South Shields dancers make town proud at British Championships

Young performers Maisy Tomlin, 10, Max Walton, nine, and Pixie Armstrong, six, from Lauren Anderson Academy of Dance, travelled to Blackpool to compete against dancers from across the country in the prestigious competition.

And the youngsters from the school, based at All Saints Community Centre in South Shields, made their town proud with their impressive set of results.

Maisy blew away judges with her tap performance coming away as a British Juvenile Tap Champion.

The youngster was aged just nine when she competed in the under-10 section, performing her minute and a half routine on several occasions before making it to the final round.

Meanwhile fellow dancer Max won the title of ‘Most Promising Juvenile’ from the whole festival, which ran from July 28 to August 3 and saw more than 200 dancers take part.

He competed in four categories - tap, song and dance, ballet and modern - coming fourth place in tap and sixth place in the other sections.

Pixie was just five when she competed in the same four categories in the baby championship, her first time competing at championship level.

Proud teacher Lauren Anderson said: “I am very proud of all the dancers, it is just overwhelming how well they have done.

“Maisy achieved her first British title and Max danced in all four sections, placing in every section.

“He and came away with the award of ‘Most Promising Juvenile’ from the whole festival.

“For Pixie this was her first ever time competing in championships and she stayed all week to support the others too.

“Max and Maisy have had experience in other championships, but was the first time at the British.

“Maisy has been rehearsing her competitive routine for the last year and trains with us four times a week in all categories.
“She has been with us since she was two.

“We only had three students competing against some very well-established schools, to come away with five placings, a champion and a ‘Most Promising Juvenile’ award was just amazing.”

In the competition dancers performed the same routine several times for the different rounds before making in through to the finals.

Around 90 to 100 dancers competed in the juvenile sections and between 40 to 50 dancers took part in the baby category.

Pupils from the school also travelled down to show their support for the young dancers.

Later this month a team of 10 will be compete at a championship competition in Birmingham.

Lauren added: “I think the success of the British has made other believe they can do this too.”