Hartlepool dance academy is set to reach new landmark

The Hartlepool based MTA Academy is planning a presentation evening at the Borough Hall. It will recognise the achievement of students who have helped MTA go from strength to strength as it approaches its fourth birthday.

And among the very best are three talented youngsters who all got 98% in exams.

Lottie Willis achieved a grade 3 distinction after performing numbers including Glorious from Bend It Like Beckham.

Sophie Bulmer got a grade 2 distinction by performing numbers such as Leaning on a Lamppost. And Amelia Nixon was another who achieved a grade 2 98% distinction.

MTA was set up just under four years ago by Toni Parker-Harvey. She said MTA’s development had been so impressive, it is ready to grow further.

Toni added: “It is amazing. We have got our fourth year celebration coming up in June and we have more than 100 students on the performing arts books and more than 100 in one-to-one lessons.

“We have got competitions coming up in March and we have got exams coming up in March as well.”

Toni said MTA had hosted exam sessions for the first time in the last year and added: “The students have to not only sing song from the magical theatre genre but also use their theatre and acting skills as well as elements of dance. They also get to use costumes and props so the students really enjoy.

“MTA had a huge exam session of 45 students ranging from the beginner grade 1 to grade 8 which is the final grade.

“MTA students excelled with 5 students gaining a pass with merit and a whopping 40 students gaining pass with distinction! For an academy to gain such a high amount of distinctions is amazing!”

She said MTA had moved to bigger premises in 2016 but it was already growing incredibly rapidly in its new surroundings.”

Toni said she was “beyond proud of our MTA students” and the academy had a record that student had never got less than a pass with merit.