Phoenix High School, Hammersmith and Fulham

Song and Dance Style
Nice Work if You Can Get It
Salsa

Dance Artist
Richard Marcel

Rehearsal Director
Shrina Patel

Rehearsal Assistants
Helen Bucque

Performers
Ummo Ali, Shannon Francis-Locker, Sheryl Ganport, Kaisha Griffith, Aaron Jacobs, Candice Malcom, Yasmina Memarian, Bonnie Obeng-Dominguez, Chicara Powell, Jordan Ramsay-Jenkins, Romario Silbourne, Rasita Taylor

Phoenix High School is very excited to be part of this wonderful project and we would like to say a very big thank you to Richard Marcel who has done an amazing job with the choreography and has been fantastic with our students. It is not every day that students from inner London schools get to be part of such an amazing project in such a spectacular venue.

In the past Phoenix High School has had the opportunity to be involved in many Street Dance projects but this was the first time we decided to take part in a new genre, Salsa. The students had heard about and seen it on Strictly Come Dancing and were very excited to try something totally new.

The students picked up the basic salsa steps very quickly and were eager to get going on the project until they realised that they would have to do some partner work. The boys and girls had to dance together! The first few sessions were quite difficult for them but after the initial awkwardness things just started to flow and the rhythm took control. Rehearsal Director, Shrina Patel said: “Performing in such a historic venue is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am so pleased that our students have had the opportunity to participate in this fantastic project and will always remember where they first learnt salsa!”

The students, parents and staff involved in this project realised the magnitude of it and have given a 100 per cent commitment and effort. Students and staff were happy to give up lunch hours and extra time after school to ensure that this dance was the best dance possible. The students’ parents have been very supportive and understanding especially when it came to extra rehearsal time. Overall the pupils showed a surprising amount of dedication to such a novel and challenging project.

We feel proud to have introduced a bit of Latin America to inner city West London.

All photographs by Sheila Burnett

Back to main schools page