AcroCadabra is a unique act that combines skillful acrobatic and dance work with amazing magic and illusion. The group is made up of 33 school children from Spotlight Stage School in Birmingham.
The children have trained together at Spotlight Stage School from a young age, but AcroCadabra was only formed in 2017. The act was the brainchild of Spotlight principal Vicky Richards who wanted to take stage acrobatic work to the next level and give audiences something different and more spectacular.
The group first performed at the 2017 Dance World Cup in Germany where they won the World Title (17 Years & Under Acrobatic Groups) and were announced as the Best Overall Group in the entire competition. They have since won other competitions, most notably Arlene Phillips Best Dance Group when they performed with the dance legend as part of her UK tour.
AcroCadabra is a unique act that combines skillful acrobatic and dance work with amazing magic and illusion. The group is made up of 33 school children from Spotlight Stage School in Birmingham.
The children have trained together at Spotlight Stage School from a young age, but AcroCadabra was only formed in 2017. The act was the brainchild of Spotlight principal Vicky Richards who wanted to take stage acrobatic work to the next level and give audiences something different and more spectacular.
The group first performed at the 2017 Dance World Cup in Germany where they won the World Title (17 Years & Under Acrobatic Groups) and were announced as the Best Overall Group in the entire competition. They have since won other competitions, most notably Arlene Phillips Best Dance Group when they performed with the dance legend as part of her UK tour.
JESSICA BOND
Jessica is the daughter of Spotlight principal Vicky so has been dancing since she could walk. Over the last 2 years she has represented England at the Dance World Cup (Jersey 2016 & Germany 2017) winning 6 world titles and 2 silver medals in tap, musical theatre and acrobatics. She has also won dozens of other medals and trophies at regional competitions. She has performed twice at Disneyland Paris, once in a variety show in 2014 and then in a competition in 2015 where she won the Baby Stars Solo section.
Jessica has performed at Silverstone Race track for the MotoGP and at Wembley Stadium with popstar Foxes. She made her West End debut this year at the London Palladium and went on to appear Shaftesbury Theatre. Jessica has also performed at the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury (Arlene Phillips Hot Gossip UK tour), the Jersey Opera House (DWC winners gala), the Cresent Theatre in Birmingham (variety show) and 7 four night shows at The Core Theatre in Solihull (various). Jessica has previously recorded voiceover work for CBBC and has modelled for International Dance Supplies.
JESSICA BOND
ABI BRUGGER
Abi trained in ballet from a young age but only moved to Spotlight to start Tap, Modern, Gymnastics, Drama and Singing when she was 12. Since joining she has won 2 world titles and a silver medal at the 2016 and 2017 Dance World Cups as well as being part of the group that won the Most Outstanding U25 Group. Last year she was chosen to perform at the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury as part of the Arlene Phillips UK tour and went on to win Arlene Phillips’ Best Dance Troupe 2017.
This year she has already performed twice in the West End – at the London Palladium and the Shaftesbury Theatre. Abi has also performed at Wembley as a backing dancer for popstar Foxes and at Grand Central Station for West Bromwich Albion football club to reveal their new 2016 kit with the video going viral within hours.
ABI BRUGGER
ISSY BRUGGER
Before joining Spotlight Stage School age 11 Issy was an artistic gymnast who competed successfully regionally. Her performance credits since being a Spotlighter include the London Palladium (for Britain’s Got Talent), the Shaftesbury Theatre (children’s variety show), The Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury (Arlene Phillips UK tour), the Core Theatre in Solihull (variety shows) and both the U14 and U25 Winners Galas at the 2017 Dance World Cup in Germany.
Whilst in Germany representing her country Issy entered 2 routines and walked away with 2 world titles as well as a special trophy for being the Most Outstanding U14 Group and the Most Outstanding U25 Group in the entire competition.
ISSY BRUGGER
SAMANTHA CHAN
Samantha joined Spotlight age 5 and made her professional debut age 7 in the UK tour of Angelina Ballerina: the Mousical. She has gone on to perform at the Shaftesbury Theatre (West End), London Palladium (West End), Severn Theatre (Shrewsbury), The Core Theatre (Solihull), Silverstone Racetrack and Wembley Arena. She was a finalist in the 2018 IDTA Midlands Ballet Championships and has modelled for International Dance Supplies (catalogue and website).
She has represented England at 2 Dance World Cup finals (2016 & 2017) winning 5 golds and 1 silver medal as well as special awards for Most Outstanding U25 Group (2017), Most Outstanding U14 Group (2017) and Best U25 Modern Group (2016).
SAMANTHA CHAN
BEVERLEY COONEY
Beverley started dancing age 5 at Spotlight Stage School. She has represented her country at the last 3 Dance World Cups. In 2015 she travelled to Romania and won 2 golds / world titles and a silver medal. In 2016 she travelled to Jersey and won 2 gold medals / world titles as well as a special award for the Best U25 Modern Troupe. In 2017 she travelled to Germany and won 3 golds / world titles and a silver medal as well as 2 special awards for the Most Outstanding U14 Group and the Most Outstanding U25 Group.
Beverley has been invited to perform in all 5 Winners Galas over the last 3 years. Other theatre performances include Young Performers variety show at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Britain’s Got Talent at the London Palladium, Arlene Phillips show at the Theatre Severn and Bang at the Albany Theatre in Coventry.
BEVERLEY COONEY
RAIAZ FISHER
Raiaz did not start training until the age of 9 when she joined Spotlight’s Saturday school. Her talent in Drama and Singing, as well as in Dance and Acrobatics was clear from the start and she progressed rapidly. To date Raiaz has won 6 world titles and 2 silver medals at the world dance finals in Acrobatics, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop, as well as numerous regional titles.
In TV work she reached the final 16 in CBBCs Taking The Next Step. Performances include Shaftesbury Theatre (West End), London Palladium (West End), Theatre Severn (Shrewsbury), Jersey Opera House (Jersey) and Alexandra Theatre (Birmingham).
RAIAZ FISHER
AMIYAH GOODALL
Amiyah started dancing age 3 and has been a pupil at Spotlight Stage School for almost 15 years – she is currently the longest serving pupil at the school. Amiyah’s first professional show was playing a King’s Child in the King & I UK tour at the Birmingham Hippodrome. She went on to perform in the West End at Her Majesty’s Theatre, the London Palladium and the Shaftesbury Theatre. Amiyah has been involved in other prestigious performance events including at Disneyland Paris, Wembley Arena, Silverstone Racetrack and the National Exhibition Centre.
She gained a place on Team England for the 2016 Dance World Cup in Jersey and walked away with a gold medal for Acrobatic Dance and a silver medal for Hip Hop Dance, as well as the trophy for the Best Modern Group in the competition. Amiyah has also worked as a professional dancer for West Bromwich Albion and as a professional model for Urban Belle clothing.
AMIYAH GOODALL
CHARLOTTE GOODCHILD
Charlotte started dancing when she joined Spotlight age 5. Her first professional engagement was at the National Exhibition Centre performing alongside Shaun Williamson at the Boat and Caravan Show. She has gone on to appear several times in London’s West End; in Bring It All Back at Leicester Square Theatre, for Britain’s Got Talent at the London Palladium and in the Young Performers variety show at the Shaftesbury Theatre. She has performed at large stadiums including Wembley Arena, Wembley Stadium, on the main stage at the LG Arena and Silverstone Racetrack.
Other notable performances include Disneyland Paris, Midlands Arts Centre and The Core Theatre. Charlotte was part of the 2016 West Bromwich Albion new kit reveal performance at Grand Central Station. She has represented her country at the 2016 Dance World Cup winning a gold medal and a silver medal for Acrobatics and Hip Hop.
CHARLOTTE GOODCHILD
CHAELISSA GRAY
Chaelissa joined Spotlight Stage School age 4. Last year she won a principal part in Nativity the Musical and toured around England with the show for 5 months. Chaelissa was part of the development team for the show, sings solo on the original cast recording and appears on all the promotional TV and print adverts. She was also cast in the new Nativity film (Nativity Rocks: Danger in the Manager) due for release Christmas 2018. Chaelissa has just been accepted into Cub School to be trained up to play Young Nala in The Lion King (West End). Chaelissa has already appeared 3 times in the West End; with Louis Walsh at the Hammersmith Apollo, for Britain’s Got Talent at the London Palladium and in a children’s variety show at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
Other credits include performances at the Theatre Severn (Shrewsbury) for the Arlene Phillips UK tour and Silverstone Racetrack for the MotoGP. Chaelissa has represented England at the Dance World Cup in Jersey (2016) and Germany (2017) winning a total of 9 golds, 2 silvers and a bronze.
CHAELISSA GRAY
GRACE HAMMERSLEY
Grace has been dancing since she was 3 years old and joined Spotlight age 5. She has been a Junior Associate of the Royal Ballet School for the last 2 years and has just won a place on the prestigious Mid Associates Scheme. She has gained a place on Team England in both 2016 and 2017 winning a total of 8 golds, 2 silvers and 2 bronze medals at the Dance World Cup so far (Jersey & Germany). She has won DWC special awards for being in the Best U14 and Best U25 Modern Group in 2016 and the Most Outstanding U14 and U25 troupe in 2017.
Other notable performances include Disneyland Paris in 2014 and 2015, including leading out the main Disney parade, Wembley Stadium with popstar Foxes, Silverstone Racetrack, The Young Performers at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End and numerous shows at The Core Theatre Solihull.
GRACE HAMMERSLEY
JE’-NAYA HARRIS
Je’-naya Harris started dancing age 3 and joined Spotlight Stage School age 6. She was also previously part of the City of Birmingham Development Rhythmic Squad. To date she has won 2 world titles in Acrobatics and Tap and a silver medal in Musical Theatre, as well as numerous regional wins. Je’-naya created and self-published a children’s dance activity book to help fundraise for the stage school. This lead to TV appearances on Made in Birmingham and an interview with Positive Kids magazine.
Je’-naya has performed at Wembley Stadium, Silverstone Racetrack, the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End, The Core Theatre in Solihull, the Theatre Severn in Shewsbury and the Garrick Theatre in Lichfield. In September Je’-naya starts a top city school which she got into due to her dance ability.
JE’-NAYA HARRIS
KAITLYN HOLDOM
Kaitlyn started dancing at Spotlight Stage School age 4 and made her professional debut in the UK tour of Angelina Ballerina: the Mousical at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham. She has gone on to perform at the Shaftesbury Theatre (West End), Severn Theatre (Shrewsbury), The Core Theatre (Solihull) and The Albany Theatre (Coventry). She has danced at Silverstone Racetrack for the MotoGP and with popstar Foxes at Wembley Arena.
She has represented England at 2 Dance World Cup finals (2016 & 2017) winning 5 golds and 2 silver medal as well as special awards for the Most Outstanding U25 Group, Most Outstanding U14 Group and Best U25 Modern Group. In 2017 Kaitlyn was part of the group who won Arlene Phillips’ Best Dance Group.
KAITLYN HOLDOM
AMIYAH JOSEPHS
Amiyah has been dancing since the age of 4 and joined Spotlight Stage School when she had just turned 7. She is the reigning world champion in Acro Modern Solos winning gold at the 2016 Dance World Cup in Jersey (9 Years & Under) and the 2017 DWC in Germany (13 Years & Under). She also represented her country at the 2015 DWC in Romania. Over the last 3 years she has won 11 gold medals, 3 silver and 1 bronze at the world finals and was selected as the Team England Mascot in 2017 after winning the most medals of any Team England competitor at the 2016 event. She has performed twice at Disneyland Paris, once in a variety show in 2014 and then in a competition in 2015 where she won Runner-Up in Junior Duets and was chosen to lead out the Disney parade.
Amiyah has also performed in a children’s variety show (Shaftesbury Theatre, West End), MotoGP (Silverstone Racecourse), Arlene Phillips Hot Gossip show (Severn Theatre) and Bang! pop show (Albany Theatre). She has modelled for dancewear brands Simply Stella, Pointe Apparel and International Dance Supplies.
AMIYAH JOSEPHS
CIARA KEARNEY
Ciara started dancing age 3 as an Irish dancer and competed successfully at national level. She moved to Spotlight at the age of 8 when she realised she wanted to do more stage dancing, drama, singing and gymnastics. She was able to transfer her skills from Irish dance to her new training and quickly became proficient in all subjects, especially Acrobatics and Gymnastics. She has represented her country in 5 routines (tap, acrobatics and musical theatre) at an international level with Spotlight Stage School, twice in 2016 and 3 times in 2017, winning the gold medal / world title every time. Ciara has also won Best U14 Modern Group, Most Outstanding U14 Troupe and Most Outstanding U25 Troupe.
At the end of last year she successfully auditioned to represent the Midlands and perform in the show Arlene: the Glitz and the Glam. A few months later, after the UK had finished, the Spotlight troupe were announced as the national winners and crowned Arlen’s Best Dance Group 2017.
CIARA KEARNEY
NICOLE MANUMBRE
Nicole has been training at Spotlight Stage School since she was 3 years old. She played Young Nala in the UK tour of The Lion King for 13 months and appeared in King & I at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Other prestigious performances include a variety show at the Shaftesbury Theatre and the Arlene Phillips UK tour. Nicole won a scholarship to train and perform with the English Youth Ballet and performed in Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.
She has represented England at the Dance World Cup finals in 2015 (Romania), 2016 (Jersey) and 2017 (Germany) winning 3 gold and 4 silver medals in Acrobatics, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre, including 2 medals in the duet/trio category. She has been nominated for IDTA scholarships in Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz and has reached the final in both the Midlands Ballet Championships and the National Theatre Dance Awards.
NICOLE MANUMBRE
CAITLIN MCDONOUGH
Caitlin started dancing age 3 and joined Spotlight Stage School age 5. Her performance credits from the last 13 years are vast and include twice at Disneyland Paris (including being the leader of the main Disney parade), National Exhibition Centre, Indigo2 (O2 Arena), Her Majesty’s Theatre, London Palladium, Shaftesbury Theatre, Wembley Stadium, Wembley Area, Silverstone Racetrack (main stage performer), Theatre Severn and Albany Theatre, as well as numerous regional theatres. She was part of the West Bromwich Albion’s 2016 kit reveal team, the video of which went viral and was watched by millions across the world. She was also a backing dancer for a music video for popstar Intenso.
Caitlin successfully auditioned for the prestigious Tap Attack company as well as for the MIDAS extra training scheme. Caitlin has represented England twice; 2015 in Romania and 2017 in Germany, winning 1 gold medal / world title and 2 silver medals. Over the years she has also won countless medals, trophies and titles at regional and national competitions, including the Most Promising Dancer award.
CAITLIN MCDONOUGH
CHARLEY MCMAHON
Charley joined Spotlight Stage School age 3. She made her professional debut in the UK tour of Oliver! playing a workhouse boy for 4 months at the Birmingham Hippodrome. As well as a keen dancer and acrobat, she is a talented actress; taking on the lead role of Macbeth at the Redditch Theatre and successfully auditioning for the National Youth Theatre (NYT). She has performed at Disneyland Paris, in the West End, at Wembley Stadium, at Silverstone Racetrack, at the National Exhibition Centre, the Jersey Opera House and as part of Arlene Phillips’ UK tour. She was part of the West Bromwich Albion new kit reveal performance group and has also modelled extensively for International Dance Supplies over several years.
Charley has been on Team England for the Dance World Cup in 2015, 2016 and 2017 winning a total of 4 gold medals / world titles and 3 silver medals. She has also been nominated for numerous IDTA scholarships after gaining some of the highest dance exam marks in the country.
CHARLEY MCMAHON
SAVANNAH MILLER
Savannah only started dancing 2 years ago, but Spotlight principal Vicky Richards immediately noticed her unique talent in acrobats and gymnastics. Savannah’s specialty is contortion. Savannah was thrown in the deep end with her first ever experience of competition being the international Dance World Cup finals in Germany, involved 47 different countries! Savannah did incredibly well winning 3 gold medals / world titles and was a member of both groups that won the Outstanding Group award (U14 and U25).
Savannah went on to win solo gold in a regional competition as well as Arlene Phillips Best Dance Group after performing at the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury. Savannah’s West End debut was at the London Palladium and she has also performed in a children’s variety show at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London.
SAVANNAH MILLER
EMILIE MOIST
Emilie joined Spotlight at the late age of 13 with no previous training. She was inspired by her older sister Lucy who was a member of the school for 9 years and is now training full-time in London to be a professional dancer. Emilie was part of the troupe that was crowned Arlene Phillips Best Dance Group after being chosen from all the schools in the area to represent the Midlands and perform at the Theatre Severn as part of Arlene’s UK tour. The prize for winning Arlene’s Best Dance Group is a visit and workshop with the dance legend at Spotlight Stage School.
Emilie has also appeared in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of The Tempest, in a children’s variety show at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End, at the London Palladium and at Silverstone Racetrack for the MotoGP.
EMILIE MOIST
LEILA MURRAY
Leila did not start dancing until she was 7, but was a natural from the start. She has represented England at the Dance World Cup twice. In 2016 she travelled to Jersey and won 2 gold medals and 1 silver medal in Acrobatics and Hip Hop, along with the award for the Best U25 Modern Group. In 2017 she travelled to Germany and won 3 gold medals and 1 silver medal in Acrobatics and Musical Theatre, along with awards for the Most Outstanding U14 and the Most Outstanding U25 Group.
Leila has performed at Disneyland Paris, the London Palladium, the Shaftesbury Theatre, the Theatre Severn and the Core Theatre. She gained a place on the MIDAS dance training scheme and also modelled for Prima Dancewear.
LEILA MURRAY
HOLLY PALMER
Holly started her training at Spotlight Stage School when she was 4 years old. Her first big role was playing the title role in Annie at the Lichfield Garrick when she was 9. She has successfully auditioned for the Team England dance squad for the past 3 years and has represented her country in Romania, Jersey and Germany, placing in every section she has entered on an international level. To date she has brought home 4 world titles, 3 silvers medals and a bronze medal in Tap, Acrobatics, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre, as well as special awards for the Best Quartet, the Best Modern Group and the Most Outstanding Group. West End credits include Her Majesty’s Theatre, the London Palladium, the Shaftesbury Theatre and Leicester Square Theatre. Regional theatre credits include the The Grand Theatre (Wolverhampton), Lichfield Garrick (Lichfield), Theatre Severn (Shrewsbury), Midlands Arts Centre (Birmingham), The Core Theatre (Solihull).
She has also performed at Disneyland Paris, Wembley Stadium, Wembley Arena, Indigo2 (O2 Arena), LG Arena main stage, Silverstone racetrack and in a professional flash-mob for West Bromwich Albion at Grand Central Station. She has been nominated for numerous external scholarships after gaining some of the highest marks in the country for IDTA Modern, IDTA Freestyle and LCM Singing exams.
HOLLY PALMER
NATHAN PARKINSON
Nathan joined Spotlight Stage School age 6. His professional debut was in the Angelina Ballerina UK tour as a juvenile dancer. He has also performed at Disneyland Paris twice, in the Disney parade, in the West End (Leicester Square Theatre, London Palladium and Shaftesbury Theatre), at Wembley Arena, Wembley Stadium and as part of the Arlene Phillips UK tour. He was awarded a full scholarship by Phil Winston to attend the Theatreworks summer school and has modelled for International Dance Supplies, Pointe Apparel, Father Hudsons and Birmingham Children’s Trust. Nathan reached the final 30 in CBBCs Taking The Next Step 2016, won a silver medal for Musical Theatre solos in an international competition in Paris, gained the highest mark across all London College of Music singing exams in the Midlands and has gained additional trophies at regional competitions for being the Best Boy and gaining the Highest Mark.
He has represented his country at the Dance World Cup finals for the last 3 years travelling to Romania, Jersey and Germany to win 8 world titles, 4 silvers and a bronze, including solo gold, solo silver and solo bronze. Nathan was also part of dances that won special awards for Best Quartet, Best Modern Troupe and Most Outstanding Group (x2).
NATHAN PARKINSON
LAYLA QUAID
Layla has only been at Spotlight Stage School for 18 months, but has already achieved so much in that time. She was cast as Cute Mary in Nativity the Musical UK tour (2017/2018) and went on to be cast in Nativity Rocks! – the new film in the Nativity series due out in November 2018. She was part of Team England at the Dance World Cup in Germany last year and won 3 world titles and a silver medal in Acrobatics and Musical Theatre.
She has also performed with Spotlight at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End and at the Theatre Severn as part of Arlene Phillip’s UK tour. Layla is an ambassador for both Move It! Shake It! Dance conventions and Razzle Dazzle dancewear. Before her training at Spotlight Layla was a national freestyle dance champion.
LAYLA QUAID
MELODY RHODES
Melody is 17 years old and the oldest member of the group. She joined Spotlight age 5. She successfully auditioned to be a member of the English Youth Ballet and performed Sleeping Beauty at the Wolverhampton Grand. She was a dancer in the West Bromwich Albion new kit reveal at Grand Central Station and performed at the National Exhibition Centre at the Boat & Caravan show. Other performances include Disneyland Paris, the Indigo2, Wembley Arena and the Arlene Phillips UK tour. West End appearances include Her Majesty’s Theatre, the London Palladium and the Shaftesbury Theatre. She starred in an episode of documentary series Evil Up Close and appears as a dancer in a music video for Intenso. She has represented England at 3 Dance World Cup finals in Acrobatics, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre winning 1 gold / world title and 3 silver medals.
She has been nominated for 3 international scholarships by the International Dance Teachers Association in Ballet and Freestyle and was ranked 6th nationally at the 2016 event.
MELODY RHODES
KASEY ROBINSON
Kasey has been a pupil at Spotlight Stage School from the age of 4 and has always been a high achiever. As well as notable success in regional and national competitions, Kasey has achieved international success winning the Senior Musical theatre solo section at a competition in Paris despite being the youngest competitor, as well as 4 world titles, 3 silver medals and a bronze medal in Acrobatics, Musical Theatre, Tap and Hip Hop at the Dance World Cup events in Romania (2015), Jersey (2016) and Germany (2017). At the world finals she was also selected for additional awards including Best Quartet (2015), Best Modern Group (2016) and Most Outstanding Group (2017). Kasey won a full scholarship to Laine Theatre Arts summer school and has been nominated for countless IDTA scholarships in all disciplines; Ballet, Tap, Modern and Freestyle often reaching the finals and receiving special commendations. At the 2018 IDTA Midlands Ballet Championships Kasey placed 3rd in the senior section. Kasey made her West End debut age 9 at Her Majesty’s Theatre and has since performed at the London Palladium and Shafesbury Theatre.
Other prestigious performances include Disneyland Paris, 02 Arena, Wembley Arena, the main stage at the LG Arena and being chosen to lead out the Disney parade. Kasey took the lead role of Annie at the Lichfield Garrick and was part of the Arlene Phillips’ UK tour.
KASEY ROBINSON
HARRIET ROGERS
Harriet joined Spotlight Stage School when she was 3 years old. She has performed in the West End at the London Palladium for Britain’s Got Talent and at the Shaftesbury Theatre for a children’s variety show. She was part of the group that was asked to represent the Midlands at the Shrewsbury leg of the Arlene Phillips UK tour and went on to win Arlene Phillips Best Dance Group of 2017. Harriet has also performed in over a dozen shows at The Core Theatre in Solihull.
At the Dance World Cup in Jersey (2016) Harriet won 2 golds and 1 silver medal in Acrobatics and Hip Hop as well as the Best Modern Troupe award. At the Dance World Cup in Germany (2017) Harriet won 3 golds and 1 silver in Acrobatics and Musical Theatre as well as the Most Outstanding Group trophy at both the U14 and U25 Winners Gala.
HARRIET ROGERS
MEGAN SHADE
Megan joined Spotlight age 8 and made her professional debut as a model for BHS in 2007. She went on to work with Samantha Womack in the Midlands leg of the South Pacific UK tour and with Shaun Williamson at the Boat & Caravan Club Show at the NEC. Her West End debut was in 2011 at Her Majesty’s Theatre Royal and she appeared again this year at the Shaftesbury Theatre and London Palladium. She was part of a team of professional dancers that helped unveil West Bromwich Albion’s new kit at Grand Central Station and has also performed at Silverstone Racecourse. She has represented her country twice at the Dance World Cup – the biggest dance competition in the world – winning 2 gold and 2 silver medals.
Her competition success extends to winning Arlene Phillips Best Dance Group after performing with Arlene in her Glitz and Glam 2017 tour of the UK. Megan’s most recent success has been winning a place on the performance team for the Commonwealth Games Handover event.
MEGAN SHADE
SHINGAI SHOKO
Shingai started training at Spotlight when she was just 3 years old. She has performed at Disneyland Paris, in the West End, in Arlene Phillip’s Hot Gossip UK tour and as a backing dancer for pop show Bang at the Albany Theatre in Coventry. She has represented her country 3 times winning numerous world titles, medals and special awards. In Romania (2015) she won 2 world titles and a silver medal and was asked to perform in the U14 winner’s gala show. In Jersey (2016) she won 4 world titles and 1 silver and 1 bronze, was invited to perform in both the younger and older winner’s gala and was a member of the 2 groups that won the Best U14 Modern Group and the Best U25 Modern Group.
In 2017 she won 3 world titles and 1 silver medal, was invited to perform in both the younger and older winner’s gala and was a member of the 2 groups that won the Most Outstanding Overall U14 Group and the Most Outstanding Overall U25 Group. Shingai has also modelled extensively for the International Dance Supplies catalogue and website.
SHINGAI SHOKO
PHOEBE SPRASON
Phoebe started dancing age 4 and joined Spotlight Stage School age 8. Since joining Spotlight she has performed in a cabaret show at Disneyland Paris, for Britain’s Got Talent at the London Palladium, The Young Performers variety show at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End, the Arlene Phillips Hot Gossip UK tour at the Theatre Severn, Sleeping Beauty with the English Youth Ballet at the Wolverhampton Grand and the Bang pop show at the Albany Theatre.
At the 2017 Dance World Cup in 2017 involving 18,000 dancers from 47 countries she won 3 gold medals / world titles and a silver medal in Acrobatics and Musical theatre, plus the trophy for the Most Outstanding Under 14 Group and the Most Outstanding Under 25 Group.
PHOEBE SPRASON
DARCEY STANNERS
Darcey joined Spotlight just after her 4th birthday. From a young age she has won countless titles, trophies and awards including Most Promising Dancer at regional competitions. She has been nominated for IDTA Tap and Freestyle scholarships for gaining some of the highest exam marks in the country and was a finalist in the 2018 Midlands Senior Ballet Championships. She was a dancer at the West Bromwich Albion 2016 kit launch, as well as performing at other sporting events including Silverstone Racetrack for the MotoGP and Wembley Stadium for the Saraceans rugby match.
Theatre appearances include shows at Her Majesty’s Theatre, the London Palladium, the Shafesbury Theatre, Theatre Severn and The Core Theatre. Darcey has won 2 world titles in Acrobatic Dance as well as silver and bronze world medals for Tap, Musical Theatre and Hip Hop. She is also a model for International Dance Supplies catalogue and website.
DARCEY STANNERS
SOPHIA TEJERO
Sophia joined Spotlight just after her 5th birthday. She played Young Nala in the UK tour of The Lion King continually for 18 months and also appeared in King & I UK tour as a King’s Child. She has performed with the English Youth Ballet in productions of Giselle and Swan Lake at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, as well as in a variety show at the Shaftesbury Theatre and the Arlene Phillips UK tour at the Theatre Severn. Sophia was a grid dancer at the MotoGP (Silverstone Racetrack). Sophia was awarded 3rd place in the National Freestyle scholarships in 2016 despite being the youngest competitor, has received scholarship nominations for Tap dance and has reached the finals in Ballet championships.
She has represented England at the Dance World Cup finals in 2015 (Romania), 2016 (Jersey) and 2017 (Germany) winning 1 gold and 4 silver medals in Acrobatics, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre, as well as being part of the Most Outstanding Group. Sophia has modelled on numerous occasions for the International Dance Supplies catalogue and website.
SOPHIA TEJERO
CHANTELLE TONOLETE
Chantelle is the youngest member of the group and joined Spotlight when she was 5. Chantelle won the lead role of ‘Star Child’ in Nativity! The Musical and worked on the show for 5 months living away from home and touring the UK, as well as featuring in the TV promotional adverts. She has just finished filming the 4th feature film in the Nativity movie series which will be released later this year and sings solo on the original cast recording of Nativity! The Musical CD soundtrack. She has won 10 world titles, 2 silver medals and 2 bronze medals in modern, lyrical, tap, musical theatre and acrobatics at the last 2 Dance World Cups (Jersey 2016 and Germany 2017) including solo gold and solo bronze.
In 2017 she won the most medals out of everybody on Team England. She has performed at the Jersey Opera House (2016 Dance World Cup gala), Wembley Stadium and as a featured act in Arlene Phillips Hot Gossip tour of the UK. Chantelle is also a Junior Associate of the Royal Ballet.
CHANTELLE TONOLETE
RHIANNON WHITE
Rhiannon joined Spotlight Stage School age 7 whilst still training in Rhythmic Gymnastics. Before leaving Gymnastics to concentrate on her stage school training Rhiannon was the Under 9 West Midlands Champion in 2014 and the Under 10 Champion in 2015 and was also picked for the Great Britain National Rhythmic Gymnastic Squad team. After turning her attention to dance she went on to represent her country at the Bloch Dance World Cup in both 2016 and 2017 winning 4 gold medals and a silver, as well as extra trophies for being in the Most Outstanding Groups and the Best Modern Group. Rhiannon is the recently crowned Junior Champion of the 2018 IDTA Midlands Ballet Championships and was selected to work with leading Contemporary Dance company Motionhouse. She appears as a featured model for International Dance Supplies and, as well as the main catalogue and website, Rhiannon modelled for the Limited Edition catalogue and is used on all the IDS promotional material (business cards, flyers, etc.).
Other performances include; Wembley Stadium with Grammy award winning popstar Foxes, the MotoGP at Silverstone Racetrack, the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End, the Albany Theatre in Coventry, The Core Theatre in Solihull and the Theatre Severn with Arlene Phillips. Rhiannon was part of the Spotlight group named as Arlene Phillip’s Best Dance Group following her UK tour.
RHIANNON WHITE