Dance World Cup 2019 Medallist

BHGS pupil and her team bring back two bronze medals from Portugal Dance World Cup 2019

I started dance classes when I was six with ballet, tap and musical theatre and I loved it. It’s a really good chance to meet new friends and compete in festivals. I continued with these classes but now also do jazz, modern and contemporary but most recently got my first pointe shoes! Dancing teaches you more than just how to move to music. I have learned to be really organised and train hard as well as learned how to work with others and be really disciplined. I have great teachers at North Star Academy who understand how to help me succeed and have developed my confidence over the years. It was amazing to have qualified for Team England at the Dance World Cup and it was an incredible experience to perform in Portugal with so many dancers from all over the world. Coming home with two bronze medals from my groups and knowing that England overall won the Dance World Cup 2019 was a really proud moment and I’m so glad I got to be a part of it. In this country, I compete in festivals all over England and the groups I am in will be performing at the All England Finals in High Wycombe in August. There are dancers I train with who are just amazing. I’m not one of the best but to be able to dance with inspirational people and watch them deliver some really difficult choreography is a good opportunity for me to aspire and challenge myself. I would advise others to always follow your interest, give things a try and persevere because you never know where your passion could take you!

Shivani Patel (7Se)