A Knaresborough dance school is set to represent England at the Dance World Cup for a second consecutive year.
Freedom Performing Arts placed sixth in the world in last year’s competition in Prague, competing against 5,000 dancers from more than 65 countries.
And the school has qualified again for 2025 - but with even more dances.
Freedom entered one dance piece in last year’s competition, but will be back with 10 pieces and 41 dancers in this year’s competition in Spain.
Two teams will be heading to Burgos in July - a younger team (aged 6-9) and an older group (aged 13-18).
Freedom Performing Arts founder Amy Meikle told Your Harrogate:
“To our complete amazement, we’ve had 10 pieces that have qualified.
“I’m so proud of this team, they have worked so hard and thoroughly deserve this!”
Freedom Performing Arts have launched an appeal for sponsorship to help cover the costs of helping the girls “realise their dreams.”
They were able to raise £20,000 last year through sponsorships, allowing them to pay for costumes and kit for each child.
But this year, even more girls will be representing England as part of the Freedom team.
Amy said:
“As much as the girls come across as professionals on the stage, this is all funded by ourselves, it’s not something we get paid to do.
“The staff and Freedom as a school, we’ve put a lot of effort into the qualifiers at no charge to the students, but the charge to go over there is considerable.
“They have to pay for the flights themselves, the accommodation, we have to purchase the team kit, costumes for every dance - it’s a huge expense.”
Speaking about the benefits to sponsors, Amy said they'll be involved in their hugely popular community shows, including a feature in the programme and on their popular social media channels.
Last year they were able to sell more than 1,000 tickets to local families.
She added:
“It is a personal connection for a business, but sponsors will also benefit too.
“We have such a big reach on our socials but also the parents and families who come to our shows, it’s huge in the community.
“I think it’s just amazing to support the kids who have this dream but we don’t want finances to get in the way of them reaching that.”
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact Amy Meikle on amy@freedomperformingarts.co.uk
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