Legacy Dance Academy return from World Championships as world champs

Date published: 07 July 2022

Dancers from Rochdale-based Legacy Dance Academy are now world champions after competing in the dance world’s biggest competition in June.

Both of Legacy’s teams won the sections they competed in at the World Championships at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

The older Identity teams – made up of dancers ranging in ages from 12-17 years – are now world champions in street dance and intermediate freestyle, whilst the under 12s Unity teams are world champs in street dance and beginner freestyle.

Legacy’s Nikki Cooke said: “We are absolutely thrilled for the girls and the hard work that they have put into this. All of our dancers had an amazing time and loved witnessing the talent that was on show at the biggest competition in the dance world.

“There were lots of teams competing for the World Championship title and the shock and elation when we won is something that I am sure the girls will hold with them forever – I know that I will.”

The dance school also had a huge number of recalls, resulting in some finalist, semi-finalist and quarter-finalist places.

Molly Slack, 10, placed as runner-up in her U12 solo section, and placed eighth in the street dance solo. Annabelle Deegan, who has only been competing since November, placed fifth in the street dance solo.

Legacy also had quarter finalists in the solo sections with Ava-Mai Flaherty, seven, Grace Kershaw, eight, Meisha Martin, and Libby Whatmough, both 14.

The Rochdale school also had finalists in the pairs sections with Georgia Quinlan and Claudia Wheeldon making the U8 beginner pairs final and placing sixth, despite being one of the youngest pairings in the section.  

Sophia Wheeldon, eight, and Ava-Mai Flaherty, seven, made the U10 beginner pairs final and placed fifth.

Sister partnership, Isabelle Quinlan, 13, and Gracie Quinlan, 12, placed sixth in the U14 intermediate pairs final.

Nikki added: “All of the sections were really busy, and every single recall was a huge achievement. All of our partnerships had to dance through numerous rounds to gain their place in the Worlds final; the excitement each round they got through was really breathtaking!

“We had a really fabulous weekend overall both in results and as a dance school: a huge competition like this really brings dancers together and it was lovely to watch them share in each other’s joy of achievements and support each other every step of the way.

“The dancers have made memories for a lifetime, and we are looking forward to working even harder in the fight for next year’s titles.”

Legacy Dance Academy has been open since July 2019 and offers various dance classes for ages 2+ in a range of styles alongside freestyle, these include contemporary dance, street dance, and acro gymnastics.

Legacy also offer opportunities for children to take part in a yearly show and accredited dance examinations twice a year. Beginner freestyle classes take place on Monday evenings and Saturday afternoons.