We’re looking forward to getting back into the swing of things tomorrow, Monday 4th January, and would like to let you know that some class times have changed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via Facebook (www.facebook.com/SBSOTD) or email at sharonberryschool@gmail.com
Please note that all private lessons are not running the first week back, and will begin week commencing 11th January.
Saturday Timetable – First Class Back 9th January 2016
10.00-10.30
Juveniles
Prep Theatre Craft
Primary Theatre Craft
10.30-11.00
Prep Tap
Primary Tap
11.00-11.30
Grade 1 Ballet
Prep Ballet
Primary Ballet
11.30-12.00
Grade 1 Modern
Prep Modern
Primary Modern
12.00-12.30
Stretch
12.30-1.15
Grade 1 Theatre Craft
Grade 2 Theatre Craft
Grade 3 Theatre Craft
1.15-1.30
Lunch
1.30-2.15
Grade 1 Tap
Grade 2 Tap
Grade 3 Tap
2.15-3.15
Grade 4 Theatre Craft
Intermediate Theatre Craft
Advanced 1 Modern
3.15-4.00
Intermediate Tap
Advanced 1 Tap
Monday Timetable – First Class Back 4th January 2016
Well, what a year 2015 has been – perhaps one of the best? While Christmas has been creeping up on us we’ve been getting into the mood with some fantastic events; special mention for the Christmas Fayre organised by our fabulous Fundraising Committee and not forgetting the fandabbydozy Christmas Concert! We were thrilled to sell out all the tickets and see so many friends and family there to support us, and well done to the pupils and staff for putting together a brilliant show.
In the spirit of the new year we’re reflecting on this one. So here goes, we hope you enjoy looking back. In 2015 we’ve been…
Raising the roof at Miss Dance 2015…
Three of our very talented cohort, Misses Rebecca Hanneman, Bree Quinton & Bridie Thorpe performed in the Final of Miss Dance 2015 held at the immense Winter Gardens Theatre in Blackpool.
Bursting with pride at Billy Elliot’s latest cast member…
This year our pupil Bradley Mayfield took on the role of Michael, Billy’s best friend, in the smash hit Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre in September. After an extremely successful 11 years on the West End, the show will close its doors in April 2016 – we’re very proud to say that the very first Billy was a Berry Boy and so is the last Michael!
Backing up Gary, Howard & Owen to 40,000 people…
In June Mrs Berry was given a very special mission: Get together an ensemble, a troupe if you like, of adults to perform on the stage with Take That during their 3 dates at Sheffield Arena. Like with most challenges, Mrs B tackled this one with aplomb, and the choreography was learned, the songs already tattooed into our brains, and the performances were smashed.
Strutting to Burlesque success…
Our former pupil, Miss Alice Wilson, alias Didi Derriere, stormed to victory in the national grand final of Miss Burlesque Idol 2015. Congratulations!
Getting engaged…
Congratulations to Miss Alicia and her new fiancé Dan on their engagement! We can’t wait for the wedding.
Waving off (temporarily we hope) a very talented young man…
One of our pupils, Frankie Beetlestone, had his talent recognised by the clever folks at Sylvia Young Theatre School; after a competitive entry process, Frankie was invited to carry out intensive musical theatre training alongside his studies at the school in London.
Frankie and Mrs Berry
Training the teachers of tomorrow…
Our class helpers undertook their first teaching qualification exams and passed with flying colours (Honours). Well done to Molly Barrrowclough, Megan Clixby, Elle Longden-Lyons, Charlotte Stones & Leah Tucci for achieving their Pre-Associate Theatre Craft Part 1.
Continuing to represent on the West End…
Former pupils and part-time teachers Matthew Croke and Devon McKenzie-Smith continue to divide their time between musicals in London and our pupils up here in Sheffield. Matt finished his second stint in Wicked as understudy for Fiyero and has gone on to join Sheridan Smith in Funny Girl at the Chocolate Menier Factory. Dev has been performing alongside Beverley Knight in Memphis, a brand new musical which took place at the Shaftsbury Theatre.
Enchanting audiences in a little place in France…
One of our biggest achievements this year was transporting a group of 36 very excited young dancers to Disneyland Paris in the summer to perform to park guests on the Videopolis stage. The children performed magically, the staff put together fantastic routines, and as per usual, the fans (mums, dads, nans, grandads, brothers, sisters and friends) were their usual, enthusiastic (if a little wild) and noisy selves. What a wonderful few days, we hope you treasure the memories as much as we do.
Sparkling in Blackpool (again)…
A little group of our pupils this year took part in Northern Star, a talent competition held in Blackpool incorporating the disciplines of dance, singing and musical theatre. Not only were we thrilled to see all our pupils put through to the final, we were incredibly proud to see Eleanor Jackson take runner-up!
Oh no you don’t-ing across South Yorkshire…
This year our pupils make up the Junior performers in three pantomimes in the area. At Rotherham Civic, going to the ball with Cinderella, are Abigail Bridger, Megan Bridger, Grace Mitchell, Leila Steer, Lilli Walker, Evie Wright & Laylah Xaba. Back in Sheffield at the Lyceum, Eva Cadet, Maddie Dunn, Maisie Ganley, Lucy Holcroft, Eleanor Jackson, Megan Moore, Megan Thorpe, Renée Warren and Aliyah Xaba are performing in Aladdin. Up the road at City Hall are Ewan Revill and Jack Skelton, also performing in Cinderella.
Competing at dance festivals around the region…
Whether at Goldthorpe, Cantley, Two Counties or Penistone Festival – we’re very proud of our pupils in the hard work they put in and the good sportsmanship showed throughout these competitive events. Particular mentions to Miss Isabelle Sykes, winner of Senior Bursary at Two Counties Festival.
‘Working’ overseas in places exotic and beautiful…
Miss Lois was missed this year as she took up her 9 month contract in the Costa del Sol working as part of the hotel entertainment team. Our former pupil Hollie Glossop was also the dance captain on a 6 month contract in Malta. Since then she has embarked upon the Marco Polo as part of the cruise ship’s entertainment, recently checking in from Portugal.
Channelling our inner Kate Moss…
Four of our pupils, Abigail Bridger, Maisie Ganley, Rebecca Hanneman and Jack Skelton were selected by to appear in Images Dance Costumes’ 2015 catalogue. Further to this, Jack, Rebecca, Bridie Thorpe and Conner Povey have been modelling for the 2016 catalogue, which is out now.
Dancing our socks off in Manchester…
At the International Dance Teachers Association’s Theatre Dance Awards, pupils who were specially selected during their grades exams danced in front of adjudicators and choreographers at the Dancehouse Theatre. Emily Gay, Liberty Shepherd and Eve Wainwright were beautiful in their Grade 5 Ballet section. Meanwhile, Rebecca Hanneman, Alexandra O’Brien, Bree Quinton, Charlotte Stones and Bridie Thorpe were fantastic in both Intermediate Modern Jazz and Intermediate Theatre Craft. We were especially thrilled when Rebecca, Bree and Bridie were awarded special commendations for their Theatre Craft, and Bree and Bridie also received the honour for their Modern Jazz performance.
Breaking records left right and centre…
Bridie Thorpe has smashed the record previously held by Rebecca Hanneman for IDTA grade exam results; our extremely talented young lady achieved her Advanced 1 Modern Jazz qualification with a stunning 96 marks.
Ramping up for a spectacular 2016…
Our pupil Jack Skelton has two nominations under his belt for Grade 4 Modern Jazz and Grade 5 Tap, while Rebecca Hanneman, Bree Quinton, Charlotte Stones and Bridie Thorpe were nominated for their performance in their Intermediate Tap exams. These four girls and Alexandra O’Brien were also nominated for their Advanced 1 Modern Jazz exam – so we’re looking forward to Scholarships next Spring.
Alexandra, Bree, Bridie, Charlotte & Rebecca are also working towards Miss Dance 2016. Bree, Bridie & Rebecca have won heats and already secured their places in the final next June, while it can only be a matter of time for Alex and Charlotte; we wish you all the best girls.
Well there you have it. Coming up in 2016, All Good Things, our bi-annual school production – stay tuned for more details. We wish an incredibly happy and prosperous new year from our family to yours.
We’re looking forward to kicking off pantomime season tonight! Our pupils are performing in various pantos across South Yorkshire over the Christmas period to over 100,000 people.
Commencing this evening is Sheffield Theatres/Evolution Pantomimes’ production of Aladdin at the Sheffield Lyceum. Split across three separate teams are: Eva Cadet, Maddie Dunn, Maisie Ganley, Lucy Holcroft, Eleanor Jackson, Megan Moore, Megan Thorpe, Renée Warren and Aliyah Xaba.
Tomorrow morning will see our Berry Babes off to the ball in Cinderella, Shone Productions’ pantomime at Rotherham Civic Theatre. Performing as a 100% Berry team will be: Abigail Bridger, Megan Bridger, Grace Mitchell, Leila Steer, Lilli Walker, Evie Wright and Laylah Xaba.
After Christmas we shall also see our boys Jack Skelton and Ewan Revill performing in Manor Operatic Society’s production of Cinderella at Sheffield’s City Hall.
Break a leg to all pupils performing, you’ll be fantastic – oh yes you will!
An immense congratulations to our former pupil , who took the title of Miss Burlesque Idol last week! After heats across the country, the competition hotted up at London’s Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square with the Grande Finale.
On stage as her alter ego, Didi Derriere, Alice performed her heart out like the blonde bombshell she is, drawing from her theatrical training at Arts Educational School and of course here at Sharon Berry School of Theatre Dance. The audience loved it, and more importantly, so did the judges.
In a packed house, our lovely Alice stepped up to take that ever-important crown. Congratulations Miss Didi Derriere! We wish you all the best, and can’t wait to see what you do next.
To read an interview with Alice, please click here. To find out more about Alice’s work as Didi Derriere, please click here.
This newsletter comes from our in-house Fundraising Committee, comprised of parents, teachers and friends of the school. We thank them for their continued support and hard work.
A big thank you to our pupils, parents and friends of the school for the fantastic and
continued support in the fundraising efforts which have helped us to purchase new
dance costumes, new audio equipment and contribution to Disney travel arrangements
during this last year. Future funding being generated will help towards next year’s
school production All Good Things (see details below) and portable dance mirrors are
also being considered as an investment to help all pupils with their continued dance
training.
We are delighted to announce the forthcoming key events up until the end of the year.
Tuesday 24th November – Ladies Jewellery Party Malin Bridge Club (Gas Club)
7.00pm onward
A wide range of modern and contemporary jewellery and accessories will be available
to purchase just in time for Christmas. Pick up a few items to glam up that little black
dress or treat your friends or loved ones to one-off bespoke items. Friends and family
all welcome.
Saturday 12th December – Christmas Craft Fayre St Thomas More Community Centre
11.00am onward
Come along to kick-start your Christmas shopping
early. A wide range of Christmas crafts and gifts will
be available. Family and friends all welcome.
Saturday 19th December – Christmas Concert Thomas More Community Centre
12.00-1.00pm and 1.30–2.30pm
Sharon Berry pupils will be finishing
the school year with a Christmas
concert guaranteed to get you into the festive spirit. Following last
year’s popularity two separate performances will take place at 12.00
and 1.30pm. Tickets £2.00 adult and £1.00 children/senior citizens.
Tickets on sale at Saturday class or can be ordered via Facebook
page.
Saturday Tuck Shop and Weekly Bonus Ball (£1.00 entry) still available to all aged
16+ years.
2016 SCHOOL PRODUCTION – ALL GOOD THINGS
Show Dates: 14th – 16th July @ Montgomery Theatre – Surrey Street, Sheffield
More congratulations to yet another of our brilliant pupils, Miss Bridie Thorpe, who has today won her place in the Grand Final of Miss Dance 2016! We’re now at a stage where all three girls who performed at Miss Dance this year are now through to the final again – a bit of a school record!
Bridie won her heat at Pershore with her new routine to Michael Jackson’s Dangerous, and proved herself pretty dangerous to the competition. Well done to Alex and Charlotte who also danced their socks off and performed brilliantly, as per usual… it’s just a matter time.
Congratulations again Bridie, see you at the Winter Gardens.
We’re gonna need a bigger coach! A massive congratulations to the lovely Miss Bree Quinton for securing her place in the Grand Final of Miss Dance 2016 at a heat last night. Well done too to our Miss Bridie Thorpe who took the place of runner-up… it surely can’t be long now.
Bree & Bridie with their trophies
Alongside Rebecca, both girls performed at Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens earlier this year at Miss Dance 2015, a day that the whole dancing family will never forget. We now have two more young ladies competing for their place, so now we begin the countdown to making our Fabulous Five.
Best of luck to Bridie, Alex & Charlotte in the coming heats, and another very heartfelt well done to Bree.
We are holding a Halloween Party Sunday 1st November2.00-4.00 at Malin Bridge Sports and Social Club. Tickets are £2. Fancy dress is of course encouraged but not compulsory. All children must be accompanied. Please support us in this event. Tickets are available from Gemma Mitchell at class on Saturdays, please contact us if you are interested via Facebook or to the school email address: sharonberryschool@gmail.com
Book the coaches, start on that packed lunch, because we’re off to Blackpool again next June! A huge congratulations to our very own Miss Rebecca Hanneman who performed her heart out in Loughborough to secure a place in the Grand Final of Miss Dance 2016.
After doing us tremendously proud this year (along with Misses Bridie and Bree of course), Becky has been back competing for a place in this prestigious competition, and we’re so looking forward to cheering her on once more. Well done!
Berry Academy of Dance 