Renfrew dancers win four titles at world championship

Four teams from Jazzle Dazzle Studios competed at the 2023 Allstar World Championship in Orlando, Florida, earlier this month.

The dance school's Senior Jazz, Senior Pom and Mini Jazz teams each won gold for their respective categories, while Senior Lyrical scooped silver.

Jackie Bryceland, owner of Jazzle Dazzle Studios, said everybody involved were "delighted" with their achievements.

"It's not sunk in at all yet to be honest," she told The Gazette.

"The girls are completely overjoyed and there were so many tears of joy from the families that travelled with us, as they were just so happy for their children.

"Everyone has put in so much work for it, with the dancers training five days a week and pushing themselves to the brink.

"The competition itself is quite costly to go to, so a lot of the parents have been doing a lot of fundraising, as well as working extra hours, to get their children to the event."

Some of the 16 dancers, ranging in age from eight to 17, have been training with Jazzle Dazzle Studios since it first opened in 2012.

The performers from the Renfrew dance school, which is based in Brown Street, were also victorious at a recent European dance competition that took place in Blackpool.

Jackie said: "The children are so close and supportive to each other.

"Many families and friends watched the girls perform at the world championship through an online link so they could cheer us on from home, with some staying up until 1 o'clock in the morning to find out the results."

During their two-week stay in Orlando, the dance troupe were also able to enjoy rollercoaster rides and an after-party event at the Universal Studios Florida theme park.

Jackie added: "The whole experience was just what dreams are made of.

"We will definitely be organising an event to celebrate and reward the children for all their hard works and achievements.

"I'd like to thank my parents and granny Gannon, as I did this for them."

Megan Storey, Kayleigh McGowan, Ellie Borland, Emma Newlands and Rachel Bryceland performed for the Senior Jazz, Senior Pom and Senior Lyrical teams.

Eilidh Newlands, Grace McBurney and Layla MacLeod were also members of the Senior Pom and Senior Lyrical teams, while Orla Scott, Lauren Ramsay, Rachel McGarry, Carly Whyte, Gabrielle Glass, Olivia Smith, Robyn Taggart and Indie Rennie performed for the Mini Jazz team.

Michelle Holmes was the coach for the Senior Pom while Jackie and her daughter Rachel served as coaches for the Senior Jazz, Senior Lyrical and Mini Jazz teams.