We are a small, local dance school (approx 30 students), based in Vange, Basildon in Essex. We are looking raise funds for our dancing school for a huge once in a lifetime event that our talented students have been selected for. Our accomplishment caught the eye of the Echo newspaper and BBC Radio Essex! We will be performing on the Disney World Florida Stage in summer 2025 and will be the first of 10 UK schools to ever do this!
For background, our dancing school has been part of the community for 10 years, and we have always maintained a close relationship with the students that have passed through our doors. Our dancing school gives them a place to come and be themselves, express themselves, in safety, and we have the absolute privilege of having some extremely talented students in our school. Some of our students are neurodivergent and require various needs and support from us. But our school is their home, it is their safe place for both their physical and mental health. We are a family. However, our school is based in a low socioeconomic area, and always has been because I truly believe that dance is for everyone and should be accessible to everyone. But being a small school and in a low income area has obviously previously stood in our way of doing big things. This time I’d like to change that.
This opportunity will allow these children to perform on a real international stage, promoting the importance of hard work, dedication and physical and mental health. It will give them the chance to have the confidence in themselves to push for bigger and better things in their lives, despite the obstacles that may be put in their way.
Any money raised will go towards accommodation, flights and spending money to perform in Disney World.