Sky1’s entertaining documentary sees two of the UK’s most respected dancers putting their reputations to the test, and on the line. Celebrity dancers ANTON DU BEKE and ERIN BOAG (Strictly Come Dancing) will select a team of dance rookies aged 14 to16 from a typical inner city comprehensive then have just four weeks to train the novices from scratch, to a high performance standard. The ‘students’ will then have to perform a dynamic dance routine at a major gala event to a packed house at the prestigious Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Anton and Erin have played a huge part in the country’s renewed passion for the rumba, the tango and the Viennese waltz. They’re passionate about the potential of ballroom dancing and their outstanding talent and professionalism will definitely be invaluable to the 12 teenagers. However, this uplifting two-part series looks at the bigger picture; can ballroom dancing have a lot more to offer than glitz, glamour and celebs in sequins?

BALLROOM HIGH is inspired by the admirable story of dance teacher Pierre Dulane. He decided to introduce ballroom dancing to kids in some of New York’s toughest schools as a way of teaching them the value of discipline, respect and essentially, to give the pupils a sense of achievement. Pierre’s initiative was so successful it was expanded into a national programme in American high schools, and was the inspiration behind the Hollywood movie Take The Lead, starring Antonio Banderas.

This is a great opportunity for Sky1 to work with the very best in the business. Anton and Erin will bring their unlimited passion to this entertaining yet emotional journey for them and the students. BALLROOM HIGH proves that it takes more that steps to make a good dancer as each student will test every one of their emotions to the very limits.

Anton and Erin have been dancing together for over 10 years, have won numerous championships, and currently coach the number one UK Junior and Youth couple. The flawless dancerswant to follow in Dulane’s footsteps and bring ballroom to British schools. They are fervent believers that a good dance partnership is about much more than rhythm and good moves: dancers must trust, respect and understand each other.

Anton commented: “I really enjoyed the process; they’ve been lovely to work with. We required three things from them when we started: a commitment to what we were doing, responsibility to what they’re doing and respect for us, their dance partners and the group as a whole. These are the things we’ve been banging on about ever since we started and by and large I think we’ve got that.”

Erin went on to add: “This has been a massive challenge for Anton and I. We’ve had our ups and downs with the kids and teaching them to dance has been the easy part. What we also wanted to give them was respect, the ability to work as team, social etiquette and manners. And we’ve set them goals as we’ve gone along which they’ve achieved, so we’ve shown them that if you work hard at something you can be successful.”

BALLROOM HIGH, exclusive to Sky1 & Sky1 HD, Tuesday 12th and 19th May at 9pm.

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