Whitworth students shine at spectacular dance show

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy routine: Jasmine Clayton, Sophie Barnes along with second from right Bridie Johnson

Dancers from Whitworth Community High School joined a cast of 150 on stage at Burnley Mechanics for the Dansworks Dance Academy annual show.

These included Sophie Barnes, Jasmine Clayton, Jaydan Hanson-Beech, Bridie Johnson, Ella Lord and Carmel Sweeney.
Making her debut on the stage was Kaylee Lowton-Heathcote who only started dancing in November.

Bridie, 13, has been dancing with the academy since she was eight after she had lessons at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Bacup.

She said: “The show was fantastic. Before I went on stage I meditated because I was really scared and the stage at the Mechanics is really big.

“When I went on I was calm, I did spot my mum while I was dancing and she cried. It was a really good experience to be on a proper stage with such a big audience.”

Jasmine, 13, said: “I have been dancing since I was four and now I also help out at Dansworks in Bacup where I assist with the younger children’s classes. I help the three to five years’ olds to put on their shoes and teach them new steps.

“Helping with the classes makes me happy and I enjoy seeing them dance.”
Bridie also helps with the younger classes and it is her ambition to run her own dance studio.

Dansworks Principal Karen Roe said: “Kaylee is an amazing performer and we are all excited to see how she is progressing with her dancing.

“At the moment, we have Carmel, Jasmine, Jaydan and Bridie from Whitworth Community High School helping out with the younger classes and they are like teaching assistants and they do a good job.”

The show featured a combination of dance styles including tap, ballet, jazz, Irish, musical theatre and street dance.