Students excel in Royal Academy of Dance Ballet Exams

Congratulations to nine of our students who have received fabulous results in their recent ballet exams. The students attend Janet Seymour’s School of Theatre Dance and were faced with the postponement of their exams when the Royal Academy of Dance examining body sent all their examiners home due to the impending Covid-19 crisis just three days beforehand. It was a huge relief when it was agreed that the students could take their exams remotely.  Well done to: Alana Hodgson, Eva Midgley, Taryn Hodgson, Olivia Richardson, Beth Butler, Isabel Bainbridge, Eva Clinton, Evie Gill and Hannah Kettlewell.

For Alana and Eva, it was really important that they could take their exams as they are leaving the area for University and Vocational Dance College in September have both been dancing with Janet since the age of three and were able to complete their Grade 8 examination, the highest level available.

Alana said: “I absolutely love dancing at the Janet Seymour school of Theatre Dance, which I’ve done since I was three. It has provided me with so many opportunities, including performing in shows, being in the pantomime and going on a German Exchange Trip. We are so lucky to have such a talented and versatile teacher living here in the dales.

“Janet goes above and beyond to help us all and at the moment my class is having 5 lessons a week on Zoom. We are all so grateful and I can’t wait to continue dance classes with her when I’m home from university.”

Eva added: “My result for Grade 8 Ballet was a really lovely way to end my 15 years dancing with Janet, and I shall miss everyone at the dance school very much when I move to take up my place at Northern Ballet School in Manchester.”

Ellen Stewart, in Year 8, was unable to take the exam but will be doing hers soon and we wish her the very best of luck.

Danni Fox, Lead Teacher of Dance, said: “Eva is a professional, hard-working and adaptable dancer who is always striving to improve her technique and training. She has become a real asset to the dance department at Richmond School over the years after studying with us from KS3 level, through to GCSE and CTEC Level.  As well as remaining focused with her dance studies within school and Sixth Form, Eva has always shown complete commitment to her training with Janet Seymour, which evidences her dedication to her future career.

“We are so proud of Eva’s achievements and can’t wait to watch her begin to carve out her own career within the dance industry as she leaves us this summer for further professional dance training to study at the Northern Ballet School.”

Les Richardson, Head of Sixth Form, said: “This is wonderful news for Eva and Alana and I am confident that Eva will do incredibly well as she pursues her further studies in Dance. I am also incredibly impressed with how Alana has managed to achieve such a high standard of ballet whilst working so hard for her A-levels and, in addition, dedicating time to her Headgirl duties, Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award as well as international Irish dancing.

“This is testament to Alana’s drive and commitment and we wish her all the very best with her plans to study medicine next year.”