Article by:
Ruth Lognonne
A talented school dance troupe in the North East has been inspired by the work of a nationally renowned ballet dancer.
Pupils at Dame Allan’s School, in Newcastle, staged performances including powerful choreography by Edward Pearce from BalletBoyz, who is in his fifth season with the innovative ballet troupe.
Edward trained at Rambert School of Ballet, in London, and is a Royal Ballet School senior associate.
The piece, choreographed for one of the schools’ dance companies Jeune, enabled the young dancers to express themselves through a series of solo performances.
Year 11 student Rebecca Douglass, who was chosen to be in the piece by Edward, said: “I had a brilliant time working with Edward, it was great to learn from such a successful professional.
“I am going on to do A-Level dance at Dame Allan’s and will take what I have learned into my own choreography then.
“I hope to have a career in dance and am really grateful to my teacher Mrs Clough for all of her hard work.”
Other pieces performed included Birds of Paradise, choreographed by talented, up-and-coming regional choreographer Anthony Lo Giudice.
Also taking to the stage were Niamh McBride and Richard Tyson, two students who recently returned from a residential scheme at The Royal Ballet School in London.
Providing yet more inspiration for the young performers, former Dame Allan’s Ellis Saul returned as a guest choreographer.
Ellis began her dance career at Dame Allan’s, going on to achieve a scholarship at the London Contemporary Dance School where her choreography has been performed at the Royal Opera House.
The show was the last one that dance teacher Lynda Clough will choreograph, as she retires in the summer after 26 years.
Mrs Clough said: “This has been another brilliant show and for our students to work with Edward Pearce and Ellis Saul has been such a great experience for them.
“Performance is a huge part of their education and they all did themselves really proud. It’s been an emotional, but brilliant last show for me with Dame Allan’s.”
Dr John Hind, Principal at Dame Allan’s Schools, added: “The show was, yet again, a fantastic showcase of the talent and hard work of our pupils.
“Their success is down to the years of hard work which Lynda Clough has devoted to the department and she will be greatly missed.”
Dame Allan’s Schools were founded in 1705 with the girls’ school believed to be one of the oldest independent girls’ schools in the country.
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