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30 January 2023 16:03

Step into Dance Battle 2023

Saturday 28 January 2023 saw young dancers from around the capital crowned as champions at ‘Battle’, a unique and high-energy hip hop dance event organised by Step into Dance at Conway Hall in central London. This year’s event, also featured a full day of workshops, solo, duo and crew battles.

‘Battle’ is an annual celebration of hip hop dance organised by Step into Dance, the UK’s largest inclusive dance programme run by the Royal Academy of Dance and funded by the Jack Petchey Foundation. The event provides the opportunity for young dancers to come together and share their passion for dance, all the while battling it out in front of their friends and a rapturous audience.

This year’s ‘Battle’ was hosted by hip-hop choreographer, dancer and teacher Yami Löfvenberg and featured live music from DJ Rosie Riot. The judging panel who selected this year’s winners included Gavin Vincent, Shannelle ‘Tali’ Fergus, and Roxanne Milliner, all of whom are professional dancers currently working in the industry.

To bring Battle to a triumphant finish, a range of awards were announced and presented to the young dancers by RAD’s Artistic Director Gerard Charles and Riana Morrison-Kirnon, Step into Dance alumna and member of the Jack Petchey Foundation’s Youth Consultation Panel.

The winners

The well-deserving winners on the day were:

  • All Styles Crew: House of Rebels, a dance group from I Got Soul Performing Arts in Ruislip
  • 1v1 Beginner: Leandrah from Harris Girls Academy in Bromley
  • 1v1 Experienced: Emma, House of Rebels
  • 2v2 Beginner: Aliyah and Feran from Ark Walworth Academy in Southwark & Step into Dance Youth Company (SYNC)
  • 2v2 Experienced: Ava-Flav and Missy, House of Rebels

Gerard Charles, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Dance, said of the event: "The infectious attraction of attending the Battle is the positive energy that you get from seeing dancers from so many places coming together to put all they have on the dance floor. Although it is a competition the atmosphere is incredibly supportive of all - from the least experienced dancer to the most highly regarded professionals, all are equally valued."

See the gallery below for some of the highlights of the event.

Battle 2023 gallery

3 full Battle trophies are visible, laid on a pink table cloth. Trophies are the shape of a golden star and are engraved with 'Step into Dance Battle Winner 2023'
Dancer upside down break dancing, wearing green tracksuit and red bandana. Other young people in the background supporting the dancer.
Dancer upside down in breaking workshop holding a pose. Dancer wearing all black. Peers are watching from sidelines, supporting the dancer.
Dancer upside down in breaking position wearing a green tracksuit and red bandana.
Solo dancer posing upside down in a blue tracksuit. 3 red chairs are visible on the stage behind them, along with 2 pop up stands.
Three judges clapping the performers. Judge on left wearing a green tracksuit with blonde hair. Middle judge is wearing grey top and green trousers with dark hair. Final judge on the right is just in shot with dark jumper and black hat on. Wash of purple lights can be seen in the shot.
Solo dancer mid-move with arms in a contorted movement behind their head. Dancer wearing green cargo trousers and black t-shirt. Audience visible behind them.
Group of dancers performing same movement in front of a stage, all wearing black bottoms and black t-short with Step into Dance logo. Lighting in the room is pink/purple.
Group of dancers mid performance. All wearing black bottoms and black hoodies with red logos. Wooden floor is visible.
2v2 Winners Aliyah & Feran with the Judges and prize givers. Eight people in the photo all wearing different colours. Wash of purple lights in the background.
2v2 Winners Ava-Flav & Missy with the Judges and prize givers. Eight people in the photo all wearing different colours. Wash of purple lights in the background.