The 2017 show ‘By Special Request’ was a new concept for JMDS. This time people who are associated with JMDS were asked to request a song, which either had special meaning to them or that they just love. Teachers chose from these requests and choreographed dances for their classes with all ages and genres of dance participating in the show. This gave ‘By Special Request’ a wide variety of dances. To give an edge to the performance there were drama pieces linking each piece. The topic was a radio station playing all our chosen songs and situations in life that the songs related to. This year I only had one dance so I helped backstage. Here for the first time, I saw all the hard work that goes into every show. The quick change crew constantly being pressured by time, the difficult prop manoeuvres, the light and sound team having to always be on time with each other and above all the professionalism of students backstage. The two weekends of rehearsals and shows ran so smoothly and was a lot fun due to our big JMDS family being together. As well as being brilliant to watch it was brilliant to take part in. ’By Special Request’ is definitely one to remember.

By Ayla C, 14

I love presentation day, it's fun! My feet always hurt by the end of it, but nerves and excitement make me forget about my feet and I love it! It makes me feel good when I take my curtsy and the audience are clapping us. Spending time with my dance friends is really good, we are like one big family, helping each other and making sure everybody is OK. If I win an award it makes me feel amazing and like all my hard work during the year has totally been worth it. I LOVE IT.

By Mia L, 9