By Chris Cornford
An Island dance academy has won an incredible seven titles at the ‘Follow Your Dreams’ national competition.
The Starlight Boutique (Newport, Cowes and Freshwater) is owned by Mary Bowdery, who described the results as ‘unbelievable’. She explained: “Back in April 2020 we were due to take 34 young dancers to Bristol to take part in a regional dance competition.
“However, due to Covid, this competition was put on hold. The competition organisers were flying in from Australia and so, as things with pandemic started to get worse, they realised they needed to come up with an alternative solution.
“The organisers of ‘Follow Your Dreams’ then decided they would hold their events through live video competition. They held several regional events between September and January, and dance schools in each region would video their routines to be judged live on a set date.
“All videos had to be shot in one take and had to be uploaded before the deadline. We took part in the Bristol and Manchester competition in December.
“Our dancers danced their hearts out, with every entry scoring 87 points or above and therefore qualifying to the national heat. We were thrilled and couldn’t believe it.
“Last weekend, more than 500 competitors who had qualified across the five different regional events, came together and took part in the national finals virtually over three days.
“It was a great atmosphere full of positivity and admiration. I am beyond proud to say we came away with no less than seven national titles.
“It was such a buzz to watch all our students compete again through the screen and it has really geared us up for our next live production which, we hope, will be on July 11.
“To say we are proud is an understatement. We also received five second places and nine third places.
“Olivia Hurn, one of our senior students who came third in her contemporary solo, was among the top five highest scoring soloists throughout the competition in her age group.”
For more information about the dance studio email info@thestarlightboutique.co.uk or visit starlight-boutique.class4kids.co.uk.
National title winners:
Under 9, Contemporary Duet: Bessie Rowlinson/Sophie Cassford;
Under 12, Contemporary Duet: Evie Saunders/Kellease Delemere;
Open Contemporary Duet: Macie Edkins-Wherry /Olivia Hurn.
Under 12, Street and Hip-Hop Duet: Ava Andrews/Gracie Ross;
Under 14, Street and Hip-Hop Duet: Summer-Louise Ekland-Ironman/Ruby Rackett.
Under 14/16, Jazz Large Group: Tayla Wright/Eliza Barnes/Summer-Louise Eklund-Ironman/Macie Edkins-Wherry/Ruby Rackett/Libby Potts/Olivia Hurn/Taylor Morris/Izobel Parr/Harley Mumford/Deanna Perolls.
Under 14/16, Large Group Hip Hop and Street: Tayla Wright/Eliza Barnes/Summer-Louise Eklund-Ironman/Macie Edkins-Wherry/Ruby Rackett/Libby Potts/Olivia Hurn/Taylor Morris/Izobel Parr/Harley Mumford/Deanna Perolls.
Isle of Wight Observer