Alton Convent School is delighted to announce that 12 year old Sophie in Form 1B won The Fonteyn Nureyev Young Dancers Competition on Sunday 13th April. Over many weeks Sophie has been training exhaustively to make her way through the various heats to reach Sunday's final at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London. As one of twenty finalists, she danced before a panel comprising Dame Antoinette Sibley DBE, Sir John Tooley and Wayne Sleep OBE. The dancers performed exclusively choreographed variations, choreographed for the competition by Gillian Lynne, in front of a live audience and the judges.

There were two levels competing on Sunday and Sophie won the Level 1 competition for dancers between the ages of 10 and under 13. Dancers were judged on technique, music, performance, and a combination of strength with feminity and character. She was named as “Young Dancer of the Year” in her level and was presented with a beautiful glass trophy and £1500 prize money.