EDA NEWS
HEADING TOWARDS YEAR 5
2025/2026 SEASON
Welcome Back to a NEW Dance Season at EDA!
We’re thrilled to welcome all our dancers - both familiar faces and new students - to the 2025/2026 dance year at Eminence Dance Academy! After a refreshing summer, our studios in Yeovil are buzzing with energy, ready for another year of growth, creativity, and inspiration.
This year promises more opportunities to learn, perform, and shine, with exciting new classes, workshops, and performance opportunities planned across all age groups. Whether you’re taking your first steps into dance or continuing your journey with us, we’re here to support every dancer in reaching their full potential.
We can’t wait to see the studios filled with smiles, determination, and the love of dance that makes EDA so special. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead, let’s make this milestone year unforgettable!
EMINENCE ANNUAL SHOWCASE
RAD Exams 2022
Each year, Eminence Dance Academy brings our entire community together for a spectacular showcase, giving every dancer the chance to share their passion, progress, and hard work on stage in a professional theatre setting. It’s always a magical experience — both for our performers and the audience.
This year is extra special, as we proudly celebrate our 5th anniversary. For the very first time, we’re opening the doors of our annual showcase to the wider public! We invite you to join us in supporting our incredible students — from age 3 to 83 — and experience first-hand the talent, dedication, and joy that makes EDA so unique.
Come and see the magic for yourself — we can’t wait to welcome you!
THIS SEASONS SHOW DATE:
SUNDAY 11TH JANUARY 2026
RECENT EXAM SUCCESS
Rambert Grades
Rambert Grades Exams:
Grade 4 Contemporary
Congratulations to the senior contemporary students who had another successful summer exam session with Rambert Grades. We are extremely proud of the Contemporary students' success, under the fantastic guidance of Miss Louise. Another 100% pass rate with with lots of brilliant marks including 6 distinctions. Well done dancers, bring on Grade 5!
Rambert Contemporary Classes
Juniors: Monday | 5:45pm - 6:30pm
Seniors: Wednesday | 8:30pm - 9:15pm
2025 COMPEITION SUCCESS
Eminence Competition Squad Achievements
Destination Dance Finals
Coventry | June 2025
EDA are so proud to be a part of this mega star community!! Out of the 3 dancers who were selected for finals (Elouise, Isla & Alice), Alice was the only EDA dancer able to attend - and my goodness she owned that stage for us all!!
Alice scored platinum at both regionals and finals for her two solo routines (jazz & commercial).
Alice is a testament to her own dedication and hard work. I am beyond proud of the dancer she is transforming into. At 15 she is competing against students ready for vocational training. It is just a delight to see her shine on stage alongside such talented performers, and come away with a trophy!! 🏆
Starz
Bath | June 2025
Congratulations Eden, Isla & Felicity on completing another fabulous competition.
No trophies but lots of self growth. Every time these girls take to the stage we see a new element of their dance capabilities unlock. Forever proud of the dancers who push the limits to awaken their full potential.
Big thank you to Chaperone Team leader Charmaine and Miss Louise for supporting the dancers backstage. Massive thank you to all our teaching staff for the awesome choreography and giving the dancers the confidence and belief.
Supreme
Bath | May 2025
An amazingly friendly event, with the best atmosphere to introduce our new juniors to their first ever competition, and they made it to the podium for both their routines!
Awards & Placings
🥇Tightrope - Lyrical (Junior Squad)
🥈Get Ready - Jazz (Junior Squad)
🥉Eden - Commercial Solo
🏆 Winner of the Jazz Challenge - Izzy S-C
🏆 Winner of the MT Challenge - Izzy S-C
🏆 Top 7 Musical Theatre Challenge - Nancy J
🏆 Judges Junior Potential Award - Nancy J
Well done everyone, awesome day, with awesome results.
Destination Dance
Swindon | March 2025
Thank you to the talented and encouraging choreographers and teachers who created such fabulous work for our students. As always, another inspirational competition at destination dance. We grow more each time we compete!!
5 Golds, 3 Platinums, Trophies/Medals and a huge congratulations to Alice on being spotted by the judges as a ✨DANCE IDOL✨ !!
SO proud!
ASSOCIATE SUCCESS
Championing students additional training
English Youth Ballet.
EDA Performers:
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Arwen M
English Youth Ballet (EYB) is one of the UK’s leading youth ballet companies, offering aspiring young dancers aged 8–18 the unique opportunity to perform in full-length classical ballets alongside international professional dancers. With a focus on nurturing talent outside of London, EYB tours nationwide, giving young performers invaluable stage experience, professional training, and a taste of life in a ballet company.
Website: https://www.englishyouthballet.co.uk/
Ballet Boosts Associates.
Ballet Boosts Associates (BBA) is a vocational training programme for aspiring ballet dancers. Classes take place on Sundays in Exeter and train aspirational young dancers who wish to progress to full-time training or a professional dance career. Our very own Miss Caroline is the BBA tutor for the South West.
Website: https://www.balletboost.com/ballet-boost-associates/
Project Dance.
EDA Members:
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Alice F
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Lily-Rose G
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Elouise C
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Jasmine B
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Luisa B
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Darcey T
Project Dance is a local company bringing dance to the masses in a way that hasn't been done before. Project Dance are bridging the gap between professional training and pre-professionals. The company goes on tour each year, providing professional opportunities for artists at the beginning of their career.
The latest tour: BUSK
Website: https://projectdance.org.uk
Rambert Pre[pare] Programme.
EDA Members:
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Jasmine B
Rambert Pre[pare] course is a programme of ballet, conditioning, contemporary and creative classes, plus workshops in other dance styles. Dancers build a foundation of skill, knowledge and creativity to springboard onto pre-vocational training. Classes take place on Saturdays at Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance, Twickenham.
Website: https://www.rambertschool.org.uk/courses/young-peoples-courses/prepare/
PERFORMANCES & EVENTS
2025
We are always proud to show off our versatile dancers. Each year EDA are lucky enough to be invited to collaborate and perform in projects supporting fantastic causes. The EDA dancers love captivating audiences, performing a mixture of styles to showcase the academy throughout the academic year
Shining Star Awards 2025 with Yeovil College
When: 8th July 2025
Where: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Performers: Eminence Cheer
The annual end-of-year event celebrating outstanding student achievements and recognising exceptional effort, determination, and resilience across various academic programs and apprenticeships
Super Saturday with Yeovil Town Council
When: 5th July 2025
Where: Yeovil Town
Performers: Eminence Cheer & EDA Performance Squad
A big community event where the local business come together and celebrate in the town centre. Live music, dancing, crafts, circus performers and interactive fun for all the family. Its great to be a part of and feel the community come together.
SHiNE 2025 with The Octagon Academy
When: 8th June 2025
Where: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Performers: Eminence Cheer / Silver Swans / Elouise (Soloist)
The Octagon Academy's annual production. Raising money for the Foyer Club Charity and the Octagon redevelopment.
Spring Forward Gala with Take Art
When: 27th April 2025
Where: Macmillan
Performers: EDA Senior Squad
A gala night on stage, celebrating Spring Forwards 20th Year! Invited guests from the world of dance across Somerset and the South West will collaborate for a one night of top talent dancing the night away.
Spring Forward with Take Art
When: 7th & 21st March 2025
Where: Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre
Performers: EDA Performance Squads
Bringing Somerset's dance talent together. Take art are a charity providing access to the arts for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Images: Eminence Dance Academy
TEACHER MENTORING
RAD Mentor (CDT)
Miss Alice will continue her training placement throughout Term 1. With success, she will complete her Royal Academy of Dance teacher training (CDT) training at the end of 2025. A heartfelt 'Thank You' to the students who have given Miss Alice their full support and enabled her to grow and develop as a ballet teacher over the past year. She will be teaching more of the students this term. We are always most grateful to the students whilst we help new teachers blossom.
Many congratulations to our former trainee, Amy Williams, who has recently taken over as Principal at a dance school in Manchester. Amy successfully passed her RAD CBTS course under Miss Emilie's mentoring in 2023.
The Certificate in Dance Teaching (CDT) *formally Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS)* course takes 2 years of academic study and practical work to complete due to the amount of content and in-depth learning. Covering topics in anatomy, child mental & physical development, safeguarding & safe dance practice, personal professional development, classical ballet education, practical dance exams and 6 months of assessed teaching.
Miss Emilie is a registered mentor for this course, if you are interested in Miss Emilie's support please contact:
ONWARD TRAINING
Proud of EDA's Alumni
Bristol Conservatoire of Theatre Arts
(Formally: The Big Act)
Former EDA students:
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Emily Farnham (2023)
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Ewan Cassell (2024)
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Joshua Beaumount (2024)
Full-time vocational drama school, based in the heart of Bristol. The Big Act offers a range of training opportunities for students aged 16+ and 18+ wishing to pursue a career in the performing arts. Offering full-time courses at a pre-vocational / foundation level and professional vocational training.
Website: http://www.thebigact.com
Shockout, Manchester.
Former EDA students:
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Vita Basta (2024)
Shockout is a vocational dance training centre and an Accredited Centre of Excellence. Shockout offers Degrees in Professional and Commercial Dance, Street and Hip Hop Vernacular Dance, Musical Theatre & PGCE (14+) Dance.
Website: https://weareshockout.com
LEAF Studio, Bournemouth.
EDA students:
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Chloe Allonby (2024)
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Isla Rowswell (2025)
LEAF is a specialist Sport and Performing Arts Studio school, offering bespoke education for talented 13-19 year olds. Combining a core academic curriculum ,with high quality vocational studies in Performing Arts & Sport. LEAF provides opportunities for students to seamlessly transition into employment, professional performance or university, equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to succeed in their chosen field.
Website: https://www.leafstudio.co.uk/index.asp
Bath Spa Uni, Bath. (BA Dance)
Former EDA students:
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Courtney Moreton (2024)
A university degree programme with a strong focus on practical studio work. The course suits creative individuals who are looking for a degree that is both physically and intellectually stimulating. The majority of the BA Dance course focuses on contemporary techniques (Cunningham, release, somatic practices, contact improvisation) but the course also provides opportunities for to explore other styles and genres.
MEMORY LANE
Past Performances
Images: Eminence Dance Academy
Eminence Showcase 2024
When: 11th January 2024
Where: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Performers: FULL SCHOOL
The annual showcase performance for Eminence Dance Academy.
A Very Merry Christmas
When: 19th December 2024
Where: Merriott Centre, Sherborne Girls.
Performers: Junior Squad
EDA dancers performed in this fabulously festive collaborative show. Local performers came together to celebrate the festive season through song and dance.
Thorpe Park Performance
When: 6th October 2024
Where: Thorpe Park
Performers: Performance Team - Fright Night Theme
EDA dancers performed in the park and then spent the day riding rollercoasters and exploring scare mazes. We also got to watch Miss Sophie perform as part of the professional team of dancers and actors during Fright Night season. Epic epic day!
24 Hour Dance-athon 2025 with The Octagon & Project Dance
When: 20th - 21st July 2024
Where: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Teachers: Miss Louise (Musical Theatre) / Miss Georgia (Heels) / Miss Emilie & Miss Sophie (Lyrical & Cheer)
The Octagon Academy's annual production. Raising money for the Foyer Club Charity and the Octagon redevelopment.
SHiNE with The Octagon Academy
When: 8th June 2024
Where: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Performers: Senior Lyrical "I Put a Spell on You"
Bringing Somerset's dance talent together. Take art are a charity providing access to the arts for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Collective with Project Dance
When: 28th April 2024
Where: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Performers: Soloist: Luisa Buse / Small Lyrical Group
An evening of music and dance celebrating the very best talent in the South West. A collaborative show in aid of The Octagon Theatre's redevelopment and Project Dance's Young Dancer's Bursary Fund.
Spring Forward with Take Art
When: 7th & 22nd March 2024
Where: Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre / McMillan Theatre
Performers: Mids Squad / Senior Squad
Bringing Somerset's dance talent together. Take art are a charity providing access to the arts for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Images: Len Copland
EDA Winter Showcase 2023
When: 10th December 2023
Where: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Dancers: FULL SCHOOL
The annual showcase performance for Eminence Dance Academy.
SHiNE 2023 with The Octagon Academy
When: 29th April 2023
Where: The Octagon Academy
Performers: Mids Performance Squad & Senior Performance Squad & Silver Swans
The Octagon Academy's annual production and the final production at the Octagon Theatre before is closes for refurbishment.
Collective with Project Dance
When: 28th April 2024
Where: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Performers: Soloist: Luisa Buse / Small Lyrical Group
An evening of music and dance celebrating the very best talent in the South West. A collaborative show in aid of The Octagon Theatre's redevelopment and Project Dance's Young Dancer's Bursary Fund.
Spring Forward with Take Art
When: 8th & 27th March 2023
Where: Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre / McMillan Theatre
Performers: Mids Squad / Senior Squad
Bringing Somerset's dance talent together. Take art are a charity providing access to the arts for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
24 Hour Dance-athon with The Octagon & Project Dance
When: 17th & 18th February 2023
Where: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Teachers: Miss Louise (Musical Theatre) / Miss Georgia (Heels) / Miss Emilie (Lyrical & Cheer)
The Octagon Academy's annual production. Raising money for the Foyer Club Charity and the Octagon redevelopment.
EDA Winter Showcase 2022
When: 11th December 2022
Where: Westlands Entertainment Venue
Dancers: FULL SCHOOL
The annual showcase performance for Eminence Dance Academy.
Collective with Project Dance
When: 24th July 2022
Where: Octagon Theatre
Dancers: Soloist: Luisa (Soloist) / Small Lyrical Group
An evening of music and dance celebrating the very best talent in the South West. A collaborative show in aid of The Octagon Theatre's redevelopment and Project Dance's Young Dancer's Bursary Fund.
A Concert for Ukraine
When: 1st April 2022
Where: Octagon Theatre
Performers: Grade 3 Ballet / Lyrical
A show created to help raising money for the Ukraine crisis. Fundraising a total of £8,684.86 for School in a Bag's Ukraine Crisis Appeal and Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)'s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Spring Forward with Take Art
When: 18th & 22nd March 2022
Where: Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre / Octagon Theatre
Performers: Senior Lyrical & Acro
Bringing Somerset's dance talent together. Take art are a charity providing access to the arts for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
EDA Winter Showcase 2021
When: 11th December 2021
Where: Lynx
Performers: FULL SCHOOL
The annual showcase performance for Eminence Dance Academy.