Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Rhinestones Dance Academy has announced a new sponsorship agreement for the 2017/18 academic year with Leeds Loft Conversions
Rhinestones, which was set up by Dance Development Officer Nicola Booth in 2009, is Leeds Rhinos Foundation's professional dance school offering classes at four locations around Leeds and currently works with over 200 young people.
The new partnership will see local loft conversion specialists Leeds Loft Conversions sponsor the dance school which restarted weekly classes this week alongside the announcement.
Speaking about the sponsorship, Nicola Booth said:
"Rhinestones is continuing to grow every year with more young dancers joining our weekly classes and enjoying dance across Leeds.
"It's fantastic to have support from Leeds Loft Conversions to help with the running costs which will allow us to continue to deliver more opportunities in dance going forward.
Leeds Loft Conversions Owner Glenn Gaunt commented:
"I have a personal connection to Rhinestones as my girlfriend's daughter Isla is involved. I have seen her go from being a little shy girl to joining Rhinestones, which has really boosted her confidence and brought her out of her shell.
"Nicola and the team put a show on at Grammar School at Leeds which was brilliant, fun and had me dancing in my seat with a huge grin on my face, so I approached her afterwards to see if we could support the school.
"So many young girls from age of 5 upwards get to dance and have fun while getting plenty of exercise which is really important, so I'm delighted to be involved."
Alongside weekly classes currently running at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Ralph Thoresby and Temple Moor High Schools and Wetherby Sports Association, Rhinestones members aged up to 16 and over also get the opportunity to take part in pitch performances at Leeds Rhinos home games as well as the annual Rhinestones Dance Show.
The Rhinestones also run an elite squad class who take part in dance competitions during the year which is accessed through an audition process.
Nicola Booth added:
"The aim of the Rhinestones has always been to give everyone the opportunity to access great dance classes at an affordable price, offering cheer, street and break dance training for young people in the city and in the last couple of years we have also started our elite class to give the girls and boys wanting to take their learning even further the chance to compete, so we now have something for everyone."
If you would like to know more about Leeds Loft Conversions visit http://www.leedsloftconversions.co.uk/
For more information on the Rhinestones Dance Academy visit http://www.leedsrhinosfoundation.org/home.php or contact Nicola.Booth@leedsrhinosfoundation.org