A Chance to Dance

Welcome from Alesha Dixon, Spokesperson for Summertime

(The following text is reproduced from the Summertime performance programme)

Above: Alesha Dixon outside the Royal Albert Hall (Photograph by Sheila Burnett)

When I was a little girl one of my dreams was to learn to dance. However, the closest I ever got to dance lessons was during PE at school as my mum couldn’t afford to send me to professional classes. I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to achieve my childhood dream when I took part in Strictly Come Dancing where I was taught by, and danced with, Matthew Cutler who is a brilliant professional dancer.

The young people you will see performing today have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity that I would have loved at their age. They’ve received professional dance tuition, from some of the best and most talented dancers in the world, and the schools and their young people have worked with three really famous organisations from the dance industry: the Royal Albert Hall, English National Ballet and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.

I truly believe that dance can transform lives as it provides many positive benefits for everyone, but especially young people. They are taught the discipline that dancing brings and they learn to use dance as a way to express emotion and to communicate with others.

Today’s young people live in a world where there is a real lack of positive role models for them to look up to. I wanted to be involved in Summertime because the project provides a multitude of good role models; I am so proud to be the Spokesperson for a project that encourages and inspires young people in a positive way. The Dance Artists, teachers and everyone who is involved in this project are individuals that young people can look up to and aspire to be like.

I am sure that all of our performers feel so proud and privileged to dance for you today on the magnificent stage of the Royal Albert Hall. Be amazed and inspired – enjoy the show.

Alesha Dixon