Dance school celebrates 65 years with colourful show at Concordia
A DANCE school with studios in Hinckley, Barwell, Sapcote and Ibstock is celebrating its 65th anniversary.
And to celebrate Rochelle The Dance School’s milestone, dancers from the school took part in a show titled ‘Journey’.
The show was performed over four nights and a matinee at The Concordia Theatre with almost 300 pupils from the school’s four studios taking part.
The theme interpreted different journeys, from steam trains and holidays to time travel and fantasy.
The journey of life, of growing up and the changing world were also conveyed in choreographed numbers encompassing ballet, tap, musical theatre, acro, modern and jazz.
A ballet number titled Sapphire marked the special occasion of the dance school’s 65th anniversary - a proud milestone for principal Kaye Shufflebotham.
The school, originally called the Birchfield School of Dance, was set up in Birmingham by Kaye’s mother, Sheila Smith, in 1954.
Ms Smith ran classes in the village before opening its doors to students at classes in The Narrows in Hinckley.
In 1978, the school relocated to the present day Hinckley studio in The Borough, offering dance classes for children from two-and-a-half years old through to adult dance and fitness sessions.
Some of the youngest beginner ballet dancers were on the stage for the first time for the anniversary show, in colourful rainbow costumes and delicate tutus.
Older pupils wore monochrome and acrobatic costumes for their routines, with some numbers complemented with a use of props and effects.
Interpretations of modern day living were presented by senior dancers, trips to wonderland were entertaining and upbeat, and tappers and ballerinas reminded audiences of the journey of music and information technology.
The finale united a packed stage of pupils who waved to the audience and warmly welcomed their teachers and Ms Shufflebotham on to the stage.
The principal said that she was extremely proud of all of her pupils, past and present, and of the team of talented teachers, assistants and people who support Rochelle.