A NORTHSIDE dance studio that’s struggling to survive
financially is on top of the world after a talented group of its young dancers
made it through to the semi-finals of hit reality Sky TV series Got to Dance.
The eight Lil Hustlers dancers aged 11 and 13-years-old
from Streets Ahead Dance Studio who hail from Finglas, Swords, Clontarf,
Coolock and Navan will battle it out against five other dance groups this
Sunday (February 12) for a much sought-after spot in the final of the Sky 1
talent show series.
The group of gifted youngsters impressed judges with
their unique style, hard work and personality and have become proud ambassadors
for Ireland in the UK based competition.
Financial troubles have been casting a shadow over the
future of the studio that’s based near Dublin Airport and run by dance
choreographer, Tara Tracey.
“Running a dance studio is one of the worst lines of
business to be in during a recession,
? Tara told Northside People.
“When people are hit with money worries one of the
first things to be pulled is things like dance classes for their kids.
“We’re facing a situation where we’re in dire straits
and we have to make a decision as to whether we’re going to be able to keep the
studio open or if we’ll have to close.
?
However, the success of Lil Hustlers has generated
much deserved publicity for the studio and their dedicated coach.
The dance group, which is one of only two Irish acts
in the series, were praised by the three highly regarded judges on the Got to
Dance show for
“breathing new life into old-school dance
? and have been
practicing each day in the run-up to the live televised semi-finals.
The group is made up of Zacc Milne, Chloe Simpson,
sisters Amy and Kaitlinn Delaney from Finglas, Cathalaine Badinas from Swords,
Roger Begenarm from Clontarf, Dylan Bennet from Coolock and Lauren Masterson
from Navan.
The group, which has been together for two years,
specialise in
’80s themed hip-hop, which is all the more entertaining and
impressive given their young age.
“They’re such amazing and inspiring kids,
? Tara said.
“Some of the kids wouldn’t be from areas with a lot of
money so this has been an experience of a lifetime for them to perform on TV
and be flown to London to get their costumes, make-up and hair done.
“They can be right messers like all kids I suppose but
the second you tell them to get down to work they do it and will do whatever it
takes to do well and succeed.
“They really do defy their age with their hunger for
success.
?
It’s this drive and ambition which has led Lil
Hustlers to their unbeaten position in Ireland, which poses its own
difficulties should they fail to make it to the finals of Got to Dance.
“They’re unbeaten in competition in Ireland for quite
a long time so they haven’t had to deal with disappointment,
? Tara explained.
“I don’t know how they’ll react if they don’t get
through to the final because they have their hearts sent on it.
?
Choreographer Jessie O’Reilly is also training the Lil
Hustlers group and brings with her personal experience of working with Getto
Fabulous dance group which made their name in the Got to Dance series last
year.
Last week, choreographers and costume designers from
the Got to Dance production team flew to Ireland to meet with Lil Hustlers in
the run-up to their semi-finals performance.
All involved in the group are desperately appealing to
the public to vote for them on Sunday, February 12 so that they can stay in the
competition.