Courtney on track for future success

Courtney Burns with teacher Rebecca Jarvis

A FREESTYLE dancer enjoyed success in two routines at an international contest in Norway.

Courtney Burns (14), from Holts, is a student at the Pure Dance Academy in Cromford Street, Derker.

She achieved first place in a solo performance and third place in a slow dance category at the competition, called Back On Track.

Courtney is taught by dance tutor Rebecca Jarvis, who runs the Derker dance academy, which teaches children and adults a range of dance styles.

Rebecca has also been shortlisted in the Oldham Business Awards for her work in developing the business.

Speaking about the success in Norway, Courtney’s mum Natalie (32) said: “We were ecstatic with Courtney’s performances. She made us so proud. She’s only been dancing for five years so its fantastic for her to be achieving so much already. It’s a massive achievement for her.”

Looking to the future, she said: “I’ve spoken to her dance teacher and we think that she can use this success in Norway to really push on. Dancing is Courtney’s life so it would be brilliant if she could eventually become a teacher. If she keeps performing like she did in Norway, who knows what might happen?”

Courtney, a St Damian’s High School pupil, has been sponsored by Cheshire-based dancewear firm Pose Freestyle Design. The firm recently extended its support for another 12 months.

In the summer, Pure Dance Academy students won 11 regional titles in one day. It entered 41 dancers in the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) regional heat, picking up 82 trophies in total.

It means that every dancer from Pure qualified in at least one category to represent the region in the national IDTA finals to be held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens in November.