Tap Fest 2023

The lucky students and teachers were treated to two workshops with fabulous lecturers. Adele Joel, Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Hannah Willcocks and Michael Lin have a wealth of knowledge and performing experience. All have trained in ISTD Tap and specialised in the genre. We are extremely grateful they could spend their Sunday sharing their passion and expertise with us.  The students were put through their paces and enjoyed learning various technical exercises and routines, whilst the teachers were given lots of great ideas to take forward into their classes, as well as some repertoire from ‘Anything Goes’. 

“I really enjoyed the whole day.  It was great to be challenged by a wide variety of choreography and tap styles in the workshops.  Dancing my tap solo in the Star Tap Awards was fun and a great opportunity to perform!” Erin – Senior workshop and Star Tap participant. 

Bird College kindly sponsored our workshop awards again this year, by donating places to the 2024 Summer School.  The winners were chosen by the workshop lecturers and the talented recipients were…..

Workshop award winners

Workshop A:
Molly Mo. Teacher - Suzanne Sharkey, Suzanne Sharkey Unleash the Dance.

Workshop B:
Ruby Coleman. Teacher - Sarah Williams, Timestep Academy of Dance.

Workshop C:
Macauley Clifton. Teacher - James Doubtfire, Maddy Goddings Theatre Arts.

After lunch, we moved into the theatre for the 2023 Star Tap Awards.  The talented competitors danced their solos with such professionalism and joy.  It was a privilege to see their teacher’s hard work, care and creativity.  Nick French (Head of Musical Theatre Bird College, ISTD Examiner and Lead for the LEXT team for Tap Vocations Syllabi) joined Adele Joel and Michael Lin for the difficult job of judging. 

He said “It was great to see such an enthusiastic approach from all the students and obvious hard work from the teachers.  The standard was really high and made our job very difficult! Thank you to the parents/guardians for the support of their children and thank you to everyone who supported and worked so hard towards the Star Tap Awards.  The adjudicating panel thoroughly enjoyed the event.”

Star Tap Awards 2023: Results

Junior:

Special Commendations:
Sophie Heron – Teacher - Michaela Headford / Stephen Charnock, Junior Masters Performing Arts.
Atalia Mai Cornelia – Teacher - Suzanne Sharkey, Unleash the Dance Company.
Jaimee Obeng – Teacher - Declan Morgan / Emily Lewis, Graham School of Dance.

Runner Up:
Beau Stylianou – Teacher - Hannah Willcocks, Hasland Dance Studio.

Winner:
Chloe Grace Torpey – Teacher - Elizabeth Hill, Elizabeth Hill School of Dance and Drama.

Senior:

Special Commendations:
Lilly Pedder – Teacher - Aaron Lissimore, The Company Performing Arts.
Lucy McCrudden – Teacher - Aaron Lissimore, The Company Performing Arts.
Nia Rodway – Teacher - Andrea Ashton, Corraine Collins Dance Studio.

Runner Up:
Beatriz Kingsmill-Smith – Teacher - Fiona Sheehan, Mayhew School of Dance and Performing Arts.

Winner:
Macauley Clifton – Teacher -James Doubtfire, Maddy Goddings Theatre Arts.

Many thanks to IDS and Dance Direct who sponsored the student and teacher prizes again this year.

Thank you so much for everyone who supported and enjoyed Tap Fest 2023.  It was a wonderful positive day with such a display of talent.  Special thanks go to our Lecturers and Adjudicators, Bird College and it’s staff and students, the Chaperones, IDS and Dance Direct, the ISTD Event Co-Ordinators and the Tap Committee.

We can’t wait to see you all again next year!