Students host an evening of dance

On Thursday 19th December the students of Steyning Grammar School presented ‘Just Dance’ an evening of dance performed by the students in the main school drama hall. The hall was full of parents and members of the community who enjoyed an energetic and very varied evening of dance.

The ‘Choreograph Challenge’ winners included a group of junior dancers Erin Durand, Olivia Gallagher & Amelia Meierdirk who gave a lovely contemporary performance to ‘Diamonds in the Sky’ by Rhianna. Erin Durand said “We have spent three weeks practicing in the drama room at Church Street during our breaks, so are very pleased to win. It is our first time performing and to be in the show is even more pleasing”

The competition for the senior group was extremely close, so two winners were selected. Tamsynne Searle who performed an Irish dance solo and a group of dances Laura Vickers, Abigail Thompson, Hayley Thompson, Becky Darling, Kim Style and Milly Robinson with a great display of another contemporary piece to ‘Made up Love Song’ by the Guillemots. The group who are all members of the same dance school were very pleased to have won as the standard has been really high this year.

Dance by Chance, a 24 strong group of year 9’s did a very technical performance to the music ‘Insomnia’. An interesting and creative ‘Chair Based’ dance was inspired by ‘ Rosas Danst Rosas’ and performed by year 11.

There was a sub theme of ‘Musicals’ this year and Westside Story was performed by a large group of Sixth Form students with an athletic version of ‘Cool’ written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. There was a lively rendition of Hairspray by our year 9 students. Our year 10 students treated everyone to a foot tapping performance of Footloose, finishing with some excellent acrobatics. This year our Sixth Form Students composed the choreography for the year 7 & 8’s superb performance of the Lion King.

The ‘SGS Tappers’ consisting of 12 dancers from years 10 to 13 performed a rhythmical fusion of street and tap dance to Little Mix’s ‘Move’ and there was a jolly performance of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ with a star appearance by Father Christmas, concluding another entertaining evening of dance at the school.

The show organiser Mrs Anna Morris, Head of Dance, Steyning Grammar School was extremely pleased with the depth of talent in this years show. The students have been working on this show since September. AOn Thursday 19th December the students of Steyning Grammar School presented ‘Just Dance’ an evening of dance performed by the students in the main school drama hall. The hall was full of parents and members of the community who enjoyed an energetic and very varied evening of dance.

nna said “The students at Steyning are such a pleasure to work with. Every year they improve allowing ‘Just Dance’ to be filled with challenging choreography. They have all showed great commitment and I would like to thank them for all their hard work.”

Mr Nick Wergan, Headteacher, Steyning Grammar School said “Our students so often inspire us, and again this happened tonight. It was such a pleasure to end term on such a show of student creativity, artistic interpretation, teamwork and sheer skill. The months of preparation and rehearsing from students and staff were really worth it.”

Funds raised from the show ticket sales will go back into dance and contribute to costumes and resources, with a particular wish this year to purchase some ballet bars for the dance studio to assist with A level dance.