We were delighted to welcome the Broadway and West End Star Ashley Andrews, as he returned to work with the BTEC Level 3 Dance students. The popular post 16 course is a clear step towards following dance as a profession and it was a privilege to host Ashley whose career is extensive. Ashley has a wealth of experience, including Chicago, Wicked and Billy Elliott in the West End, King Kong and Diana the musical on Broadway, and feature films such as Avengers, Age of Ultron, and the new Live action Snow White - currently in production. 

Ashley led a workshop where he taught professional choreography from the current U.S. production of Jesus Christ Superstar - on which he is the associate choreographer. The students were delighted to be trained in the same way the current stars of the US production are being taught the routines. It was a window into that world of dance that leads to such amazing shows that we all enjoy watching!

Students interviewed Ashley and learnt all about the production process of a professional piece. The personal insight and wealth of experience brought the whole workshop alive for the sixth form students.

Not wanting to miss out, he also worked with our Level 2 dancers, teaching “All that Jazz” from Chicago, and demonstrating the Fosse technique (think curved shoulders, turned-in knees, bowler hats, punctuated hand movements, finger snaps, sideways shuffling — and, yes, jazz hands!)

Ashley said, “I am so impressed with the passion, dedication and talent of the NBHS dancers  - they have worked so hard and really improved since the last time I visited! We’ve had an excellent day and I feel really inspired!”