Lockdown has been a challenging time for many but at Rebekah’s Dance School we have managed to keep busy with over 1000 classes on zoom from March 2020.
As the country went into Lockdown on March 20th so Rebekah’s Dance School immediately went to online classes from Monday 23rd March continuing students dance training. To help parents out during this time Rebekah’s Dance School offered all students five weeks FREE classes from April – May having both morning and evening classes available. This was enabling children to keep active and add structure to their lives whilst being home schooled. Zoom classes proved to be very popular with both students and adults. The School was able to offer a full timetable of ISTD Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and Acro as well as a stretch and conditioning class. Adults also continued with their classes in Ballet and Tap. Whilst this was a challenging time for both students and their parents with limited space in their homes everyone found a space be it kitchen, living room or bedroom. The students at RDS have shown amazing commitment to their online lessons even with some parents converting garden sheds Into a dance space!
Pictured Above: Bella, Photography by Rolf Evans
With the country getting back to some normality RDS were able to do some socially distanced outdoor lesson for six children per class. These proved very popular with everyone especially with the great weather we had. It was great fun! RDS was able to resume classes from the beginning of September in The Briars Centre, Lightwater & Martin’s Heron Community Centre in Bracknell ensuring that the school was COVID safe with Risk Assessments and procedures put in place with social distanced dancing. This was an exciting time for students to be back in the studio dancing with their friends. With lots of help from parents to ensure everyone stayed safe.
Many dance challenges were given to the students every month with a prize for the best entry. From dance photo competitions to choreographic competitions which proved to be very popular. Since March many dance competitions have taken place online within the UK and Internationally keeping the RDS competition team busy. The Results have been amazing for all students that have participated.
Pictured Above: Holly, Photography by Rolf Evans
Achievements: 75 Gold Medals, 53 silver Medals, 29 Bronze medals and 5 Trophy’s.
Four students gained places in the ‘Southern Dance Awards’ Final achieving 4th and 5th places
(Bella Culshaw, Ruby Culshaw, Holly Davies and Eilidh Matthews).
Eilidh Matthews gain 1st place with her Ballet Solo in the ‘Ultimate Dance Showcase’.
Ruby Culshaw also became a finalist in the ‘UK Dance Class Championships’.
RDS was lucky enough to have four students reach the ISTD Junior Ballet Awards Final. Well done to Bella Culshaw, Holly Davies, Freya Eves and Nika Radnejad.
Two students from RDS auditioned for the ‘Royal Ballet Junior Associates programme’. Congratulations to Bella Culshaw for gaining a place on the Junior Associate programme and also to Holly Davies who was excepted on to the New ‘Royal Ballet Junior Engagement Programme’. The school is very proud of both students as this is an amazing opportunity for them.
It has been an experience for all teachers at the school adapting to our new way of teaching online lessons but it has been a great way to keep Rebekah’s Dance School community dancing together through these uncertain times.
Stay Safe | Rebekah’s Dance School - Principal Rebecca Ward | BA Hons Dance, ISTD DDE Ballet, Tap, Modern, Acrobatic Arts Syllabus
Email: missbecky@rebekahsdanceschool.co.uk Phone: 07966579829