Local school children from IIsleys, Yattendon, Beedon, Hermitage, Curridge and Hampstead Norreys primary schools and Oratory Prep School came to Downe House for the Day of Dance and were barely through the doors before one visiting teacher commented that “they are having great fun already.” In the morning, the pupils started with warm-ups and games before learning a whole-group dance and then split into four groups to learn their individual group routines each with their own Downe House dance teacher. “The day has been a wonderful opportunity for the children to gain confidence in a bigger school setting” observed one visiting staff member. Another echoed this sentiment when she commented that the day “really pushed the children out of their comfort zone and they had to work as team. It has been a great opportunity for them to do something different and benefit from the expertise of the Downe House staff in teaching dance.”
After fuelling up at lunchtime, all the pupils came together in the afternoon to perform their routines to each other as well as to an audience of staff and parents. The children demonstrated their new skills in fusion routines of Contemporary and Hip Hop to some crowd-pleasing tunes.
Head of Extra-Curricular Dance, Miss Olivia Ward commented,
The Day of Dance was a huge success which gave every child an opportunity to showcase his or her performance skills. The finished routines were performed with huge amounts of energy and enthusiasm. Well done to all of the children involved! It was a real privilege to be able to welcome the children to Downe House for our Day of Dance and we look forward to hosting many other such opportunities.
See the photos from the Day of Dance here
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