Page 23 - Autumn 2019 Echo draft v4

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Students Perform at Silverstone F1 grand Prix Qualifying Session

Ivybridge Community College students took centre stage in the Pro-excel Mass Movement Dance project as
they performed at the 2019 Silverstone F1 grand Prix Qualifying Session. The performance, which was the
biggest event of its type since the 2012 olympics opening ceremony, saw 40 Ivybridge gymnasts and dancers
performing alongside more than 1,500 other dancers from across the UK and the USA.

The talented dancers, including gymnasts and gCSe, A level and Dance Academy students, presented a
stunning ten minute performance, including three interlinked pieces.
organised by the Pro-excel Dance Mass Movement Company students prepared for the event by taking part in
a rigorous rehearsal schedule in the weeks leading up to their performance. This included Dance Workshops
that were led by professionals from the Pro excel movement. Following the performance, the students got the
opportunity to tour the race track before watching the Craig David Presents TS5 show.

“It was an amazing experience for all those students who took part,” said helen Reddy, head of Performing
Arts. “Formula one is the most watched sport in the world, so to be given the opportunity to be a part of that
and be showcased in the centre of such a wonderful event is a memory our students will always treasure. The

performances were set to three diverse pieces of music - The greatest Show, Believer by Imagine Dragons
and Black or White by Michael Jackson.

“Mass Movement Dance is quite a spectacle,” added helen, “and it’s breath-taking to see a huge number of
students performing the same well-practiced moves.”

Students from the College travelled with and performed alongside honiton gymnastics Club gymnasts, who
were at the centre of the 1,500 dancers performing a bespoke acrobatic gymnastics routine. Six gymnasts from
the College, Reece Parkin, Alfie Westerman, Abi Sandford, Megan Wood, lydia Dodds and Jessica Rouse, were
chosen to be part of the honiton gymnastics Club piece.
Ambition