Knaresborough dance school heads to World Cup again
2025-02-07
Category: entertainment

A children's dance school is set to represent England at the Dance World Cup for a second year running.Knaresborough-based Freedom Performing Arts managed to secure sixth place at the event last year in Prague. The competition saw the group up against 5,000 dancers from 65 countries, and this July they will head to Burgos in Spain for another attempt at the title.The group's founder Amy Meikle said: "We didn't even expect to qualify last year, let alone get sixth in the world. It gave us that little bit of confidence that maybe we could do this again".
Freedom entered one piece in 2024 but will perform 10 routines involving 41 dancers this summer. They have been split into two age groups.Ms Meikle set up the dance school in 2010 and offers a variety of classes to children aged 3-18.
The dancers have now begun fundraising efforts for the trip, having spent £20,000 on flights, accommodation and costumes for the 22 dancers who took part last year.Donations came from sponsorship, raffles, bake sales and other fundraising events.This year their target is £40,000 to help parents cover the cost of the competition.Ms Meikle added :"It's incredible to give them that opportunity and see them up there."Anyone who can help would be amazing, we are looking for sponsorship."Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.