This summer, nine-year-old Pixie Armstrong hopes to show her talents to the full when she competes against thousands of other children from around the world at the International Dance World Cup.
The West Boldon youngster clinched her place in the event’s extensive judging processes – in which she beat thousands of other English talents for the chance to represent her country in San Sebastian, Spain on 24 June.
And it makes it more impressive that Pixie has only been showing up at Nationals for about a year, earning multiple high-profile accolades throughout her short run so far.
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Pixie moved to the South Shields-based Val Armstrong School of Performing Arts when she was seven, having started dancing as a hobby four years earlier. His championship run only started in July last year, due to the global coronavirus pandemic which brought most social activity to a halt around the world.
Speaking to Chronicle Live about her journey, Pixie’s mum Sasha said: “She’s been competing since she was four but obviously not at this level. Just this year she’s competed 14 finals and since the start of her championship run, she has made 23. .
(Photo: Sasha Armstrong)
“She has seven titles since July of last year. She has four in tap, two in ballet, she has one title in song and dance, and she has eight runners-up titles, which is just amazing.”
She continued: “I’m incredibly proud of her – I didn’t think in a million years she would reach this level.
“She competed before we went to the new school and she never even had a leader, but now she’s competing against some of the best kids in England. She’s doing phenomenal things.
“She was also nominated for a Classical Dance award, which is huge. I originally thought she was only nominated for one category, but then I read the letter and she was nominated. for a Junior Theater Award and a Junior Ballet Theater Award which is a classic award – it’s like the Oscars of the dance world.”
(Photo: Sasha Armstrong)
Speaking on her road to the Dance World Cup, Sasha also mentioned that the school Pixie is a part of has been competing in the prestigious event for five years. To place her among the selections, Pixie had to submit a video entry which was reviewed by a panel of professional referees alongside thousands of others.
And in addition to her success this year in being selected for the competition, she also qualified for last year’s Dance World Cup as a solo act.
Sasha added: “Last year she qualified for Tap solo – obviously she was quite young and it was her first experience. So she also competed last year for school, and this year , she qualified first in England for her Tap.
“She also qualified for a Show Dance – which is like a Jazz routine – in second place, and she also qualified for the tap duo which again is the best in England. Then she also qualified for ten group routines.
“The school itself also qualified for over 60 routines, which is amazing.”
And while all roads now lead to a coveted world title for Pixie, she faces adversity to make it to the competition herself.
Funds are short and Pixie and the school now depend on the support of selfless individuals from the northeast to help them get to Spain.
Local entrepreneur, Paul Rowe has in turn stepped up to support Pixie and her teammates with a fundraiser at his cabaret bar in Newcastle Upon Tyne on Sunday May 1 at The Typsy Cow on Blandford Street.
Starting at 3 p.m., live performances by one of the area’s best-known artists, Janie Mackenzie – herself a former child TV star from Biker Grove to The Likely Lads – will be joined by a host of cabarets throughout the region. The event will also be hosted by the city’s best-known Drag Cabaret star, Miss Vicky Paris.
Alongside the entertainment, the fundraising raffle will be held at the event – with a week’s holiday in Benidorm Spain, YOLO townhouse dinner vouchers, luxury hampers and lots more. others to win.
Are you inspired by Pixie’s story so far? Let us know in the comments section below.