Youngsters at Banbury dance academy qualify for World Cup Finals

Twenty-five pupils at the Julie Bruce Dance Academy will represent Team England at the 2021 Dance World Cup Finals this summer in Spain.

The competition squad, who go by the name of Slay Official, will go head-to-head with over 120,000 dancers from 62 different countries including the United States, Australia and South Africa.

The competition will take place across three stages at the Spanish Forum Evolution and Principal Theatre in Burgos, starting on July 2 for eight days.

Head dance principals of the academy, Miss Julie Bruce and Miss Tee Lily, said: “We are extremely proud of the children after what has been a very difficult year.

“The pupils have had to adapt to training online which has taken a toll on both their physical and mental health.

“However, they have continued to work hard and their dedication has truly paid off.”

Instead of training at their usual studio at the Magenta in Banbury, the children have had to resort to having lessons on Zoom to perfect their routines for the competition.

They train most nights after school in a range of subjects including ballet, tap, freestyle, acrobatics, cheerleading, street dance and musical theatre.

The Slay Official members are aged 5-17 years old and this is the first time they have ever competed at international level.

They were selected to represent England out of several hundred dance schools across the country who entered the competition online in December.

They will be competing with three acrobatic troop dances and three pupils will be dancing individually and as a duo.

Nine-year-old Oliver Taylor will be performing his street dance solo, and 14-year-olds Caitlin Dubber and Jessica Lemos will be doing their acrobatic duet.

Miss Julie and Miss Tee added: “We want to thank the parents for all their continued support, and know they will do everything they can to help their children fulfil their dreams and represent Team England.”

The Julie Bruce Dance Academy would like to encourage anyone who can to donate money towards helping the children purchase the England uniform and travel to Spain later this year.

Here is a link to their Go Fund Me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/slayofficial-rep-england-dance-world-cup