Whitworth student gains place at ballet school

Dancer Jaydan Hanson-Beech has been accepted at Manchester’s Northern Ballet School, following  a successful audition.

The 15-year-old student from Whitworth Community High School dreams of emulating the backing dancers who bring to life the performances of X Factor singers or appearing in music videos.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/124228/whitworth-dancer-to-audition-with-the-northern-ballet-school

Jaydan has been attending Dansworks Dance Academy in Bacup since he was four and took up ballet five years ago.

He said: “At the audition the first lesson was ballet and there were only three boys in a class of girls, and I felt a bit like Billy Elliot. After the ballet we could choose our own class and I went for contemporary.

“The lessons lasted about 45 minutes and it was different having another dance teacher give me instructions, you had to follow what was asked and they were checking how you performed.

“It was really scary being in a group of girls when there were only three boys.”

After the lessons he was invited to discuss his career plans with the headteacher, meanwhile his parents Sam Beech and Donna Hanson had to wait outside, not knowing how their son was doing.

Jaydan said: “I was asked what my ultimate goal was and I said that I didn’t have one, I just knew that I want to be a dancer.”

At the auditions he met students from Wales and Ireland who were learning at the school.

He then had a six day wait until the letter arrived informing him that he had been accepted.

Jaydan said: “I was so overwhelmed and emotional. I was just over the moon. My dad was at home and he gave me a big hug, when my mum found out she was also delighted.”

Principal of Dansworks Karen Roe was next to find out and Jaydan said she was ecstatic.

He said: “When I dance, I take myself away from the world and am able to find head space and just forget everything else. When I dance I am in a good place.”

Jaydan is hoping to secure a DaDa dance and drama award to help him towards the school fees and is seeking other grants to help with the course, but he said if he is unsuccessful in obtaining support his dancing dreams will be in tatters.

Jaydan said: “I have a lot of people to thank for helping me to get where I am, my dance teachers at Dansworks, without whose guidance I would never be anywhere near the standard I am, my parents for all their support, my best friends Anita Somerwill, her daughter Jasmine and Carmel Sweeney.

“I am really grateful for all the support I have had off everybody.”

Grants willing, Jaydan will start at the school in September after completing his GCSEs.