The Chronicle 682

24 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Dance for All By Amy Hill, Communications Manager

‘I don’t really know why, but we’ve never had that attitude here. I think we’ve just got great pupils who encourage each other.’

So says Lisa Elkins, Head of Dance, when asked if there’s any smirking about boys in the 1st VIII doing ballet. In fact, Lisa goes on to say that ballet and rowing, or rugby, or netball - where footwork and elevation are key - or any other sport for that matter - work beautifully together. ‘I’ve done some work-outs with the 1st XV Rugby team,’ she says ‘you develop great core strength and flexibility dancing, and this helps enormously on the pitch. Rugby players may be very fit and able to sustain a 90-minute game, and they can probably get their dance partner up in the air for a lift, but can they sustain it? That requires core strength, and that is impressive, and the pupils know that.’ Lisa, who also coaches Netball, believes that dance and sport absolutely 1st VIII after three years of training. This is also the year I have picked up dance, and the athleticism gained from sport paired with the coordination and manoeuvrability from dance have combined to make me much better at both.’ Sixth Former Ruby Faulkner takes three classes a week in Funk Fusion, Freestyle and Jazz and also plays in the Hockey and Netball 1st teams. She also sees the benefits of this combined athletic approach: ‘Freestyle has pushed me most out of my comfort zone and been the most demanding in terms of developing my flexibility and strength, which I have found incredibly rewarding.’ Dance is a widely practised and highly respected activity in all years, complement each other and make for a more rounded athlete. Guy Wheeler, a Lower Sixth pupil who favours the Contemporary Duet class agrees: ‘This year I have made it into the

for boys and girls. Lisa, who has been at the school for 20 years, identifies the reasons for the growing popularity amongst pupils for dance. All pupils are actively encouraged to give it a go from the very start of their school career – and more and more pupils do. Of course, pupils excel in different areas, but even the very best dancers will still have to turn up to games to be with their peers and improve their fitness, and during exams pupils will still be expected to attend their dance lessons. ‘Even if they are stressed, they come into the studio - a different space - leave their revision for 45 minutes, enjoy themselves, get the blood flowing, then go back to their work. It’s good for their well-being and concentration.’ Pupils are now attracted to St Edward’s specifically for the strong Dance Programme. Nine full-time Dance Teachers take 90 classes across the week including ballet, contemporary, tap, modern, jazz, freestyle, hip-hop, street, funk-fusion, cheerleading, Latin American and acro.

William Barlow, Lily Helling and Angus Graham