Press Release: Dance stars from the UK, US, Europe & Australia judge creativity competition to help students through lockdown

[Jan McNulty]

PRESS RELEASE For immediate release — 7/12/2020

Photos: InterTalent Group,  RiRi Productions, Spirit YPC, Snooty Fox Images, Ian Whalen, Camilla Greenwell Dance stars from the UK, US, Europe & Australia judge creativity competition to help students through lockdown To counter the negative impact of lockdown on the psychological and emotional state of young people, dance stars from the UK, US, Europe, and Australia have come together to judge a creative competition:   Cynthia Harvey, Artistic Director of the American Ballet Theatre School and former ABT and Royal Ballet Principal Alexzandra Sarmiento, Dance Captain for the West End Hamilton Steven McRae, Royal Ballet Principal Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, Choreographer of Six the Musical Liam Francis, Rambert Principal Tommy Franzen, Choreographer for Strictly Come Dancing and bbodance alumnus Hosted by bbodance, the online competition is open to all non-professional dancers of any age and ability. The organisation's previous competition, held this summer, engaged more than 150 students from seven countries and resulted in a choreographic film about their experience. "Your competition was just what my daughter needed. Lockdown has been the first time she's struggled with her confidence, motivation, and inspiration. As a parent, it’s been quite worrying. It’s been so uplifting for us to see her creating, choreographing, and having the confidence to dance again," one parent said. The dance film was available on the NHS mental health app, MeeTwo, a safe place where teens discuss their challenges. A 90-year-old organisation, bbodance has moved its entire educational offering online to help students through lockdown.   — ENDS —   About bbodance Founded in 1930 by Edouard Espinosa and formerly known as the British Ballet Organization (BBO), bbodance is an international dance awarding organisation with a large membership in the UK and Australasia. bbodance provides Ofqual-recognised syllabi and examinations in Musical Theatre, Jazz, Contemporary, Classical Ballet, Modern, and Tap, as well as teacher training and inspiring events. bbodance Patrons include Strictly Come Dancing Judge, Craig Revel Horwood, former Artistic Director of Rambert, Mark Baldwin OBE, and Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal, Brandon Lawrence, a former bbodance Scholar.