Youngsters from a Derby primary school will be drawing inspiration from the ESS Surf instructor Will Hinton, at a special dance workshop taking place at Merrill College, Derbyshire

Upbeat Dance is staging the dance workshop at Merrill College for pupils from Moorhead Primary School in order to choreograph a routine for a special dance show at the Assembly Rooms on 23 February.

The show itself will feature more than 300 people from pre-school age up to adults and is designed to celebrate all that’s great about Britain.  As a result, the choreography will look to depict everything from our country’s music, arts and sport to fashion and even the ‘Great British weather’.  Upbeat Dance is currently holding an in-house competition to name the show. 

The theme of the Moorhead Primary School pupil’s routine will be extreme seaside sports.  As a result, William Hinton, owner of Escape Surf School in Newquay, has been invited to the workshop at Merrill College to demonstrate a variety of different surfing techniques.  The pupils and dance teacher Jenny Hinton (Wills Mum!!)  will then look to incorporate these moves into a contemporary dance routine.

“It’s fair to say that the last year has been pretty miserable for everyone – but we believe there’s plenty that’s still great about Britain.  As a result, Upbeat Dance and Inspire Dance Co wanted to put on a show that will celebrate Britain and bring a little cheer to Derby,” said Jenny.

“The workshop will not only give pupils the chance to learn a routine but to also look at the techniques used in a totally unrelated sport and then work together to incorporate these into the dance,” added Jenny