YOUNG dancers from Jersey are set to jet off to Paris to perform at Disneyland in a once-in-a-lifetime show that will top off months of preparation, featuring Disney songs and quick changes between three different costumes.
The 22 dancers from Just Move Dance Studios, aged between 6 and 14, successfully auditioned for the Disney Performing Arts programme last September.
They have been rehearsing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – on top of their normal dance classes – to perfect their 20-minute show, “Dancin Fool”.
To be selected, they went through two rounds of auditions and prepared eight routines that incorporate Disney songs like “It’s a Small World” and “Zero to Hero”.
Dance teachers Danielle Brien and Paris Nield divided up the choreography between each other, taking inspiration from different styles of jazz as well as receiving feedback from Disney.
She said the park has “strict” checks on shows to make sure they are child-friendly.
Some of them are also set to feature in the theme park’s pre-parade show – which Miss Brien likened to a larger-scale version of the dances that introduce the Battle of Flowers – featuring numbers choreographed by Disney.
They will be wearing three different costumes and had to master quick changes in which they only have 40 seconds to be ready for a new number.
“It was hard work at times for them,” Miss Brien said.
“All the children have really improved with their dance ability.”
Beyond their dance skills, she praised how the all-girl team had picked up life skills like team work, commitment and hard work.
Before the start of the project, she held a meeting with families so they would know what they were getting into – with an intense rehearsal schedule and some parents getting involved with fundraising, too.
Cake and jewellery sales as well as bag packing helped them finance the projects. One of the girls’ parents has a restaurant and sold cakes there, Miss Brien said.
Corporate sponsors covered two out of the three sets of costumes, she added.
Miss Brien said she hoped to make the show “really enjoyable and memorable”, adding that it would be “an amazing experience” for the dancers.
The team from Just Move Dance Studio are scheduled to perform on 27 May at 4pm on the Videopolis Stage at Disneyland Paris. Their fundraiser is at gofundme.com/f/help-the-just-move-dance-studios-disney-girls.
