Broadway Dinner Dance

Friday the 24th of January 2020 saw us start our fundraising journey for the Remain Nameless Street crew and their chosen charity of Leukaemia UK. Held at Farnham Golf Club, The Sands, 102 people attended our first ever dinner dance where there was a three course meal, with three different choices per course, Latin, Ballroom, Street and Freestyle demonstrations, Raffle, auction, licensed bar and music provided by DJ Paul.

The evening started with a welcome to our guest of honours, Teiva, Dawn and Piers Collins and a welcome drink for all guests and then as they took to their seats, the meals were promptly served whilst music was played for extra ambience. 

Once all courses were cleared and space within the main room, Daniel Ettridge and Phoebe Draper, both 13-year-oldjuvenile champions and 7th in the world put on a wonderful display of Tango, Waltz, Jive, Cha Cha Cha and Rumba. Choreographed and trained by good friend Linda Bellinger, they travelled from Southampton and performed beautifully and became one of the most talked about highlights of the night. 

Representing the Remain Nameless Team were 13 dancers from the crew, who performed a 7-minute medley to the captivated audience and added a different vibe to the demonstrations doing what they do best and with only half hour of preparation.

As the raffle was drawn and auction completed, the night continued through to midnight with dancing, laughter, and music and everyone appeared to have a wonderful time. Bring on the Summer Ball.

It was lovely to see everyone in their finery and socialise together to work towards Remain Nameless 18-month fundraising journey to reach £20,000. To keep up to date with the progress the team are making please follow their Instagram page ‘remainnameles12’ or visit their website ‘www.remainnamless.net’. They are on a mission specially to help raise funds for Leukaemia UK a charity close to their hearts as well as towards their own development funding. Please keep up to date with future fundraising projects.

Remain Nameless Achievements

2018/2019

Competitions

After a success in Street qualifiers 2017 we travelled back up North to the Nationals in 2018 where our competitors made it through to semis and finals in various categories with various placings. Notably, Max Anderson became national solo champion in his category and national doubles champion with his duo partner Samuel Terry. They were the youngest in their category.

2018 saw RN with a bigger squad hit the qualifiers again. This time both teams XLR8 and Remain Nameless placed 1st in their categories and qualified to represent South East Area in the Nationals 2019. Various other soloists, pairs and quads placed in finals to secure their place at the Nationals too. Stoke 2019 saw Max Anderson become National Solo Champion again and Pairs Champion with Samuel Terry for a second year in a row and they both placed 4th in quads alongside Emily Burr and Molly Knight. Samuel Terry also placed in solos alongside Chloe Cooles who reached every final in her age category coming 6th in her pairs with her partner Madison Callan, 6th in solo and 5th in quads with Mia Hayes and Freya Lee. George Hardey and Emily Burr placed 3rd in pairs for their category. Remain Nameless team placed 3rd in their first ever National Comp together and XLR8 became National Champions once again.

DISNEYLAND PARIS 2019

After successfully auditioning for a 20 minute performance slot through Take Us 2 The Magic performance platform, 21 members of RN travelled to DisneyLand Paris in April 2019 to fulfil one of Keely and Stacey’s long time dreams. After months of rehearsals, blood, sweat and tears the day had finally arrived to settle down in the Hotel Cheyenne for a life changing experience. Alongside family members and friends the troupe explored both parks, took advantage of the amusements, watched the firework spectacular, had breakfast with Disney characters, absorbed the Parade and this was all on the first full day!

Performance day arrived and fully dressed in uniform, we were greeted by David our Take Us 2 The Magic co-ordinator and introduced to the Disney Performing Arts team. Taken to the Videopolis Theatre in a bid to block out our pieces on stage and view our dressing rooms, we were then released back into the park for an hour of fun before Showtime. The performance attracted an international audience of around 3,000 people and ran smoothly from start to finish with the adrenaline and support from both performers and their family spectators. The sheer delight on everyone’s face was overwhelming and definitely the reason we would consider repeating this opportunity.

Freestyle Friendly Competition Southampton 27th October 2019

The Freestyle team of 12, this time travelled to Southampton to compete in friendly Freestyle competition held by DM Dance centre. They again went for the experience of competing in the circuit against other schools, this time not only just in freestyle, but street dance as well. The day was well received with individuals winning numerous placed trophies.

Freestyle pairs- in their categories

Emily Burr and Alisha Bryan placed 5th

Emily McGuinnity and Keira Hopkins placed 3rd

Hollie Savage and Danell Purdue placed 2nd

Street pairs- in their categories

Danell Purdue and Chloe Cooles placed 4th

Keira Hopkins and Maizy Baber placed 3rd

Jinny Leybourne and Hollie Savage placed 3rd

Street Solos- in their categories

Tallulah Ayling placed 8th

Danell Purdue placed 6th

Chloe Cooles placed 5th

George Hardey placed 4th

Freestyle Friendly Competition – 22nd of September 2019

A brand-new Freestyle team of 12, travelled up to Essex on the morning of Sunday the 22nd of September to compete at the Anderson Dance School friendly competition. Competing against not only National Champions but amongst 10 other dance schools, the team partook in this experience to see what the Freestyle circuit was all about. Albeit a bit daunting, due to the extremely high standards produced, the team held their own by competing in all rounds with some call backs to semi-finals. The team placed third and looked fantastic with their ambition and passion and the rock n roll rounds were thoroughly enjoyed proving that this new team had a family spirit. Stacey and I were so proud of every member who through determination embraced the competitive circuit and through this sheer experience gained knowledge on what to expect for future competitions. Bring it on!

Fusion Dance Academies Achievements - Feb to May

Sunday 3rd February 2019: London Seminar Lancaster Gate

After a successful lecture at the AGM in Addlestone Samantha Smith was asked to lecture in Slow Freestyle in the Ballroom Lectures in front of examiners and fellow IDTA Teachers. This being a year after Stacey’s first big lecture at the same venue in 2018, it proved successful and was supported by 6 fellow Fusion teachers and Principals. The day was well spent learning from other professionals, mingling and networking with fellow dance schools and observing another wonderful cabaret with canapes and refreshments. A true team building event that Fusion Dance Academies will continue to support in future.

Sunday 10th March 2019: PRO Workshop Day for Amateurs

This saw the beginning of a new concept that we as a dance school are looking to offer to various dance schools in the local areas every 18 months. Joined by fellow IDTA Schools Simply Dance and Footsteps we enjoyed a day of lectures in varying styles. The day was commenced with a warm up and stamina training session with Aldershot Boxing Club and followed by an Argentine Tango with Youlie Mouzafiarova and her husband David. Lisa Handley from Manchester drove down with her student Mia and conducted lectures in Musical Theatre and Commercial. Yvonne Saunders, Board of Director hosted a Samba Lecture which was then followed by Salsa with James Montgomery and Louise Usher. The day was well received with positive reviews and we are grateful for our friends within the IDTA to help accommodate this opportunity for our students.

Sunday 17th March 2019: London Show at The Shaftesbury Theatre

15 students from across Basingstoke and Aldershot came together to perform in the Young Performers Variety Show held at Shaftesbury Theatre. With students aged from 7 to 21 years Fusion decided to offer the opportunity to perform on a West End Stage 5 years after the last time they did so. A team of dedicated, motivated and small group of the Fusion family saw the guys perform two 5 minute pieces in front of other dance schools from across the country and their families. They performed an Ariana Grande Medley and also honoured the Barn Dance from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. All the hard work paid off and they shone bright whilst owning the stage.

Saturday 11th May 2019: Freestyle Scholarships Birmingham

After being successfully nominated in the 2018 dance exams Fusion Dance Academies had 9 nominations. With two unable to compete the remaining 7 and teachers travelled to Birmingham to take part in one of the most efficiently run competitions competing against other nominees in their designated age categories. Choreographer Andrew Chadwick took each group through their paces with some innovative choreography and it was an amazing experience for all. As a team Fusion held their own with Group B seeing George Hardey and Chloe Cooles progress through to Semi Finals with Chloe achieving the Anna Jones Award for outstanding potential. Group D saw Hannah Arbury progressing all the way through to the finals and placing 4th. A massive well done to all of our students Molly Knight, Emily Burr, Hannah Arbury, Jinny Leybourne, George Hardey, Chloe Cooles, Hollie Savage, Ciaron Cooney and Jodie Upton.

On another note in relation to Scholarship nominations a massive congratulations to Hannah Arbury who was also nominated for Ballet Scholarships but was unable to participate due to her age. Still however a huge achievement.

Sunday 12th May 2019: Freestyle Seminar

After a successful but tiring day at the Scholarships Stacey and Sam took four of our pupils to take part in lectures the following day which were taken by fellow choreographers and IDTA teachers. Jinny Leybourne, Hollie Savage, Emily Burr and Molly Knight took part in every lecture that was offered that day for the amateurs. Stacey and Sam took part in the professional lectures that day to gain some new ideas from fellow teachers. It was a great day had by all and we look forward to attending more in the future.

Tesco Performance

To finish off the year of displays and performances a small group of dancers from Remain Nameless put a short performance together to perform at Tescos Aldershot in aid of their Dance Beats Fundraiser raising money for Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK.

Tesco Superstores around the country took part and we were proud to be apart of our local store.

Thank you to all friends and family who came to support and well done to all who took part.

Fusion Dance Charity

Aldershot, Tesco Superstore