A wave of pride has swept through a Sunderland dance school after a group of students took to the stage in Disneyland Paris.

Twenty-eight dancers from the Sophie Doneathy School of Dance, in Sunniside, Sunderland, travelled to Disneyland Paris, in France, to perform on stage in what has been described as “like something out of a fairytale”.

The group of girls, aged six to 20, travelled to the theme park with their families after spending more than a year preparing for the event, which was part of the Disney Performing Arts OnStage programme.

Every year, hundreds of amateur dancers take to the stage in Disneyland Paris as part of the programme, enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience and discovering what it is like to be a Disney performer for the day.

Twenty-eight dancers from the Sophie Doneathy School of Dance travelled to Disneyland Paris to perform on stage as part of the Disney Performing Arts OnStage programme.

placeholder image — Twenty-eight dancers from the Sophie Doneathy School of Dance travelled to Disneyland Paris to perform on stage as part of the Disney Performing Arts OnStage programme.

Founder of Sophie Doneathy School of Dance, Sophie Doneathy, said: “This trip was our fourth time taking dancers to perform in Disneyland Paris, our first trip being in 2019.

"We saw the trip advertised online and decided to just give it a go.”

The dancers did a 20-minute performance in commercial jazz, lyrical and modern stage dancing.

Sophie said: “Myself and our other teacher Helen (Branton Tate) watch the routine on monitor backstage, but after the girls finish the performance, the feeling of pride is overwhelming – and also a sadness that it’s over, which is why we’ve been back four times so far and are planning a 2028 trip.”

The group of girls, aged six to 20, travelled to the theme park with their families after spending more than a year preparing for the event.

One proud parent, Stella Watchman, said: “For many of the dancers, stepping onto a Disney stage felt like something out of a fairytale.

"The excitement, the lights, the audience and the magic of Disney combined to create a moment they will never forget.

“Training for such a high-profile performance required commitment, discipline and countless hours in the studio.

"The dancers balanced school, family life and rehearsals, all driven by the shared goal of representing their hometown on an international stage.”

She added: “For the Sophie Doneathy School of Dance, the Disney performance marks another milestone in their growing reputation for excellence.

"For the dancers, it’s a memory that will stay with them forever – a reminder that with passion and perseverance, even the biggest stages are within reach.”