Dance Proms announces 2012 line-up

Press Release: 12^th July 2012 London - The final line-up for the second Dance Proms announced today.

Twenty six dance acts from around the UK have been selected to perform together at the second Dance Proms, a major national dance festival, at the Royal Albert Hall in November. Dance Proms is designed to celebrate dance in all its forms and the unique relationship between students and their dance teachers. 

Dance Proms was launched last year to find the UK and Ireland’s most talented dance students - in all dance genres, from ballet to ballroom, salsa to street dance and jive to jazz dance – and offer them a unique opportunity to perform on stage at one of the world’s most prestigious venues.  It is supported by dozens of top names from the dance world – Dance Proms patrons include Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, Darren Bennett & Lilia Kopylova, Matt Flint, Chris Hollins, Len Goodman, Wayne Sleep OBE and the RAD’s President Darcey Bussell CBE.

This year’s selected students will now go on to perform at the Royal Albert Hall on 4^th November 2012, along with guest appearances from Strictly Come Dancing’s Darren Bennett & Lilia Kopylova.

The Dance Proms Company involves over 400 dancers from around the country and includes solo, couple and group dances.  The full list is shown below and includes six schools who took part last year.

Sponsored by Barry M Cosmetics, Dance Proms is organised by the UK’s leading dance organisations: the International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA), Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD); the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Britain’s most iconic venue, the Royal Albert Hall. As a charity, the Royal Albert Hall strives to contribute to and support the cultural life of the country to ensure a legacy for future generations, evident in its support of events such as Dance Proms.  

To qualify for Dance Proms, dance teachers and their students submitted a short dance piece featuring original choreography in any genre. The pieces could be performed as a solo, couple, trio or group performance.  This year, the genres range from more traditional ballet and tap, to cheerleading and Latin American dance. 

Entries were submitted online by video and were judged by a panel including artistic directors and senior examiners from all three dance organisations.  These dance professionals selected the line-up of dance acts to perform at the Royal Albert Hall. 

An online public vote took place during June to find the final act to join the Dance Proms Company. This was won by Studio One in Wimbourne, Dorset with a group freestyle/modern theatre piece called Proud Mary. 

Christopher Nourse, Dance Proms Project Manager commented:

“The enthusiasm for last year’s first Dance Proms event has continued, and we are delighted that this year’s entries were of such a high standard.  We have an exciting range of performances to look forward to, from ballet and pas de deux to street dance and tap. 

“Choosing a programme that reflects the range, style, diversity and quality of the dance organisations’ work is always difficult but I know that   Dance Proms will be a spectacular event as well as showcasing the very best of the country’s young dancing talent.”   

Darcey Bussell CBE, President of the RAD and Patron of Dance Proms says:

“Dance Proms provides young dancers from all genres with the opportunity to dance in a truly inspirational setting and I am honoured to be a patron of the project. It is important that young dancers have as many opportunities as possible to experience performing in productions, so that they learn how to perfect their beautiful art form."

Barry M Cosmetics -Britain’s leading colour cosmetic brand - will be sponsoring this year’s Dance Proms, helping to make all the dancers even more beautiful.

Participating students will also be able to connect with each other and get up-to-the-minute Dance Proms news via the Digital Green Room initiative.  The Digital Green Room allows all participating dancers to come together on this private online forum, get to know one another and work together as a team on activities in the run up to the event.  Monthly e-books contain many interesting articles and videos to help stimulate online conversations, as well as including advice from industry professionals from the world of dance.    

Dance Proms at the Royal Albert Hall is open to the public and tickets are now on sale from just £12 through the Royal Albert Hall Box Office on 0845 401 5045 and website – www.royalalberthall.com. For further information please visit www.danceproms.co.uk or contact info@danceproms.co.uk

The following dance acts (listed in alphabetical order by Dance School) have been selected to perform at Dance Proms on 4^th November

For further information and to request images, please contact Penny Clifton/Tori Dance/Becky Short at Midas PR: 020 7361 7860, becky.short@midaspr.co.uk