Kirkby girls dance way to success

Dancers from Christine March School of Dance have received dance scholarships. Pictured front are the three who received them, surrounded by those who also took part. l-r front is Cora Vanaman, Lauren Skinner and Leyla Yildirim.

Talented dancers at a Kirkby school have had success in a national competition to be the best in American dance ballet .

Dancers at the Christine Mary School of Dance danced their way to the final few rounds of the renowned Association of American Ballet (AAD) and tap scholarships at the Buxton Opera House.

But a few of the schools dancers went one step further to win multiple places at the annual competition.

Cora Vanaman won the AAD Senior Scholarship and the Debut Award.

The Debut Award saw Cora use a combination of self choreography, singing and dancing.

Caroline Flowers, one of the teachers at the school, said: “The girls have all danced outstandingly.

“We are really proud of them and it is great that a story like this has come out of Kirkby.”

Dancer Leyla Yildirim gained fourth place in the Junior Scholarships and after a successful audition will also be dancing in the Derby Playhouse at Christmas.

Lauren Skinner was also placed fourth in the Seniors round.

Other dancers at the school were placed in the last few rounds from nearly 200 participants. Toni Cairns and Nicola Lawson got into the last few rounds from nearly 200 participants. The intermediates Lucy Edwards, Lucy Skinner and Olivia Neville got down to the last 20.