As AEYates is now part of the Charitable Trust, we aim to help as many organisations as we can, This month Dance Envy reached out for a helping hand and this their story.
The principals of Dance Envy, are Vicky Branton along with her partner Katie Geddes.
Predominantly, they are a Latin and Ballroom Dance School based at Dance Envy Studio, 56 London Road, Rainham, Kent, ME8 6YX. The dancers range in age from 5 -18 years old and although it is mainly young ladies who attend the school, they do have a couple of young boys who dance with them too.
The dance school has been running for over 17 years now formerly known as Vicky’s School of Dance, last year Katie and Vicky, after many years of training the teams together, decided to rebrand the school and become Dance Envy. Between them they have over 20 years experience in the teaching of Latin and Ballroom Dancing.
Both of them have also competed, with Katie at the highest of levels, becoming UK Champion on the open circuit.
Although, they attend various competitions throughout the year, the pivotal event in their dancing calendar, is competing at the British Juvenile Latin and Ballroom Formation Championships in Blackpool. This is a prestigious event held in the Blackpool Winter Gardens Empress Ballroom and the teams train throughout the year in order to prepare for this.
Both Vicky and Katie are extremely proud of all their achievements, last year alone the students excelled all their expectations and made the finals, placing 5th in the United Kingdom with their Junior team.
There is however, many expenses connected with the running of the dance school and performing at a competitive level. The Dance School, Dance Envy, rely solely on the support from all the parents and their efforts in fund-raising activities to meet these costs. So far, these have included Pamper Evenings, Bingo nights, Quiz Nights, Supermarket Bag packing and other sponsored events.
Although the dancers are required to pay a monthly fee to participate in a formation team, this really only covers the cost of their tuition and studio rental charges.
The costumes, shoes and accessories that is required, have to be purchased in order to attend these Professional events, this means that more often than not, they are left with a financial shortfall, even taking into account the monies raised through their fund-raising activities.
AEYates Charitable Trust, donation helps towards covering the cost of the children’s costumes, to give you an idea, most teams are challenged with the prospect of raising in excess of £4000 per team. So every little helps for these children and young adults to continue to follow their dream.
Dance Envy, as Fred Astaire on said “Do it big, do it right, and do it with style”
If you feel you can help in any way, do not hesitate in contacting Sarah Vaughan enquiries@danceenvy.co.uk or through the website Dance Envy.
