A new dance school for children in Ottery St Mary and Honiton was recently chosen to be a finalist in the international Dance School of the Year competition.

The competition is 'open to all dance schools of all sizes, anywhere in the world', and saw entries from across the UK and Europe as well as Canada, Ireland, USA, Bahrain, Malaysia, Finland, India, and Australia.

JW Dance started at Honiton Gym Club in September 2020, and had to adapt quickly to life under lockdown when the pandemic struck by delivering online classes.

Once it was allowed to continue in April 2021, the school began offering additional Saturday ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical genre dance classes at Ottery St Mary Leisure Centre.

Principal at JW Dance Jo Wilson said: "I am thrilled that our school was selected as a finalist for the Dance School of The Year Awards.

"Our focus and ethos is not only high level dance training, but also ensuring positive mindset and mental wellbeing.

"Since September 2021 we have expanded our timetable to include Monday and Wednesday evening classes in Ottery St Mary, consisting of adult ballet, acro and stretch programs and pre-school dance classes.

"With 130 students enrolled and working towards dance exams as well as well received performances this summer at Ottery Food and Families Festival and the West Hill Village Fete, we are so excited for the future of JW Dance in the Ottery St Mary and surrounding community."

The Dance School of the Year competition held its 2021 awards ceremony at Sandy Park on Friday 29 October.

Click here to find out more about the competition.

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