Carrick dance studiopoised for national success

A Carrick dance school has reached the final of a national competition after being judged to be one of the best in Northern Ireland.
The dancers from Studio 86 in Carrick who are taking part in the national competition "That's Showbiz".The dancers from Studio 86 in Carrick who are taking part in the national competition "That's Showbiz".
The dancers from Studio 86 in Carrick who are taking part in the national competition "That's Showbiz".

Studio 86, based at Nelson Street, will be taking part in the next stage of “That’s Showbiz” next March.

Studio 86 had entered four teams in the Northern Ireland semi-final which was held in Lisburn, in lyrical, hip hop and modern categories involving 32 females and one male dancer.

A troupe of 15 dancers will now be heading to Liverpool to present a lyrical dance based on the theme of suicide and mental health awareness.

Studio 86 owner Samantha Burrell explained: “We explore what mental health is. We tell a story of how suicide can affect anybody.

“With it being such a big subject in Northern Ireland, I thought it would a great opportunity to teach the boys and girls that it is OK not to be OK.

“We are using dance as a way of expressing this.”

Samantha went on to say that although the group narrowly missed reaching the final last year, they are very excited to be taking part again.

“They were heart-broken that they did not get through to the final,” she recalled.

Fifteen local dancers will be taking part in the national contest.

“There is a lot of talent. It is great to let them see that they are of the same high standard.”