GAPA girls Issy, Emily, Eve and Nellie were thrilled to meet West End star Djalenga Scott after her brilliant performance as ‘Velma’ in ‘Chicago’ last night at the Hawth. The show is currently on its 2022 tour and GAPA Principal Suzanne Gielgud was delighted to introduce Djalenga to the GAPA girls, post-show. In 2008, Djalenga appeared in a short film ‘The Dream’ which was written and directed by Suzanne to showcase Djalenga’s talents as an actor and singer.

A brilliant week was had by all who attended our summer school at the Hub with classes by guest teachers that included Eliska Bouzkova (Vienna Festival Ballet), Natalie Ayton (Matthew Bourne/Phoenix), Issac Edwards (Starlight Express/Bat out of Hell) and Damien Delaney (Cats/Billy Elliot). It was so exciting to be back dancing at the Hub (Haywards Heath College) where we look forward to returning in September.

Despite covid restrictions, and by adhering to strict social distancing and covid safety protocols, we still managed to pull off GAPA Create’s choreography competition at the King Edward Hall Lindfield on June 26th. Parents were unable to attend but pupils cheered each other on as solos, duets, trios, and groups were performed, and prizes were awarded by our adjudicators Phil Gardner and Natalie Ayton (former members of Matthew Bourne). Congratulations to all.

Photo of the senior solo section by Luke LeBihan.

Covid lockdown hasn’t prevented our GAPA pupils from being successful in gaining places at their first choice professional dance colleges. Thanks to the joys of zoom and video auditioning our Head Girl Maddie Wrigley and Head Boy Bailey Johnson have been offered paces at Bird College. Tilly Greenwood, our Bush Davies Ballet Scholarship winner of 2020 has accepted her place at Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Huge congratulations to all three of them. 

Happy New Year 2021!

Sadly, due to government restrictions, the Gielgud Academy is now closed. Once we come out of Tier 4 lockdown we will review and update you on our return to the studio.

Due to the Government regulations for the 2nd lockdown GAPA is continuing its second half of term on zoom rather than in the studio. We look forward to returning to live classes once the lockdown has been lifted.

GAPA is back! We are open for business, fully COVID-19 secure, and accepting new pupils.

Drop us an email – admin@gielgudacademy.co.uk

GAPA has kept busy during lockdown not only with classes but also being creative. We had a photography competition and a collaborative choreography task where pupils videoed themselves dancing to certain phrases of a song and Mrs G edited them altogether to make a whole dance. Go to our gallery page to see the fabulous end result!