1st Position takes centre stage at Covent Garden with each and everyone of the 225 Royal Ballet School students performing at their annual school performance receiving a well done and thank you goodie bag.   

IDS pictured the two lead dancers in The Lilac Garden, Angela Wood and William Bracewell who will join ENB and BRB respectively.  Wayne Sleep who was IDS’s guest at the performance was thrilled with the show spotting his favourites to look out for in next year’s performance.

Yesterday was the annual school performance at Covent Garden London. A packed house enjoyed some wonderful dancing. It is hard to remember these are just students when you are watching their high standards.

IDS was thrilled to have part sponsored the recreation of the ballet “Lilac Garden”. Originally premiered in 1936 this beautiful ballet was choreographed by Antony Tudor and staged for the students by Kirk Peterson.

We are also delighted to have signed an agreement with the Royal Ballet School to provide girls and boys leotards for their Associate programme.

Here I am with Jim Fletcher (RBS) having just signed the contracts.

I am having a wonderful time this weekend as guest of one of my former pupils. Melanie Beeston teaches near Milton Keynes and she invited me to a presentation of her students work. Here are the Primary group with Melanie and myself.

Yesterday was show time for one of our very long standing customers. The Suella Dance Centre was launched 25 years ago with Angela Rippin as it’s patron. Since then Angela has supported the school every year and she was there last night to help Principal Sue Haddley celebrate.

Ian and I attended too and had a most enjoyable evening.

Congratulations Suella Dance Centre and well done to Angela for many years of support!   Thank you also for supporting IDS by buying costumes and uniform from us since the dance centre was launched

Here are Angela and Sue before the show.

Last weekend I was in London to attend the ISTD Congress at Laban (more on that later) and was lucky enough to see the Saturday evening performance of Dirty Dancing. A brilliant show starring Martin Harvey, which was made even more special by a trip backstage to meet my hero. The shows writer, Eleanor Bergstein, popped into the dressing room while I was there but Martin made my day by posing for a photo with me! I just had to share it with you. Lucky me!!

In London for a couple of days of meetings and seminars. Andrew Ward (Development Manager for IDS) and I were lucky enough to be able to watch company class at the Royal Ballet’s Clore Studio in Covent Garden.                                                                                                                                                                                            Here is Andrew with Stephen McRae. A gruelling start to the day for the dancers, which would not end until late last night after hours of rehearsals as well as class and then a performance.

Just spent two busy days at MOVE IT meeting lots of customers, suppliers and friends both old and new. Our friends from Dance Teacher Web had come all the way from USA with a great offer as well as a promotion to attend their Conference and Expo in Las Vegas next summer. We will be exhibiting there and Wayne Sleep will be among a wonderful faculty. Here he is on their booth with me as well as the Dance Teacher Web organisers Angela and Steve Sirico.