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Visit our Press Page for Entire Classroom2Ballroom articles University of Cambridge Website | 06/03/09 Vincent and Flavia at Grand Arcade | 27/03/09
Pupils at a Cambridge school are putting their best feet forward to take part in Classroom to Ballroom – an exciting new dance competition inspired by the popularity of celebrity ballroom dancing. While combining fun and fitness, the pupils are also raising funds for the spina bifida charity, ASBAH. Forty boys and girls in year six (age 10-11) are quickstepping their way towards a glittering gala on 4 April when they will perform for a panel of judges. The novice dancers started in early January with 12 weeks to get to grips with the waltz, jive and cha cha cha. The pupils are training three times a week outside school hours, before school and at weekends. Anastasia Castiglione, founder of the Castellano School of Spanish Dance, developed the programme to bring all the benefits of classical dance into schools. She has spent two years shaping the concept, which is being piloted at Milton Road Primary School. Anastasia is running the training sessions on a voluntary basis, closely supported by Clive Hurt from CJ School of Ballroom Dance. The programme covers areas such as diet and nutrition plus a visit to see the Cambridge University Dancesport Team train and pick up some tips.
Sue Romero, head at Milton Road Primary School, said, “It’s a brilliant idea that has really captured everyone’s imagination. Despite the cold, dark early morning starts, the children have shown tremendous commitment to get here on time and raring to go. From what we’ve seen so far, the venture should be a great success.” All funds raised at the gala event will be donated to the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH – www.asbah.org). It is a charity close to Anastasia’s heart as she suffers from hydrocephalus yet leads a very full and active life looking after the dance school and her four young children. For information, photography and interviews contact Anastasia Castiglione Sue Romero |
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Pupils step up for Classroom 2 Ballroom challenge
Anastasia said, “With all the buzz created by celebrity dance shows on TV, I realised that there was a great opportunity to introduce young people to ballroom as a way of having fun, keeping fit and gaining confidence through the discipline of dance. It’s also a really valuable way to teach pre-teen boys and girls about mutual respect. The children’s response has been phenomenal; they are so keen to learn. We are also making a film so that everyone can see what progress the children have made and celebrate what they’ve achieved.”
