Sunderland tappers to perform at UK's biggest dance show

Dancers from the Caroline Oliver School of Dance, The Lakeside, Sunderland, who are taking part in a dance championship contest in London, l-r are Ruby Wootton (12) Beth Carney (11) Beth Fletcher 13) and Paige Dodd (14)

Five girls, aged 11-16, from The Caroline Oliver School of Dance, will be performing for a star-studded panel at the Move It dance exhibition at The Excel, which takes place from March 10-12.

They’ll be out to impress the panel, which includes Arlene Phillips CBE, Jennifer Ellison, Marlon “SWOOSH” Wallen of Flawless fame and Jonny Labey, who most recently won the ITV primetime show, Dance, Dance, Dance.

Dancers from the Caroline Oliver School of Dance who are taking part in a dance championship contest in London, l-r are Ruby Wootton (12) Beth Carney (11) Beth Fletcher 13) and Paige Dodd (14)

Caroline Oliver, who has been teaching dance for over 20 years in Sunderland, said: “All the team are ecstatic for this fabulous opportunity. They have worked very hard on the routine we are taking with us and everyone has pulled together to organise props, costumes and rehearsals to make this happen. I’m extremely proud of all the team”.

Laura Binyon, who assists Caroline and who was once taught too by her, added: “It’s fantastic for a local dance school to have this opportunity. This alone means the world to myself and Caroline, as well as all of the students and parents.

“The continuous support and encouragement from everyone has really helped develop the girls’ confidence to not only perfect the tap routine, but to enjoy the experience and opportunity they have been given.”

The Move It exhibition features more than 24,500 dancers over three days with a multitude of workshops, classes, performances, career advice, celebrities and shopping.

The 30 strong group from the school, some of which attended the exhibition last year, will be attending several workshops of different dance genres over the two days as well as taking in a West End show.