Press Release: Young dancers from London battle it out at dance event celebrating 50 years of hip-hop

[Jan McNulty]

 

PRESS RELEASE 29/01/2024

ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE

 

Local dancers from London took to the stage for Step into Dance’s Battle 2024

 

Battle is an annual event by Step into Dance, a Royal Academy of Dance programme in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation

 

Image by Marble and Sky.

 

On Saturday 27 January 2024 young dancers from London participated in Battle, an energetic and dynamic hip hop dance event organised by Step into Dance.

 

Battle is an annual celebration of hip hop dance organised by Step into Dance, the UK’s largest inclusive dance programme run by the Royal Academy of Dance and funded by the Jack Petchey Foundation, which is celebrating its 25^th anniversary. The event provides the opportunity for young dancers to come together and share their passion for dance, all the while battling it out in front of their friends and a rapturous audience.

This year’s high energy event took place at Old Town Hall in Stratford London, where dancers from around London took part in a day of workshops and showcases.

 

Young dancers also participated in 1v1, 2v2 and crew dance battles to be crowned champions. All battles were performed in front of a judging panel featuring Bgirl Roxy, Chris Alozie and previous Battle winner, Caine Harrison.

 

Winners of the 1v1, 2v2 and crew dance battles included:

• 1v1 Beginner: Malakhi Best, Age 17 (City & Islington College), Islington
• 1v1 Experienced: Mia Wisniewska, Age 15 (The Norwood School), Lambeth
• 1v1 External: Tyler Alexis-Ward, Age 15 (Xpression Dance), South London

 

2v2 Beginner:

• Jereil Boateng (Age 13, Woodcote High School) and Nicole Jarvis (Age 13, Woodcote High School), Croydon

 

2v2 Experienced:

• Emre Djemal (Age 15, Frederick Bremer School in Waltham Forest) and Tamia Jordan (Age 17, Richmond Upon Thames College)

 

2v2 External:

• Lil P’Nut (Cold Collective) and Isiah Samuel

 

All Style Crews

• Hendon School (Ages 11 - 14), Barnet

 

Other Local schools performing in the showcases included:

• City and Islington College
• Forest Hill School
• Hendon School
• Praxis Dance Company, Uxbridge College.

 

Audience members were also treated to two performances; one by an emerging young rap artist and the second by RAD’s youth dance company, SYNC. The piece was entitled Punctuation and was choreographed by Step into Dance practitioner, Nathan Mafwa.

 

This year’s Battle marked an extra special celebration as it commemorated 50 years of hip hop, along with Breaking becoming a sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics.   

 

Tim Arthur Chief Executive of the RAD said: “Step into Dance’s Battle event raises the roof every single year – and this year was no exception. What a delight it was to see so many young dancers from across London come together to celebrate the joy and wonder of dance. Congratulations to everyone who took part in this truly fantastic event.”

Gemma Juma, Chief Executive of Jack Petchey Foundation said: “The talent and sense of community from these Breakers is incredible. Year after year, young people show what they can achieve with hard work, commitment and determination. The Battle shows how much fun young people can have along the way!”

 

Maja, a Youth Consultation Panel member of the Jack Petchey Foundation, said: “These young performers were brilliant, talented and inspiring. What a great day of showing off their skills.”

 

To find out more about Step into Dance watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t_lH8mVC74.

                                                       

 

Notes to Editors

Step into Dance

Delivered by professional dance practitioners and artists, Step into Dance supports the general wellbeing and healthy development of young people, and enables them to develop knowledge, techniques, and experiences in dance, as well as acquiring personal skills that transfer to being successful in whatever their future lives may hold.

 

The main objective of the Step into Dance programme continues to be to reach as many young people as possible in the London and Essex regions through regular dance sessions in schools, creating opportunities for youth to connect to dance, and reaching young people that might not otherwise have this possibility.

 

Step into Dance is a Royal Academy of Dance programme in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation

 

www.royalacademyofdance.org/step-into-dance

 

Royal Academy of Dance

Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the most influential dance education and training organisations in the world with a strong global membership in 85 countries.

 

Established in 1920 to improve standards and re-invigorate dance training, the Academy helps and encourages its teachers to perfect their teaching skills and pass on this knowledge to their students. There are currently over 1,000 students in full-time or part-time teacher training programmes with the Academy and each year the examination syllabus is taught to thousands of young people worldwide, with around a quarter of a million pupils per year going on to take RAD exams.

www.royalacademyofdance.org

 

Jack Petchey Foundation

Established in 1999, The Jack Petchey Foundation gives grants to programmes and projects that benefit young people aged 11-25, focusing on London and Essex. The Foundation exists to raise the aspirations of young people, to help them take advantage of opportunities and play a full part in society. Since it has been established, the Foundation has awarded grants totalling over £150 million.

www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk