Dancers sweep audience through fantasy worlds

Pips Dance Academy show at Berkhamsted Centenary Theatre

Pips – passion, inspire, perform, succeed. These core values which set the foundation of Pips Dance Academy were spectacularly evident at a recent show at Berkhamsted’s Centenary Theatre, attended by Lyn Drummond.

Pips was formed in Chalfont St Peter in 2019 by husband and wife duo, Scott Coldwell and Pippa Fisher-Coldwell to provide all ages and abilities with excellent dance training.

The show, Portals of Pips, swept the audience on a breathtaking dance journey where each world revealed an exhilarating realm of rhythm, colour and imagination.

Some 174 Pips performers aged from 3 to 18 years, 30 guest dancers, and others from the local Chalfont primary schools took part.

Rapid scene changes included Toy Story to Star Wars, the candyfloss world of Barbie and Ken, the Land of Oz, scenes and music from Wicked and, in a grand finale, the wizardry of Harry Potter.

The academy’s head girl, Sophie Porter, 15, who joined four years ago, says it is one of a kind because no other school she knows of provides such a wide range of non-traditional dance styles. Sophie is part of an ambassador scheme helping very young children during their classes and in stage shows.

Melanie Henry, Pips financial administrator, said: ‘My son is 15. He started with Pips at 8 years old and has loved his journey so far. He is one of the many SEN (special educational needs) children we have and when school and adolescence can be tough, Pips is a place where he can express himself through dance.

‘Being a male dancer is difficult as they navigate school peers and friend groups. What Pips has given him through dance, competitions, festivals and other opportunities has kept his love for dance evolving.

‘We have many dancers who have gone on to dance colleges, embarking on a career of dance, be that in teaching and/or performing. Given that we started in 2019, we have yet to see some of these students graduate.’ she said.

Find out more at www.pipsdanceacademy.co.uk or contact at pips@pipsdanceacademy.co.uk or 07893 947701.