude. There have been children, who barely speak in class, confidently dance the night away and then blossom in school. Some children, who have the most unfortunate circumstances, beam with pride and say Dance Live! is the best day of their life”.
“12 of our children who took part in Dance Live! have a diagnosis of Autism and seeing them up on stage performing was extremely emotional for myself and staff. We were unsure if on the day they would participate but they shone and were so proud of themselves”.
The winners and runners-up of further Heats that are taking place in Poole, Guildford, High Wycombe and Eastbourne will join those from Portsmouth in a regional final that will take place at the Guildhall in May.
A separate contest for schools and colleges in the North of England was also successfully launched this year, taking the total numbers involved in Dance Live! 2023 to over 5,000 young people from 125 schools.
Expressions of interest to participate in events across the country in 2024 are now open – head to www.dancelive.co.uk
Schools and colleges wanting to find out more and businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities can find out more at www.dancelive.co.uk or you can speak to the team directly at dancelive@portsmouthguildhall.org.uk or call 023 9387 0196.
Dance Live! Portsmouth – Heats Results 2023:
MONDAY 20TH FEBRUARY
1ST PLACE: Yateley School
2ND PLACE: St Oscar Romero Catholic School
3RD PLACE: Mayfield School (Seniors)
DANCE LIVE! FELLOWSHIP AWARD: Barton Peveril Sixth Form College
VIDEO JOURNEY AWARD: Yateley School
TECHNICAL AWARD: St Oscar Romero Catholic School
TUESDAY 21ST FEBRUARY
1ST PLACE: Saint Edmunds Catholic School
2ND PLACE: Redwood Park Academy
3RD PLACE: The Angmering School
DANCE LIVE! FELLOWSHIP AWARD: Admiral Lord Nelson School
VIDEO JOURNEY AWARD: Worthing College
TECHNICAL AWARD: The Petersfield school
WEDNESDAY 22ND FEBRUARY
1ST PLACE: Bridgemary School
2ND PLACE: Redbridge Community School
3RD PLACE (TIED): Baycroft School & Mary Rose Academy
DANCE LIVE! FELLOWSHIP AWARD: Mary Rose Academy
VIDEO JOURNEY AWARD: Wildern School
TECHNICAL AWARD: Ryde School with Upper Chine
THURSDAY 23RD FEBRUARY
1ST PLACE: The Bay CE Primary School
2ND PLACE: Pembridge Hall School
3RD PLACE: Lanesend Primary School
DANCE LIVE! FELLOWSHIP AWARD: The Bay CE Primary School
VIDEO JOURNEY AWARD: Pembridge Hall School
TECHNICAL AWARD: Wellstead Primary School
FRIDAY 24TH FEBRUARY
1ST PLACE: Solent Junior School
2ND PLACE: Colden Common Primary School
3RD PLACE: Mayville High School Juniors
DANCE LIVE! FELLOWSHIP AWARD: The Federation of Nettlestone & Newchurch Primary School
VIDEO JOURNEY AWARD: Colden Common Primary School
TECHNICAL AWARD: Solent Junior School
MONDAY 27TH FEBRUARY
1ST PLACE: Portsmouth Grammar School
2ND PLACE: Itchen Sixth Form College
3RD PLACE: Ryde Academy
DANCE LIVE! FELLOWSHIP AWARD: Ryde Academy
VIDEO JOURNEY AWARD: Swanmore College
TECHNICAL AWARD: Trafalgar School
TUESDAY 28TH FEBRUARY
1ST PLACE: Purbrook Park School
2ND PLACE: Christ The King College
3RD PLACE: Chichester College
DANCE LIVE! FELLOWSHIP AWARD: Cams Hill School
VIDEO JOURNEY AWARD: Mayville High School Seniors
TECHNICAL AWARD: Christ The King College
TUESDAY 7TH MARCH
1ST PLACE: Mayfield School Juniors
2ND PLACE: Rowner Junior School
DANCE LIVE! FELLOWSHIP AWARD: Endeavour Primary School
VIDEO JOURNEY AWARD: St Marks C of E Primary School
TECHNICAL AWARD: Rowner Junior School
WEDNESDAY 8TH MARCH
1ST PLACE: Highfield CE Primary School
2ND PLACE: Bitterne Manor Primary School
3RD PLACE: Federation of Trosnant Junior School
DANCE LIVE! FELLOWSHIP AWARD: Federation of Riders Junior School
VIDEO JOURNEY AWARD: Arundel Court Primary Academy
TECHNICAL AWARD: Bitterne Manor Primary School
Dance Live! Poole – Heats Results 2023:
1ST PLACE: Churchill Academy and Sixth Form Centre
2ND PLACE: Queen Elizabeth’s School
3RD PLACE: Bryanston School
DANCE LIVE! FELLOWSHIP AWARD: Corfe Hills School
VIDEO JOURNEY AWARD: Bryanston School
TECHNICAL AWARD: Deer Park Secondary School
Dance Live! North Competition – Sheffield 2023:
1ST PLACE: West Lakes Academy
2ND PLACE: Cockermouth School
3RD PLACE: Accrington Academy
DANCE LIVE! FELLOWSHIP AWARD: Cockermouth School
VIDEO JOURNEY AWARD: West lakes Academy
TECHNICAL AWARD: Sheffield Springs Academy
Image Credit: Vernon Nash Photography
www.dancelive.co.uk