Hundreds of children from Mini Professionals Dance Academy perform in showcase at Oxford Playhouse

After seven weeks of rehearsing, 600 children aged between 3 and 18 from Mini Professionals Dance Academy (MPDA) which has groups in Bicester and Oxford, danced - on what would have been for some - their first stage yet on June 29 and 30.

The showcase which featured a variety of entertaining pieces from ballet numbers, hip hop dances, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre and funk, was to celebrate the school's 5th anniversary.

MPDA's 'Elite Squad' – which is invite only - also performed and demonstrated some of the pieces they have performed all over the country.

One mother, Faye Tennant, from Bicester, said: “We loved the production. I thought it was an incredibly professional performance by the students. There were really slick change overs and it was fabulous to see such talented and hard working dancers. We loved it."

Another mother, Sarah Beauchamp, who watched her daughter in the Sunday show, said she was “blown away” by the performance.

She said: “The whole thing was just amazing. I have no idea how you co-ordinate that type of event but realise it takes an awful amount of work. I really did think it was the best dance show I have ever seen.

"The improvement in my daughter too was great, so what Miss Bethany has done with her in a relatively short amount of time is awesome, and best of all my daughter loves it and comes out buzzing each week – thank you.”

MPDA was founded by Principal Bethany Gorton five years ago and its core aim is to instil confidence and self-belief in its dancers.

The number of students she trains has increased term after term.

The dance teacher, who plans to open dance studios across Oxford, said: “The parents gave us some wonderful feedback and the students all had an incredible time. For many it was their first experience of being on stage, and despite it being the hottest weekend of the year so far, this didn't affect the quality of their performance at all.

"We definitely plan to do another show at the Playhouse next year. The Playhouse fed back to us that we were one of the most organised productions they'd had hire out the theatre which was a real honour to hear.”

The dance school has a team of nine professional and fully qualified dance teachers who encourage creativity, self-expression and confidence in all their students.

Ms Gorton added: "I am immensely proud of all who were involved in the production."

The dance school currently meet at two venues in the Bicester area including Kingsmere Community Centre and The Manor on Weston-on-the-Green and meets at 14 other locations in Oxford such as Jericho Community Centre and The Dragon School in Summertown.

A mother from Wolvercote, Oxford, Myriam Pelaez, said: "Thank you for all the time and effort you have put into the show. It has certainly paid off, we’ve been blown away by the display of talent and joy."