The sparkle of the Christmas jumper could be seen as I walked through the car park and into The Village Centre for what was to be the beginning of an incredible day.
My heart felt full as I could hear Miss Antonia teaching our babyballet stars in one studio whilst I headed over to our second studio to be met with the excitement of our East Kilbride dancers, the youngest cohort in the school. Whilst they were putting their finishing touches to the performance, I witnessed the church being transformed into a cosy auditorium and before long it was time to begin!
The dancers emerged with great big smiles, a little nerves and lots of tinsel and they were ready to not only showcase their skills but their performance! The louder the audience cheered, the more our dancers shone! A particularly special moment came from our ambassador, Thomas, who proudly demonstrated that "boys can do ballet." His passion and talent reminded everyone that dance has no boundaries.
After a morning filled with applause, tears and lots of laughter, the first performance came to a close and whilst half of the team were already setting up for our second performance, the EK team packed up and headed over to Holytown.
Our Baillieston dancers, and our largest cohort, took to the “stage” next. With two fabulous solos to open and close the performance, we were definitely going to be in for a treat. Left in awe at the Polor Express and the incredible skills showcased in Acro, to the attitude and sass of the cheerleaders, I was left feeling completely moved by the community spirit as the audience cheered for one dancer that took control of their nerves and performed beautifully. From lifts, to leaps, intricate technique and creativity, the Baillieston show definitely left us all feeling inspired.
As the day was coming to a close, the dancers from our first ever branch, Motherwell, opened with the movie of the year and it was truly Wicked! The senior dancers inspired us with their ballet routine and to see so many dancers en pointe was incredible. I was captivated by the intermediate ballet routine and cried by the time they finished. Some of the groups may have been smaller, but you definitely didn’t notice as the energy that each dancer brought was felt throughout the room and their confidence knew no bounds as they performed.
Reflecting on this magical day, it’s remarkable to think what a team of seven and a cohort of 80 dancers can achieve. From the youngest ballerinas to the seasoned performers, the growth in confidence, skill, and passion was on full display. These showcases weren’t just about dancing—they were a celebration of the bonds formed not only between their peers but also their teachers, the incredible creativity with choreography and music and our brilliant dancers bringing this to life through their performance.
This Winter Showcase wasn’t just a day of performances. It was a testament to the magic that happens when young people are given the space to grow, the encouragement to shine, and a community that believes in them. Truly, a day to remember.
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