Support given to dancer from Kedington near Haverhill from Unique Performing Arts praised after she secures place at Dance East academy

The mum of a teenager who has won a place at a prestigious dance academy believes it would not have happened were it not for the support of her daughter’s performing arts teacher.

Amelia Cronin, who turns 16 in December, has a place, with a bursary from the Department for Education, to study at the Dance East Centre for Advanced Training (CAT).

Her mum Tina said Amelia has always loved dancing and had been having classes but after struggling with anxiety the classes stopped.

However, she continued with her sessions at Be Unique (BU) Performing Arts, whose classes are smaller and more individually tailored and thanks to the support from its principle, Becca French, went on to impress the Dance East judges at a recent audition and win her place at CAT.

Tina, who lives in Kedington, near Haverhill, said of Becca: “She’s absolutely brilliant. She’s just really helped build her confidence.

“Becca is just so supportive. I truly believe that without her there’s no way Amelia would have gone for this audition. She would not have been able to cope with it.

“She was up and ready and went to the audition.

“She had to do three classes and be observed and she had to do an interview as well.

“She was so articulate and I thought my God, she has come so far in the last two years and Becca is so key.

“I think going to the audition was a huge step for her. She is so proud of herself for doing that and so proud of herself for getting a place.

This year Amelia was awarded the BU Student of the Year and having not sung in one of its shows before 2024 (when she performed one verse), has gone on to sing a full song at this year’s annual showcase at Haverhill Arts Centre.

Amelia attends evening BU sessions on Tuesdays at the Chalkstone Community Centre, at Clements Community Centre on Thursdays (the show team group) and at Withersfield Village Hall on Fridays.

She has also been a student teacher with BU, helping out with younger students, for the last three years.

Amelia also has to do a CAT contemporary class on Wednesdays in Cambridge and a full day on Sundays at CAT in Ipswich.

Amelia will stay in CAT until she is 18 and hopes to one day work in dance and choreography.