New Sponsor Announced
As 6,500 young people from 125 schools and colleges throughout the country returned to their classrooms earlier this month for the new academic year, it also marked the start of their preparations in earnest to compete in Dance Live! 2025.
The school and college dance event produced by The Guildhall Trust, empowers children and young people by providing them with the platform and support structures to create BIG production moments, whilst developing creative and technical skills.
Taking the country by storm, Dance Live! will take place in Portsmouth, Guildford, High Wycombe, Blackpool and a new location for 2025, Hastings.
Embracing an ever-evolving digital world and how this is changing the face of modern performance, those in KS2-KS4 and further education compete with choreographed routines to the backdrop of a giant LED screen, showcasing a range of skills from dance and performance to everything that happens off-stage to put the performance together including technical stage skills, video production and design.
With a focus on raising aspirations, strengthening physical and mental health and wellbeing and developing skills for creative career choices, Dance Live! engages participating schools, colleges and young people in a year-long programme of development and support.
This year a new range of resources encouraging participants to consider sustainable and eco-friendly practises has been launched and in partnership with the Leadership Skills Foundation, participating pupils in KS4 will have the chance to gain a qualification in Dance Leadership.
The Main Sponsor for Dance Live! 2025 is now announced as Diamond Adventures. A specialist in educational school trips, Diamond Adventures organise trips to destinations across the UK and Europe offering teachers an easy process where safety systems and value for money are assured.
Managing Director of Diamond Adventures, Keiran O’Toole said, “It is with great privilege that Diamond Adventures has the opportunity to become a sponsor with Dance Live! An event so impactful to the development of young people, not just in the arts but as they grow into young adults and shape their future. Our team are driven by providing opportunities outside of the classroom and enhancing learning with educational experiences; Dance Live! is the perfect event to work with as we can see they share similar values & visions”
The impact of Dance Live! is clear in the feedback from schools and colleges:
“We have seen growth in pupil’s confidence, self-esteem, personal belief, socialisation and motivation” Saint Edmunds Catholic School
“Our pupils have higher levels of confidence, self-esteem and motivation following Dance Live!” St Anne’s Catholic School
“We have had a number of older pupils who have said that Dance Live has really helped them keep coming to school in times of great stress; that it’s a wonderful escape for them that can make them smile” Portsmouth Grammar School
“Quite a few individuals who performed suffer with anxiety issues at home/school at they overcame this to perform. The quiet children had a chance to shine. Improved relationships between staff and children, and children made new friends from other year groups” Wicor Primary School
Dance Live! Senior Producer, Cherry Lambert said, “We are delighted that Dance Live! continues to grow in 2025 as we take the event to Hastings for the first time, add an extra date for Blackpool and offer KS4 pupils the chance to work for a Dance Leadership qualification. We look forward to working with schools and colleges over the Autumn term as we deliver a series of digital drop-in sessions for young people covering a range of aspects including concept, lighting design, video creation, copyright and choreography and can’t wait to see the first performances at the Heats in Portsmouth in February!”
There are still opportunities for businesses to align their brand and support community youth development through a range of sponsorship options available. To find out more get in touch with christina.micklewright@guildhalltrust.org.uk
Schools and Colleges interested in future participation are encouraged to find out more online at www.dancelive.co.uk and get in touch with the team at hello@dancelive.co.uk or call 023 9387 0196.