The Wyke Dance Squad are celebrating another year of national success after securing second place at the prestigious That’s Showbiz dance competition. Placed first in the Hip category and earning a coveted place in the final dance off, The Matrix was narrowly pipped to the crown, taking home a well-deserved second place.
Wyke Dance teacher Scarlet Hird praised the squad’s commitment and creativity. “Competing at That's Showbiz is one of our highlights of the year. It gives our students the opportunity to audition, rehearse and compete on a national stage, as the only Sixth Form College in the country that takes part. We enter routines in a range of styles, including street, jazz and contemporary. The students' hard work this year resulted in them placing 2nd at the Prestige Final, out of 800 routines nationwide and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.”
With four routines reaching the finals and another major podium finish, Wyke’s Dance Squad continue to strengthen their reputation as one of the most exciting emerging teams in the country.
Dance Captain Ava Sagar, “I have really enjoyed being a part of the competition squad as I loved performing with my friends. Having the chance as a dance captain to choreograph a piece was amazing, and to reach the national Prestige final with this is something I will cherish forever.”
Ava's experience was also shared by fellow Dance Captain Emily Holmes, "The chance to perform on stage as part of the dance comp squad has been a great opportunity during both my years at Wyke. It has been really helpful with gaining confidence and getting a feel of what the dance industry is like to prepare me for my next steps after college. The finals weekend trip is a highlight of the year and something we always look forward to."
The Wyke Dance Squad is a cross-college enrichment opportunity that welcomes all students, and studying dance is not required in order to become a member of the team. This national award-winning group enters the United Kingdom’s largest group dance competition, That’s Showbiz, performing a wide range of styles across the competition heats, the semi-final and the final. Choreography for the competition pieces is created by Scarlet Hird, David Danville and Hannah Goodhall, showcasing Contemporary, Commercial,Jazz, or fusion styles depending on the theme for the year, and there are also opportunities for students to create and lead their own routines for entry into the competition.
Students can audition for the commercial dance team, the contemporary dance team or both. Auditions are held during the first full week of the academic year and every student is welcome to attend.
Dance at Wyke is highly regarded due to the department’s excellent track record of national competition success, frequently out performing private dance schools at major events such as That’s Showbiz. Many former students have progressed to prestigious institutions including Bird College of Dance and Musical Theatre, Wilkes Academy and the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.
In 2019, Wyke was crowned national champion, triumphing over more than six thousand dancers from two hundred dance schools and remarkably standing as the only sixth form college competing against fully professional schools.
