Following a round of successful auditions, 15 pupils from Bede’s Legat Dance Academy took to the main stage at the opening of Move It at London’s Excel Centre.

The pupils – aged 14-18 – entertained a packed audience with a group dance called ‘Red’, choreographed by Bede’s Director of Dance, Sherrie Pennington and her colleague, Emma Manes.

“This was such an achievement for our dancers,” said Sherrie. “Move It is a massive event and it is something that we have always wanted to do.

“To get through the auditions and take the second slot on the main stage on the opening day is a testimony to all our students and their talent.”

Their dance, Red, was inspired by the fairy tale, Little Red Riding Hood. Six ballet dancers perform en pointe while being circled by contemporary jazz dancers, who are ‘watchers’ to the musical backdrop of ‘Somebody’s watching me.’

“We wanted to showcase how many different dance genres we teach here at Bede’s,” said Sherrie. “It gave the audience a bigger perspective of what we do and how we have grown in recent years.”

Bede’s, which set up the Legat Dance Academy in the early 1970s, was named last year as one of the best schools in the country for dance by the Talk Education website highlighting how the school successfully aligns the dual demands of dance training alongside a high-quality academic programme.

Move It is billed as the biggest dance event in the world and brings together thousands of dancers over three days covering all genres from street dance, to ballet, hip hop to contemporary jazz. Attendees have a chance to meet with professionals and also representatives from dance schools and colleges across the UK as well as taking part in classes.

On the second day Sherrie, a performer in numerous West End musicals, held one of the main dance classes at the Excel Centre on behalf of Bede’s.

Legat students Caitlin, 17, and Angel, 14, said that performing on stage had been a fantastic experience for them both. “It was this massive gathering of dancers,” said Caitlin. “It had a real festival feel with thousands of people there.”

“We didn’t have a chance to practise on the stage before the show,” said Angel. “We just had to get up there and do it. It was amazing – there was a sea of people watching and filming us. We had such a great time.”

Thirty associate members of Bede’s Legat Dance Academy were also able to visit Move It on the second day. “It was fantastic for pupils to have a chance to see what is on offer out there in the world of dance,” said Sherrie.