Strictly hip-hop : South London dancers shine in annual jamboree
Battle is an annual celebration of hip hop dance organised by Step into Dance, the UK’s largest inclusive dance programme run by the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD).
The event provides the opportunity for young dancers to come together and share their passion for dance, all the while battling it out in front of their friends and a rapturous audience.
This year’s high energy event took place at Old Town Hall in Stratford, where dancers from across London took part in a day of workshops and showcases.
Young dancers also participated in 1v1, 2v2 and crew dance battles to be crowned champions, with all ‘battles’ performed in front of a judging panel featuring Bgirl Roxy, Chris Alozie and previous Battle winner, Caine Harrison.
Mia Wisniewska, 15, of The Norwood School, Crown DI, Lambeth won the 1v1 contests for experienced dancers and Tyler Alexis-Ward, also 15, of Xpression Dance, South London, won in the 1v1 External category – for those not on the Step into Dance programme but taking part as an ‘outsider.’
Meanwhile, Jereil Boateng and Nicole Jarvis, both 13 and from Woodcote High School, Meadow Rise, Croydon, won their 2v2 competition for beginners.
An annual event, this year’s Battle marked an extra special celebration as it commemorated 50 years of hip hop, along with Breaking becoming a sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics.