On the 3rd June over 250 young people from across the Embark Federation came together for what can only be described as an unforgettable celebration of dance, creativity and community.
Now in its third year, the Embark Dance Festival welcomed 16 schools from across our family of schools, bringing together children and young people of all ages, abilities and dance experiences to perform, learn and celebrate alongside one another.
The festival featured far more than 16 performances, with schools showcasing an incredible range of group dances, solos, duets and quartets. From contemporary and lyrical pieces to street dance, musical theatre and commercial styles, every performance brought something unique to the stage. The standard throughout the day was exceptional, but what stood out most was the enthusiasm, support and encouragement shown by every participant.
Some of the young people who performed only dance within school settings, rehearsing during lessons, lunchtime clubs and breaktimes. Others attend dance classes outside of school and live and breathe dance every day. Despite the wide range of experience, the atmosphere throughout the event was one of complete inclusivity, respect and appreciation for one another’s talents.
This year’s festival introduced an exciting new element, with three professional dancers and choreographers joining us as guest judges. Their positive and constructive feedback for every performance added a new dimension to the event and gave participants valuable insight from professionals working within the dance industry.
We were thrilled to welcome Maddie Brooks-Brown, whose captivating performance demonstrated immense skill, artistry and professionalism. Ellie Kingsley wowed the audience with her incredible hip-hop, street and commercial dance expertise, while choreographer Matt Wesley delivered a fantastic Fosse-inspired routine that showcased the creativity and versatility of dance performance.
Not only did our guest professionals perform, but they also taught choreography workshops throughout the day. It was inspiring to see our young people embrace every challenge and pick up new routines with such enthusiasm and confidence.
A special mention must go to Kristian Cunningham from KTCo, who was our fantastic host for the day. Kristian’s infectious energy, humour and passion for supporting young people helped make the festival even more memorable. His ability to engage every child in the room created an atmosphere that was uplifting, exciting and full of positivity from start to finish.
We were also delighted to welcome Theresa Peltier, one of our Embark Trustees. Theresa was instrumental in helping to bring the original vision for the Dance Festival to life and has supported the event every year since its inception. Reflecting on the day, Theresa shared a quote that perfectly captured the spirit of the festival:
“We dance to feel, we dance to heal.”
Looking around the Sports Hall, it was difficult to find anyone who wasn’t smiling.
The festival also featured outstanding solo performances, including those from KTCo students Fliss and Grace, whose talent, stage presence and technical ability left a lasting impression on everyone watching. We also witnessed several performances choreographed by the young people themselves. The creativity, commitment and confidence shown by these students was truly inspirational and a reminder of just how much talent exists across our schools.
At Embark, we are passionate about providing opportunities that broaden horizons, raise aspirations and allow young people to discover what they are capable of achieving. Events like the Dance Festival give children experiences they may not ordinarily access within school and help them to see that there are many exciting pathways available to them in the future.
Just as importantly, the festival provides an opportunity for children from across our 16 participating schools to come together as part of the wider Embark family. Friendships are formed, confidence grows, and young people leave with a stronger sense of belonging to something bigger than their own school community.
None of this would have been possible without the support of Burhouse Construction, whose generous bursary sponsorship enabled us to deliver this incredible event. We are enormously grateful for their commitment to supporting opportunities for our young people.
We would also like to thank the amazing teachers and support staff from across our schools. Behind every performance were hours of rehearsals, encouragement, organisation and dedication. Their commitment helped create a truly special experience for every child involved.
Whether this was a young person’s very first time performing in front of a large audience or their third year attending the festival, every participant contributed something special to the day. We could not be prouder of each and every one of them.
If we could bottle the atmosphere from yesterday, we would. The positivity, encouragement, creativity and joy in the room were extraordinary.
The Embark Dance Festival continues to grow bigger and better each year, and after such a fantastic day, we are already looking forward to next year’s celebration.