It sounds like a dream – going to dance in the famous Disneyland parade for over 40,000 visitors in Disneyland California. But that’s just what passionate Year 11 dancer, Georgia Brokenshire from Diocesan School for Girls, is off to do in April.

“It’s amazing!” says Georgia. “I’m so excited, I can’t wait!” Along with her dance troupe, Ponsonby School of Dance, Georgia will do a special thirty-minute dance at Disneyland, perform in the Disneyland parade, and do a performance on the famed Hollywood Boulevard.

While she admits that the thought of the staggering audience size gives her butterflies, Georgia says, “I’m happy as long as someone is smiling.”

Georgia is a new student to Diocesan this year, and she’s thrilled to be able to study dance for the first time at school, as part of her NCEA curriculum. This is the first step towards her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

“I know the dance industry is very hard to succeed in, but with hard work and dedication nothing is impossible.”

Diocesan has a high record of achievement in NCEA Dance. Over the last five years they’ve been offering the subject at NCEA level, their students have consistently performed at an exceptional level achieving a 99% pass rate for all standards and 100% pass rate of all internal dance standards, the majority of which have been at awarded at the Excellence level. Each year that students have entered scholarship dance, they have achieved scholarship or outstanding scholarship – which puts them in the top 3% for achievement across the country.

“Dance is about so much more than simply movement. It develops confidence in the individual that will support them across the curriculum in what ever subjects they are taking.” says Simone Kallil, Diocesan’s Teacher in Charge of Dance.

“Students learn to trust their ideas and themselves. It teaches skills such as group work, perseverance and resilience. These skills are vital not only in a school situation, but when students are at university or working in their chosen job area.“

Diocesan is committed to providing the very best education in the Performing Arts, and is currently undergoing construction of an ambitious new Arts Centre, the first stage of which is due to be completed in early 2017. The multi-million dollar venue will include 25 purpose-built performance and lecture rooms and a 1000 seat auditorium.

Simone is pleased that Georgia is taking up the opportunity to dance at Disneyland, saying Diocesan is always looking for opportunities for growth and development outside of the classroom for their students.

“Georgia is an enthusiastic, talented and passionate young soul who I know will embrace this opportunity with an open heart.”