A DANCE school in Stratford celebrated its 40th birthday in the only way possible – with lots of dancing.
More than 500 dancers from across the country hot-footed it to Stratford Leisure Centre for Mezzo Dance Company’s 40th Anniversary Competition.
Juliet and John Short established the company back in 1978 with a group of 15 children.
Their dedication, hard work and support saw the school go from strength to strength and it now has over 200 children and young adults now dancing and competing all over the world at competitions and festivals.
In 2014, Adam Nightingale and Kirsty Nicholls – a previous Mezzo dancer – took over the reins of MDC determined to carry on the work of former Stratford mayor Juliet and husband John.
Commenting on the anniversary competition, Juliet said: “John and I were delighted to share our very special day with so many lovely and talented young people. Dancers aged between three and 20-years-old worked so hard and performed so beautifully.
“We were thrilled that so many were able to celebrate with us, some of whom we have taught over the years and seen them establish their own dance schools to further share their love of this physically demanding sport and discipline.
“It makes me enormously proud to see Mezzo continue to grow, succeed and flourish under the inspirational leadership of Kirsty and Adam and to watch new generations of dancers emerge.”
