Destination Dance UK offer Unique Scholarships, Celebrity Judges and Amazing Prizes – a lot to live up to! dancedad.co.uk was at the Elmhurst School of Ballet in Birmingham to see if they are true to their word….
Who Are Destination Dance UK?
Mandy Montanez is the dancer, teacher, choreographer and founder of Destination Dance UK. Mandy has an incredible CV including extensive live performances, TV and film work. Currently teaching at London’s Pineapple Studio’s, the DD founder was involved throughout the Birmingham event – hosting as well as choreographing the ‘Kockout Scholarship Audition’.
Where do their events take place?
The 2019 Destination Dance competition schedule has incorporated 4 regional dates. Heats have been in Barcelona, Edinburgh and Birmingham with one to go in Belfast.
Find out how to enter Destination Dance, Belfast
Who can enter a Destination Dance event?
Destination Dance cater for all competitors with a long list of categories and age groups from under 8 through to adult including the option for novice entries. Dances can be solo’s, duets, trios or groups incorporating anything from 4 dancers to over 20!
What’s A Destination Dance Event Like?
Elmhurst Ballet School, provided the venue for the Birmingham event and it was immaculate. The Theatre was an ideal size for the event and there was an onsite car park. Outside for most of the day was a mobile caterer serving refreshments.
Spectators are admitted for free with programs available on reception for a small price. A photographer was also present, providing professional videos and pictures.
Younger competitiors perfomed in the morning with a lunchtime awards session and the 12 and overs danced in the afternoon with a prize giving in the evening.
At Destination Dance the performances are split into their categories and each dance earns an award (and takes home a medal) from Bronze to Platinum (marks of 85 and over). The top 3 dances in each category also gets to take home some very fetching trophies!
Highest score, best in show and costume awards are amongst a host of overall prizes given out. Each session see’s a Mr and Miss Destination Dance crowned for the different age groups. The dance school that has averaged the highest marks also receives the final prize of the day, which is the magnificent Studio Cup.
Destination Dance was impressively run closely to the advertised schedule, which is never a mean feat!
What in particular should we look out for?
A real highlight of the day is the It’s A Knockout Scholarship Audition. For those dancers aged 12 and over it is definitely a ‘must do’. Mandy takes the dancers through a ‘live audition’ on stage, which sounds daunting but her teaching style ensures everyone learns the choreography whilst having fun. Lucky winners are given a variety of scholarships but only after being whittled down to a final ten and showing off some awesome improv! The audience and judges certainly played their part by cheering and clapping along throughout.
Katie Cameron and Christie Lee Manning were the brilliant judges in Birmingham, both have impressive resume’s and huge personalities. Delivering feedback throughout the day with enthusiasm and humour the dancers certainly thrived on their involvement.
Is Destination Dance for me?
Destination Dance provide a slick, professional environment with awesome judges and enthusiastic audiences so, If that sounds like your thing, then DD is certainly for you!
Have you been to a Destination Dance event? Let us know what you liked the most in the comments below!
Read how to become Mr or Miss Starpower with our spotlight on Starpower International
