International Stars Dance - danceDad 5 Questions

In our quest for the stories behind the UK’s top dance events, dancedad caught up with Amy Farlie who is one half of the husband and wife team behind International Stars Dance Competition…

International Stars is run by husband and wife team Amy & Paul Farlie. Both performers, Amy was trained at The Arts Educational Schools from the age of 10. After dancing professionally around the world for 10 years Amy then qualifyied as an associate of the ISTD. Amy gained experience in running large scale events for 6 years for The Football Association and is also a choreographer and director.

Who are the people behind International Stars Dance Competition and what has been their experience in the events/ dance industry?

“After attending some of the big American competitions, I decided that I would like to combine my dance and events experience to create a competition more suited to the UK market and International Stars was born!

Paul’s accounting knowledge has helped with the behind the scenes role. However, Paul is also a very accomplished singer and actor (who can also dance a bit!) so takes the front of house role on competition days.He does ALOT of walking on comp days!!”

When did International Stars start – and has it lived up to your expectations?

“We have been going for 6 years now, and the competitions are going from strength to strength. Most of our schools return year after year which is an excellent compliment!

The organisation and spiralling cost of theatres does mean that it is a strain, however seeing the joy on dancers faces while they dance and even while they are waiting in the wings is such an incredible feeling!”

What aspects did you consider as particularly important when you started out – what did you want to achieve?

“We wanted to create a friendly atmosphere where, although it is a competition, the performers have a great time no matter what. Performing in full scale theatres with real stages is a big factor for me and I work very hard sourcing the right venues. As well as ensuring fairness. We rotate judges often to ensure that they aren’t seeing the students year on year and gaining favourites. We ourselves have absolutely no contact with the scores. There’s an independant adjudicator who inputs the scores and emails us the results – so as we read them, we find out who has won too!!

Timekeeping was and still is of great importance, we meticulously plan each day. Paul is constantly on my back to keep to time!”

We love reading about the background of judges when we’re at a competition – who are your favourite go to judges?

“As I said, we like to rotate judges often so use them at different venues. On different years however, our favourites have been:-

Racky Plews – West End Choreographer and Director (American Idiot, Summer Holiday, Thoroughly Modern Millie).

Bruce Aguilar-Rohan (Cats, Carousel, Teacher at Urdang, Base and Studio 68).

Sam Archer (Oliver!, Mary Poppins, We will Rock You, Principal Dancer for Matthew Bourne in various productions including creating the role of Edward Scissorhands)”.

Tell us about anything else that makes your events special, what can we really look forward to?

“Anyone who places at our heats receives a golden ticket through to our Grand London Finals which take place at the beautiful New Wimbledon Theatre in February each year. This is a huge honour to perform in this stunning theatre. Once there we are also on the lookout for our Ambassador, which this year was the talented Sian Clarke from Shining Stars Dance Academy in Eastbourne. This is awarded to someone who has not only performed well onstage but who our backstage team have noticed being extra polite or helpful throughout the day. The ambassador represents our brand throughout the year and helps with promotion. They also receive a scholarship to a summer school (this year was at London Studio Centre). Sian also received free tickets to the Bird College Summer Show.

We provide free videoed and recorded judges critique, so afterwards you can download a video of your dance and hear each judges critique over the top.

Our running orders are mixed up, allowing each dance to be judged on it’s own merits without being directly compared to the dance before it. You might be watching a cute primary ballet solo, then senior tap group into a junior street trio, making our competitions having more of a “show” like feel.

We hold various Improvisation rounds and and our infamous “Killer Round” . This one every student really looks forward to! One of our judges teaches a short routine and the students perform as if in an audition scenario. This is great fun and everyone joins in calling out who they think should win the prized trophy!

There is also so much more – COME AND FIND OUT!!!”