In an exciting turn of events, the talented young dancers of Freedom Performing Arts are gearing up to showcase their skills on the global stage once again. The Knaresborough-based dance school has been selected to represent England at the prestigious Dance World Cup for the second consecutive year, following their impressive sixth-place finish in Prague last year.
With an impressive showing against 5,000 dancers from 65 countries, the group, led by the dedicated founder Amy Meikle, is now setting their sights on the upcoming competition in Burgos, Spain this July. Reflecting on their unexpected success last year, Meikle shared, “We didn’t even expect to qualify last year, let alone get sixth in the world. It gave us that little bit of confidence that maybe we could do this again.”
This year, Freedom Performing Arts is upping the ante, with plans to showcase 10 captivating routines featuring 41 talented dancers across two age groups. Founded by Meikle in 2010, the dance school has been a beacon of creativity and expression for children aged 3-18, offering a range of classes to nurture their passion for dance.
However, the road to World Cup triumph is not without its challenges. The dedicated dancers have embarked on a fundraising mission to cover the substantial costs of flights, accommodation, and costumes for the upcoming competition. Having already spent £20,000 on last year’s trip for 22 dancers, the team is now aiming to raise £40,000 to ensure that all parents can afford to support their children’s dreams of competing on the global stage.
With donations pouring in from generous sponsors, raffles, bake sales, and community events, the dancers are rallying together to make their dreams a reality. Meikle emphasized the importance of providing this opportunity to her students, stating, “It’s incredible to give them that opportunity and see them up there. Anyone who can help would be amazing; we are looking for sponsorship.”
As the excitement builds and the dancers prepare to dazzle audiences with their exceptional talent, the community rallies behind them in support. From the picturesque town of Knaresborough to beyond, the spirit of unity and determination shines brightly as Freedom Performing Arts pursues their dream of World Cup glory.
For those eager to follow the journey of these remarkable young dancers, tune in to the latest updates on BBC Sounds, catch up with the inspiring stories on Look North, or share your own tales of local heroes making waves on the international stage.
Stay tuned as Freedom Performing Arts embarks on their quest for World Cup triumph, showcasing the power of passion, dedication, and unity in the world of dance.
