February saw the staging of the eagerly awaited Dance Festival. An appreciative audience of families and friends created an encouraging atmosphere in the Ellis and Kennedy theatre, as Pippa Beaumont’s AS and A2 dancers, together with members of Loreto’s in-house dance company, presented a varied and challenging programme of contemporary dance. Interpreting the work of renowned practitioners, such as Jasmin Vardimon, Alvin Ailey and Akram Khan, the dancers worked in groups, duos and solo, showcasing their technical abilities and choreographic creativity. Highlights included some memorable solo and duo performances and a splendid finale, a group work inspired by the music and traditions of the Maasai tribe.

The dancers performed against a simple white backdrop, lit expertly by Tony Fennell, with music ranging from Nina Simone to more avant garde pieces. The dancers will now take their pieces into the examination assessments with renewed confidence and optimism.