Young dancer delighted with spot at London Studio Centre

MOSSLEY Hollins High School student Ella Atkinson made all the right moves at an audition to win a sought-after place at London Studio Centre.The 15-year-old from Carrbrook will continue her studies at the centre, which is recognised for delivering a world-class education and training in dance and music theatre.

“They hold worldwide auditions so to secure a place is a huge achievement and we are very proud of Ella,” explained proud mum Laura who added the centre’s alumni makes impressive reading.

Following an intensive audition which consisted of a ballet, jazz, contemporary class, performance of a solo choreography, interview and physical assessment, Ella was offered a place to study on their FdA professional dance performance programme from September.

This two-year programme leads to a further 12 months for a BA (Hons) professional performance year and provides a thorough grounding in key dance techniques with in-depth development of specialist skills leading to specialisation in classical ballet, contemporary dance, jazz dance or music theatre.

Students can tailor and explore different styles and become versatile performers. Knowledge of dance science, choreographic and contextual studies are integrated to enhance professional performance practice and they have frequent opportunities to perform at major London venues.

It is a far cry to when former Stalyhill Juniors’ pupil Ella took her first twirls at the Sarah England School of Dance, Stalybridge, aged three.

Ella was offered a place at the Northern Ballet Centre for Advanced Training in Leeds where she spent three years and later at their centre in Salford at The Lowry Centre.

She has also bee involved with the Phoenix Dance Academy, Leeds, and been an associate member at Olivia Higham Company, Manchester.

“Olivia does more than 22 hours a week in addition to her education making it a real juggling act,” explained Laura.

Ella started performing classical ballet but has since switched to contemporary dance.

Her ambitions are to be a performer with a contemporary dance company and she also wants to be a choreographer.

Laura added: “It is going to be a huge learning curve and a challenge for Ella.

“It is frightening for her mum and dad but we have to get behind her as it is a brilliant opportunity.

Ella has worked so hard and thoroughly deserves this opportunity to achieve her dreams.”

Though Ella will be able to get a student loan, the course is more expensive than for university degrees.

And Ella, whose four-year-old brother Oliver is also a student at Sarah England School of Dance, has launched her own GoFundMe page to try and raise funds and help ease the financial pressures on her parents.

You can contribute at www.gofundme.com/f/support-ella-in-achieving-her-dancing-dreams

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