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Welcome to part 2 of our Ambassador's yearly review! What did our Ambassadors get up to this year?
Our sparkling star Poppy has been lighting up stages and screens all year! Let’s pop off about her achievements:
– Awarded bronze in junior character trio at All England’s 🥉
– Awarded silver with Freedom in intermediate musical theatre large group 🥈
– Struck a pose at our latest photoshoot launch 📸
– Made waves on BBC News alongside @tiredstacey2020 for Shades!!!
– Danced her heart out at AED semis and grand finals 🌟
– Gearing up for an electrifying show in Feb 2025 🎭
– Cooking up fresh moves for the next festival season 💃
From All England’s to the BBC, Poppy’s proving she’s a true triple threat! We can’t wait to see what show-stopping surprises our superstar will pop out next!
Francesca had a whirlwind of a year and she’s eager to share her journey with you all. So, in Francesca’s own words, let’s see what she got up to:
I’m so excited to share my incredible dance season with you all! It’s been such an amazing journey, and I’m so proud of everything I’ve achieved. I’ve travelled to so many places, met so many new people, and learned so much along the way!
My season started as a Royal Ballet first year Junior Associate, and I just started back for my second year this weekend! My favourite award last season was being named Most Promising Dancer. Performing with the Midland Theatre Ballet Company was an incredible experience, and I can’t wait to do it again! I also qualified in 17 routines for the All England Dance Finals, 9 in the grand finals and 3 routines for the Dance World Cup, which was a huge achievement for me!
I made it to the finals of the ISTD ballet awards and the Janet Cram awards, and I passed my dance exams with distinction! But the moment that I’m most proud of was coming first at the All England Dance Home Counties Regional Finals. It was such an unforgettable experience, and I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve had.
Josiah has been crushing it this year! From his professional pantomime debut as ‘John’ in Peter Pan to stealing the show at Move It for Shades Dancewear, he’s been unstoppable.
At his new dance school, Josiah snagged the Junior Tap Award and Most Potential Junior Street/Commercial Award. He’s been expanding his repertoire with new dance styles and performing arts classes.
Competition stages? Owned them! With top 3 placements and Judges Choice Awards under his belt. West End? He’s knocking on that door, making it to finals for one show!
Between dance photoshoots and the Fit The Mould residential camp with international choreographers, Josiah’s been busy! And let’s not forget his finalist spot for Junior Tap Solo at the first Dance Awards.
Josiah, you’re on fire!
Mia-Mai has been through an amazing year, leaving a trail of stardust wherever she goes:
• Dazzled at dance festivals with her Modern, Lyrical, Commercial, and Acro solos 💃
• Debuted her ballet solo, shining bright in her Shades Dancewear socks and shoes 😊
• Rocked the stage with her Commercial duet alongside Dance Pointe Essex 👯♀️
• Snagged spots in not one, but TWO associate programmes 🌟
• Qualified for Street Dance international finals with AA Dance 🏆
• Crowned Dancer of Dancer in U12 across Street, Fast, and Slow styles at a freestyle festival 👑
• Lit up the stage in TWO pantos – Easter’s Aladdin and Summer’s Wizard of Oz 🎭
• Became a Shades Dancewear Ambassador, inspiring dancers to embrace their unique beauty 🤍🤎🖤
From festivals to pantos, solos to duets, Mia-Mia’s proving she can do it all! With her talent, dedication, and radiant confidence, she’s not just following the yellow brick road – she’s paving it with her own golden stars ✨
Let’s dive into Carter’s adventures:
• Kept those dancing feet moving with continued dance lessons 🕺
• Struck a pose so fierce, his model shoot photo snagged a highly commended award from the Societies of Photographers 📸
• Made a splash by conquering his swimming booster course – now freestyling solo like a champ! 🏊♂️
• Rolled into new skills with a fresh scooter and some skate park action 🛴
• Bounced his way to basketball brilliance 🏀
• Had a family fun day at Drayton Manor – thrills and spills galore! 🎢
Carter’s proving he’s a true all-rounder with his energy and enthusiasm as boundless as a summer day!
Sofia just danced her way into the history books! 🏆🏆
• Crowned All England Champion in not one, but TWO categories:
Character & Narrative – with an Honours Star score! 👑
• Jazzed it up with a PERFECT 30/30 score in Jazz/Modern 💯
• Snatched the Junior Jazz Award 🎷
With talent this bright, we might need sunglasses to watch her next performance! ✨
Henry’s highlight of the year has included lighting up stages and our television screens 📺 ✨
Getting Bruno’s golden buzzer on Britains Got Talent with The Phoenix Boys, and performing in the live semi finals at the Hammersmith Apollo was an amazing experience for him. 🕺🏼
Performing their dance for Car Fest in front of 35,000 people and meeting Chris Evans, Sam Ryder and Olly Murs has got to be up there too! 👀
He also gained distinction in his latest Ballet and Modern exams at Rollo Academy of Performing Arts where he loves dancing with his friends.
Your passion for dance is shining through Henry and we’re so proud of your incredible journey, here’s to many more memories!
Ruby’s Athletic Year 🏅
From stage to track, our Shades ambassador @rubyrae_dance has been leaving her mark everywhere:
– Snagged an honours medal at AED semi-finals for her contemporary solo 🏅
– Twirled away with the modern cup at Luton Festival of Dance 🏆
– Strutting her stuff as a model for Urban Angels 📸
– Leapt to 2nd place in School Athletics high jump (1m.55!) and sprinted to 3rd in 200m 🏃♀️
– Selected to perform her modern solo at the prestigious Rene Myrtle award, Ealing Festival 🌟
– Crowned ‘Most Promising Senior Dancer’ at Ealing Festival 👑
– Spent summer perfecting new tricks in the garden.
– Brought joy through dance at a residential home for entertainment industry veterans 💖
From honours’ medals to high jumps, Ruby’s proving she’s a true all-rounder with a heart of gold. Her passion shines whether she’s on stage, on track, or brightening someone’s day 👏🏽
Find us @shadesdancewear 🤎
Written and designed by Daniel Taylor
