A DANCE teacher has landed a national choreography award.

Street dance group The Remedy from BodyRockerz School of Dance, based in Milnsbridge, were put through their paces to see their teacher Ashleigh Lewis crowned Young Choreographer of The Year.

The award, which was only open to approved dance teachers aged between 21 and 24, saw 13 teams from across the country go head to head at Manchester last month.

She said: “I picked my street dance group to take to the competition because they have done well at other competitions and they had all been working really hard.

“I had devised the routine over months and then had to teach it to the group.

“The music had a drumming beat and the dancers had drum sticks so they could do some intricate patterns.”

The 15-strong group was made up of BodyRockerz’ 14-17 years olds who donned military-style caps and jackets for the competition.

The 24-year-old added: “I am delighted to have won. I have never entered this competition before and it is the last year I can, so all that work has paid off.

“I think the judges were looking for energy, formations and sharpness and my routine must have impressed them.

“It was all down to me whether the dancers could perform the routine accurately and they did me proud.”

Fellow qualified dance teacher Sophie Hutchings also made it to the final with BodyRockerz Freestyle Team Undiscovered.

Barbara Sharples, of the International Dance Teachers’ Award which set up the competition, was on the judging panel.

Principal of BodyRockerz Amanda Johnson said: “Both The Remedy and Undiscovered gave an amazing performance and had done well to achieve their place on stage in the final selection

“I am really proud of Ashleigh and Sophie as I’ve seen them blossom from being young pupils to young choreographers achieving great standards.”

Anyone interested should contact bodyrockerz@hotmail.co.uk