Cumbria’s largest dance school hosted their annual showcase this weekend, with the school’s principal dubbing it a ‘stunning success’.
Step By Step School of Dance, which was established over 31 years ago in 1990 by Joanne Dougan, known to all as Miss Joanne, has hosted annual showcases for parents and families of the students since then.
The school holds weekly classes in a range of locations around West Cumbria including Drigg, St Bees, Cleator Moor and Egremont.
They hosted their first showcase in over two years at Lakes College, Lillyhall.
Over 180 students performed at their Christmas Dance Spectacular to sold out audiences on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
Some of the numbers performed included The Musicals Are Back, Cinema Italiano, Romeo & Juliet, Jamie, Moulin Rouge, and the national troupe winner’s performance of Beetlejuice.
Joanne Dougan said she was elated to be back.
She added: “We are all delighted to be back performing for a live audience after two years. Our pupils have shown such resilience throughout the pandemic with their dance training.
“We have remained closed for much of 2020/21 and persevered with Zoom lessons, staying positive, and focused and using the opportunity of zoom lessons with West End stars, choreographers and even the strictly professionals to keep us all motivated, during the lockdowns.
“When we were allowed back into classes, we had to train socially distanced from each other, and without any contact.
“We have been free of restrictions since the start of the autumn term and to produce this show in just eight weeks and to our usual award-winning standard is a real testament and celebration of the talent, dedication, teamwork and support everyone has shown throughout. The Dance Spectacular was a stunning success.”
The show also included a raft of distinction winning dancers, Chloe Stones, Connie Dougan, Sam Potter, Lucy Hewitt, Ashlee Hocking, Sophie Hoyle, Leina Rooney, Chloe Rickerby and Chloe Fawcett who wowed the crowds with their solos.
