Leicester College lecturer Charlotte Tomlinson awarded Inspirational Community Dance Practitioner at the inaugural One Dance UK Dance Teaching Awards. One Dance UK received 886 nominations from pupils, parents, colleagues and friends of hundreds of teachers, practitioners and dance organisations across the UK, that provide opportunities for children and young people to dance.

The winners of the One Dance UK Dance Teaching Awards were announced at an afternoon tea and ceremony on Sunday 16 July at Birmingham Hippodrome on the final day of U.Dance Festival 2017

Charlotte Tomlinson said:

“I feel incredibly overjoyed and grateful. There are so many wonderful teachers who have inspired me over the years so I can’t thank them enough, and I’m so thankful for all those people who have believed in me. I’m very lucky to be able to do what I love as a job! Dance is so powerful and can have a huge impact on people’s lives so I’m thrilled that I can bring people the opportunity to experience dance and the joys it brings. It really is an honour to receive this award and it is something that I will treasure always.”

The shortlisted nominees were carefully chosen by a selection panel made up of industry professionals brought together to represent a broad range of education knowledge and expertise. The selection panel of Geoff Barton, Althea Efunshile (CBE), Linda Jasper (MBE), Carolyn Lappin and Piali Ray (OBE) said:

“We are very proud to have been asked to select the finalists in this ground–‐breaking first year of the One Dance UK Awards. We were overwhelmed by both the quantity and quality of the 886 nominations. They demonstrate just how important dance is in our schools and how keen the profession is to celebrate the many individuals and organisations who are using dance to transform the lives of young people. We are delighted to be able to recognise so many amazing people doing so much to communicate the inspiring power and relevance of dance across the UK.”

Leicester College has BTEC courses through to Foundation Degree in Dance find out more: https://leicestercollege.ac.uk/subject-areas/performing-arts/ or contact LWalczak@leicestercollege.ac.uk