Beat Feet Academy of Dance
Accolades
Beat Feet Academy of Dance - Accolades
2021 What’s On 4 Kids Awards
We were very excited to receive further Award nominations in 2021:
- Most Loved Music, Dance or Performing Arts Activity
- Remarkable achievement within the Pandemic
Dance School of the Year Finalist
Not only did we make it to the Final of this prestigious competition again in 2021, but we were able to travel to Devon to celebrate! This is where we joined other incredible dance schools from all over the world at the Awards ceremony. This was an extra special day as it was the first time the event could go ahead since the pandemic.
2020 What’s On 4 Kids Awards
This year brought another 2 Award nominations for this Nationwide competition:
- Most Loved Music, Dance or Performing Arts Activity
- Most Loved Activity Leader or Business Manager
Dance School of the Year Finalist
It was fantastic to be a named as Finalist in this International competition after the most difficult of years due to the pandemic. Beat Feet Academy of Dance were up against schools from all corners of the UK, Australia, Canada, USA, Bahrain, Dubai & Europe – a huge achievement. The judges applauded the work the Finalists are doing in their schools, especially during this very challenging year. Unfortunately, COVID-19 restrictions meant that the glamorous award ceremony couldn’t go ahead in 2020 but the winners were announced in a live broadcast.
2019 What’s On 4 Kids Awards
2019 saw Beat Feet Academy of Dance nominated for the ‘What’s On 4 Kids Awards’ below:
- Most Loved Dance, Music or Performing Arts Activity
- Most Loved Activity Leader or Business Manager
Dance School of the Year Finalist
We were thrilled to be announced as Finalists for this international competition again. Judges this year were industry specialist Sarah Dickinson ARAD and businesswoman and entrepreneur Sarah Cressall. The judges looked at how dance schools play a part in their local community, their charity work and the opportunities they provide their students amongst other elements.
#WOW Winner
2019 brought a brand new award to Beat Feet Academy of Dance as our Principal Miss Julie was selected as a #WOW winner by Jacqueline Gold CBE. This competition celebrates the success of entrepreneurial women in business. Jacqueline said that she looks for strong brand values, quality services, good customer service and entrepreneurs who show they have really considered what the consumer wants and needs and how to deliver this
Dance School of the Year Finalist
For the 5th consecutive year, Beat Feet Academy of Dance were announced as Dance School of the Year Finalists. It's a huge achievement to have been selected by a variety of judges every year that the Academy has been open. Judges this year were Brenda Last OBE and Terry Etheridge, both of whom have had illustrious careers in the dance industry as dancers, teachers and choreographers. Miss Julie was thrilled to be presented with another prestigious certificate for the Academy's gallery.
2018 WHAT'S ON 4 KIDS AWARD
Beat Feet Academy of Dance have been nominated for the following 'What's On For Kids Awards'.
- Best independent Pre-schooler activity
- Best independent Activity for children aged 5 - 12
- Most outstanding activity leader for the under 5
The What's On 4 Events Director Suzanne Borrell praised this year's nominees "We know from parents' testimonials how clubs, classes and individual leaders have such a positive impact on the lives of their children and it's an honour therefore to publically recognise and celebrate these activity providers in this way."
Dance School of the Year Finalist
In another great year for Beat Feet Academy of Dance, we made the shortlist out of thousands of dance schools for the Dance School of the Year competition. The judges who selected Beat Feet Academy of Dance as Finalists were:
- Entrepreneur and Businessman Paul Haigney
- Francesca Filpi who danced with The Royal Ballet Company for many years and is now a teacher, judge and adjudicator
- Broadcaster and journalist and life-long dance supporter Angela Rippon CBE
Anne Walker MBE, a former dance teacher who has founded and run a number of businesses, created these Awards to celebrate this incredible industry. She says: "Dance teachers should be applauded and celebrated. So much more than just a teacher – they are almost a substitute parent to many of their students as they are role models, mentors and social workers, offering support, stability and a disciplined approach to life. They instil a love of dance, music and theatre which will hopefully turn many students into tomorrow's theatre-goers if not performers or teachers."
2017 What's on 4 Kids Award
In 2017 we were nominated for the following 'What's On For Kids Awards'.
- Best independent Activity for children aged 5 - 12
- Best independent activity for the under 5's - East
- Most outstanding activity leader for children aged 5 - 12
- Most outstanding activity leader for the under 5's – East
Nominations for these awards include children's activities from all counties of the UK. The winners are decided by public votes and saw Beat Feet Academy of Dance not only invited to the awards ceremony in London but make it to the final five in the Best Independent Activity for Under 5s category.
2016 Prince's Trust Young Ambassador
Miss Julie has always been keen to support the local community and give back to the organisation that supported her with launching Beat Feet Academy of Dance. The Prince's Trust has now selected Miss Julie to be a Young Ambassador for their charity.
Out of 2000 people, the Trust only selects 50 Young Ambassadors each year. Young Ambassadors are role models, inspiring others through their personal experience of turning their lives around. As young leaders, they represent The Trust to other young people, public decision-makers, donors and the media.
Dance School of the Year Winner
2016 saw Beat Feet Academy of Dance selected as Finalists in the international competition Dance School of the Year for the 3 rd consecutive year! This is every year that the Academy has been open. This year, we had moved up a category which meant the competition would be very strong.
First round judge of the competition was Jonathan Gray who is editor of the magazine 'Dancing Times'. The finalist judges were Angela Rippon OBE and Liz Dale who is head of education and training at the Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET). Angela Rippon OBE (TV presenter and former chair of the English National Ballet) joined Anne Walker MBE at the glamorous award ceremony to present the winners prizes. This year the judges looked at dance schools from all over Europe and shortlisted 35 schools for the final of the international competition.
Before presenting the trophy, Angela Rippon OBE spoke about Beat Feet Academy of Dance:
"Although also a previous winner, their programme of work just goes on getting better and better and is outstanding in its range of opportunities and disciplines."
It was then announced that the Mickleover dance school was the overall category winner. Miss Julie was thrilled to be able to bring a trophy home to Derby for the second year in a row!
2015 Dance School of the Year Winner
Beat Feet Academy of Dance was again selected as Finalists for Dance School of the Year. Miss Julie attended the final round of the competition which was a black tie ball in Devon. The 25 shortlisted schools included finalists not just from the UK but as far as Switzerland, Belgium and Australia. Competition judges Kathryn Wade (Royal Ballet soloist and first director of English National Ballet School) and Jonathan Gray (Editor of the Dancing Times) joined Anne Walker MBE to present the awards. It was here that Beat Feet Academy of Dance was announced as the winners of their category, ranking higher than silver and gold.
At the presentation ceremony, Beat Feet Academy of Dance were honoured for their achievements by Kathryn Wade who praised the Academy for its success over the past year including performances, competitions, examination results, medal awards, holiday clubs and special events organised by the Academy.
2014 Dance School of the Year Finalist
Beat Feet Academy of Dance had been open for less than a year when the Academy was announced as a finalist at the Dance School of the Year awards.
This is an international competition which had finalists from as far as Italy. As a finalist, Miss Julie was invited to attend a black tie gala dinner with Wayne Sleep OBE.
2013 Prince's Trust backing
Miss Julie won the backing of the Prince's Trust charity that supports young people to open their own businesses.
Beat Feet Academy of Dance opened its doors in April 2013.