News | Recent competition winners and alumni news
Pictured: Olivia Philip (centre), Victoria Stansfield School of Dance alumnus
JUNE 2019, Stansfield student crowned Miss Dance of Great Britain 2019
Last night marked a momentous evening for the school as Grace Hawksworth (18) danced her heart out to scoop the most prestigious title in the International Dance Teachers Association competition Miss Dance 2019.
Having qualified in the Pershore heats in October 2018 performing Overture from Gypsy, Grace was delighted to qualify for the final and be supported by the school.
Blackpool’s Opera House hosted the annual event, with 57 performers taking part. Dancing last, Grace performed a stunning and emotive routine choreographed by Victoria Stansfield School of Dance’s Miss Adelle.
We are absolutely thrilled for Grace and wish her the very best in her next venture at the Urdang Academy, (London) where she will continue her training.
November 2018, stansfield students qualify for miss dance finals 2019
Huge congratulations to Grace Hawksworth and Kate Tomlinson who have successfully qualified for the Miss Dance of Great Britain Finals 2019 after successfully winning the regional heats.
Miss Dance of Great Britain is a long running theatre dance competition for girls, established and organised by the International Dance Teachers Association. The national finals are held annually at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England.
As always, the school will be excited to join the finalists in Blackpool to support the competitors.
September 2018, SCHOOL GIFT 'STAR' at wakefield theatre Royal
Vicki Stansfield has recently been awarded a sponsorship 'Star' at the Wakefield Theatre Royal. The 'Star', gifted to Vicki by friends, family and supporters of the school, will be displayed on the 'Wall of Fame' in the theatre's latest capital project - 'Centre for Creativity'.
"I feel very lucky to have such loyal and generous students, friends and supporters of the school. We're delighted to be championing the important development work currently taking place at the theatre. It has provided an inspirational platform for the past 25 years for so many of our students, and the star will represent our longstanding relationship with the theatre. I'd like to thank all contributors for gifting to the theatre in such a fitting way" Victoria Stansfield
The school will celebrate the installation of the sponsorship 'Star' on Monday 17th September at 7.30pm and invite all supporters to join them.
SEPTEMBER 2018, THEATRE CRAFT & Modern Jazz EXAMINATION RESULTS
Congratulations to Erin Greenwood, Grace Hawksworth, Anna Somerville, Kate Tomlinson and Hannah Wilson who recieved very high marks in their recent Intermediate Theatre Craft Examinations.
Special mentions to Darby Bramald with her Advanced 2 examination.
Congratulations to Anna Somerville and Hannah Wilson for their recent passes in Intermediate Modern Jazz. We’re also delighted for Darby Barmald, Grace Hawksworth and Kate Tomlinson who passed Pre-Assoicate with distinction.
June 2018, Theatre Award Nominations
Congratulations to Nominations Lexie Bramald, Lola Allison, Jemima Bennison, Erin Greenwood, Grace Hawksworth and Hannah Wilson who have all been nominated for a Theatre Award following their participation in recent examinations (Grade 4 Tap, Intermediate Ballet).
June 2018, Alumni NEWS
Victoria Stansfield School of Dance Alumni Student Bethany Gill has recently graduated from Renaissance Arts (Leeds) completing the three year dance diploma, and has now fully qualified with her Associate Ballet with 95 marks.
We're wishing Darby Bramald the best of luck on her next venture continuing her training at Doreen Birds (London) from September.
Also wishing well wishes to Hannah Wilson, who will continue her training in dance at Renaissance Arts (Leeds) from September.
June 2018, Ridings Festival Winner
Congratulation to Hannah Wilson who won the Senior North East of England modern Championship at the Ridings Festival.
June 2018, Miss Dance Finalists
We had a brilliant day at the Miss Dance Finals in Blackpool supporting Grace Hawksworth, Kate Tomlinson and Hannah Wilson who all performed beautifully. Kate Tomlinson successfully reached the final 12.
FEBRUARY 2018, STUDENT SUCCESS
Congratulations to Darby Bramald who has recently gained recalls at LIPA and London Studios.
And well done to Hannah Wilson who has successfully auditioned for Theatre Works, Blackpool and Renaissance Arts, Leeds.
DECEMBER 2017, Snow White TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Thursday, 22 March, 7.30pm, Friday, 23 March, 7.30pm Saturday, 24 March, 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Welcome to Victoria Stansfield’s biennial production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. A delightful adaptation of a classical story. Adventures of a young princess, a jealous queen, a dutiful huntsman and seven little miners.
Sit back and enjoy as the story unfolds with a combination of dance of various genres, drama and song. Fun and exciting entertainment for the whole family, beautifully staged and costumed.
December 2017, Exam Nominations
The school are delighted to announce six nominations following our most recent IDTA examinations.
Grade 5 Tap | Erin Greenwood, Grace Hawksworth & Kate Tomlinson
Grade 4 Ballet | Lexie Bramald, Harriet Greenwood & Megan Schofield
Congratulations to all participants.
NOVEMBER 2017, GRACE HAWKSWORTH Wins Miss Dance Heat
We're delighted to announce another student of the school is through to compete at the prestigious Miss Dance Finals in 2018. Huge congratulations to Grace Hawksworth who qualified at the Miss Dance Heat in Guiseley, Leeds on Sunday 5th November.
OcTOBER 2017, Kate Tomlinson Wins Elmete Miss Dance Heat
Congratulations to Kate Tomlinson who won the Elmete Miss Dance Heat on Saturday 21st October. We look forward to supporting Kate in the Miss Dance of Great Britain Final taking place in Blackpool next June.
OCTOBER 2017, Grace Hawksworth Wins tap at holme valley senior comp
Congratulations to Grace Hawksworth who won the tap championship at the Holme Valley Competition held on 7th October.
SEPTEMBER 2017, new baby class begins
Our new baby class for ages 3+ has now started. We are delighted to welcome eight adorable babies to the school.
SEPTEMBER 2017, Great success for the school at Castleford Comps
Congratulations to the participants of recent competitions in Castleford. Both weekends were hugely successful for the school and we're delighted for all those who came home with a trophy.
A Section | Isobel Hoggard
D Section | Lexie Bramald
F Section | Grace Hawksworth
Most Professional Performer | Darby Bramald
Most Promising Performer | Lexi Bramald
Novice Classical | Amelia Couch
Novice Cabaret | Mae Delany
Novice Classical Senior | Thushiga Karunanithy
Senior Trio | Grace Hawksworth, Kate Tomlinson, Hannah Wilson
Senior Cabaret Duet | Grace Hawksworth, Kate Tomlinson
Intermediate Trio | Emily Cartwright, Tilly France, Eve Hawksworth
Intermediate Cabaret Duet | Emily Cartwright, Tilly France
Open Groups | Pixie Workshop
Senior Troupes | He Lives In Me
Intermediate Troupes | Truly Scrumptious
And many congratulations to Grace Hawksworth who also won the tap championship. Well done to all for such fabulous results.
AUGUST 2017, THEATRE CRAFT NOMINATIONS
Congratulations to Darby Bramald and Mackenzie Smart who have been nominated for their recent advanced 1 Theatre Craft examination. Both Darby and Mackenzie were nominated earlier in the year for Modern Jazz alongside Jemma Bennison and Grace Hawksworth. They will compete with other nominated students from England and abroad at the annual event in February 2018.
July 2017, bird college acceptance
Congratulations to Mackenzie Smart in gaining a place at the prestigious Bird College commencing in September. Wishing her the best of luck in her new chapter.
JULY 2017, FIRST MISS DANCE HEAT WINNER
Congratulations to Hannah Wilson for qualifying at the first heat for Miss Dance 2018. Hannah is 15 and this was her first heat.
June 2017, Alumni on broadway
Olivia Philip has landed a leading part in the hit musical Frozen to be staged on Broadway in November 2018. Olivia's previous feats include three West End Musicals and The Waitress on Broadway.
JUNE 2017, MISS DANCE OF GREAT BRITAIN FINALISTs
We're delighted three of our pupils made the final of this year's most presitgious IDTA national dance competition, Miss Dance. Congratulations to Darby Bramald, Bethany Gill and Mackenzie Smart.
Previous Miss Dance finalists from the school include:
Alison Hewitt (Ally Greenwood), Nicola Clifford (Nikki Stocker), Rachel Vollands, Anna Vollands, Kathryn Hargreaves (X3 finalist), Sophie Beardsell (X2 finalist), Philip Tunstall (Dance Master), Francesca Kirk (X3 finalist), Bethany Gill (X3 finalist), Darby Bramald (X2 finalist), Mackenzie Smart.
JUNE 2017, ALUMNI STUDENT MAKES HEAD GIRL ON FOURTH CRUISE TOUR
Congratulations to Sophie Beardsell who has been made head girl on her latest cruise tour with P&O's Aurora. Sophie started dancing at Vicki’s at the age of 8 and continued attending classes until she reached 18 and had to leave to begin a 3 year vocational training course at Phil Winston’s Theatre Works. Here, together with continued support from Vicki, Sophie passed her IDTA Modern Jazz Associate exam with a Distinction. During this time she also danced in the ‘High Jinx Magic Show’ at Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach and performed in the BBC pilot show ‘Insinc” starring Davina McCall. Following her graduation from college Sophie successfully auditioned for Headliners Theatre Company and secured two consecutive contracts as a Dancer on the P&O Cruise Ship “Oceana”. With her third contract on the P&O ship “Oriana’ Sophie was promoted to Singer/Dancer.
Her fourth contract on the “Aurora” brought further promotion to Company Manager working with Ruthie Henshall and her production company, Three Pins Productions Ltd, to create a new show for the ship and it’s passengers. She is currently sailing around the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Russia, U.S.A and Canada.