STUDENTS from a dance academy have performed in an exciting showcase at The Anvil theatre in Basingstoke.

A hundred and sixty dancers from the award winning Basingstoke Academy of Dance (BAD) performed in the school's Keep Dancing end-of-year showcase, which took place on Sunday, July 24.

The showcase gave the dancers a chance to demonstrate everything they had learned in the many courses offered by the academy.

For many of the performers this was their first opportunity to dance on stage, due to lockdown restrictions, with the performers ranging in age from four to adult.

Basingstoke Gazette: Students at the academy range in age from 4 to adult.Students at the academy range in age from 4 to adult. Dance academy principal Tanya Schipelbaum called the showcase “great fun”, saying: “It went down well with everybody, and the kids enjoyed it.

“I’ve had lots of really great feedback saying how amazing it was.

READ MORE: Meraki dancers return from Dance World Cup in Spain with medals for Team England

“Lots of people appreciated that we got the kids back on a stage.

“It was good to get everyone up there and dancing, just seeing what they could achieve, as the little ones got to watch all the big ones, they could see where they are aiming for, and we can showcase all our different subjects.”

BAD also collected money at the performance to donate to Hook-based charity Victoria’s Promise, which raises money to support young women and their families going through cancer.

Basingstoke Gazette: Tanya Schipelbaum (right) alongside Charlotte West (left) and Ava Wilson (centre)Tanya Schipelbaum (right) alongside Charlotte West (left) and Ava Wilson (centre) The showcase also saw the family of photographer Syd Chapman awarding a £500 bursary to one of BAD’s students, Amelia Bywaters.

The annual bursary was set up by Syd’s family to leave a legacy with the school after his death in 2020.

SEE ALSO: Hospital radio station raises more than £1,500 with family fun day

Tanya explained: “Because he had been really close with us over the years, his daughter danced with us, the family wanted to have something to keep Syd’s memory at the school.

“So, they have an annual £500 bursary that they are giving.

“The children had to apply for it by explaining what they do at the Basingstoke academy and why they think they should get the bursary and also what they would do with the bursary.”

Basingstoke Gazette: Bursary winner Amelia Bywaters Bursary winner Amelia Bywaters Bursary winner Amelia will use the money to follow her dream to attend a vocational college to study dance professionally.

She will use the money to attend auditions and pay for extra training.

A message from the editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support.

Subscribing means you have unrestricted access to the latest news and reader rewards - all with an advertising-light website.

Don't take my word for it – subscribe here to see for yourself.

Looking to advertise an event? Then check out our free events guide.

Want to keep up with the latest news and join in the debate? You can find and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.