From Burnham to Blackpool: Could Competition Dancing Be Your Next Step?

Earlier this month, a group from Learn To Dance travelled to Blackpool for the NATD Medallist of the Year Grand Finals — and what a weekend it turned out to be!

Our sole competitors, Matthew and Ellie, produced some fantastic performances in the magnificent Empress Ballroom, finishing:

They also competed individually, partnered on the floor but adjudicated solely on their own dancing.

Ellie reached the semi-finals of both her Foxtrot and Paso Doble events, while Matthew finished third in his Foxtrot final and fourth in his Paso Doble final.

We were incredibly proud of both of them — not only because of their results, but because of the way they represented Learn To Dance throughout the weekend.

It got us thinking…

Although Learn To Dance has never been a competition school, the weekend demonstrated that many of our students have the ability to perform extremely well in friendly inter-school competitions.

More importantly, we could see how much students can gain from having a clear goal to work towards: improved technique, greater confidence, more focused practice and the experience of dancing in a completely different environment.

We would therefore like to begin offering NATD medallist competitions as an optional additional pathway for students who would enjoy trying something new.

This does not mean that anybody will be expected or pressured to compete. Social dancing, classes, courses and simply enjoying your dancing will remain every bit as important as they have always been.

Competition will simply be another option.

How do the competitions work?

There are two main types of event:

Individual or “Solo” events

The student dances with a partner, who would normally be one of their teachers or another suitable dancer. Only the competing student wearing the number is adjudicated.

Students compete within an appropriate age group and examination grade.

Couples events

Two students dance together as a couple and are adjudicated as a partnership.

This could suit established couples, friends who already dance together or students whom we feel might make a suitable partnership.

Current NATD rules include both mixed-gender and same-gender couples events.

Do I need to take an examination?

Students wishing to follow the Medallist of the Year competition route will normally need to have completed the appropriate NATD examination during that competition season.

The precise requirements depend on:

• whether you wish to enter Ballroom, Latin American or both;
• whether you dance as a Leader or Follower;
• your age group;
• your current or previous examination grade; and
• whether you are entering an Individual/Solo or Couples event.

Please do not worry about trying to work this out yourself. We will check each interested student’s circumstances and explain what would be required before anybody commits.

The NATD publishes updated rules for each season, so all eligibility will be confirmed against the current rules before examinations or competition entries are arranged.

Is it only for very experienced dancers?

Not necessarily.

Competitions include different age groups and medal grades, and previous qualifying programmes have offered events ranging from introductory medallist levels through to advanced grades.

What matters most is that the event is appropriate for your current dancing, that you are prepared sufficiently and that taking part would be an enjoyable and positive experience.

There is no obligation to compete in every dance, enter both Ballroom and Latin American, or continue all the way to Blackpool. We can help you choose a manageable first step.

What happens next?

Our next potential adult qualifying competition is due to take place at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre in Lower Earley on Sunday 11 October 2026.

At this stage, we are simply gathering interest so that we can:

• identify students who might like to compete individually;
• identify possible student couples;
• arrange suitable examinations;
• assess the amount of training and teacher-partner availability required; and
• establish who might like to come along purely to spectate and support Team Learn To Dance.

Completing the interest form does not commit you to an examination, competition or additional lessons.

Not sure whether competing is for you?

That is absolutely fine.

You are welcome to register your interest and have an informal conversation with us first. You may decide to work towards an examination, attend a qualifier as a spectator, support other Learn To Dance students or simply keep the idea in mind for another year.

Whether you would like to compete, spectate or just find out more, please complete the form below.

We cannot promise that everyone expressing an interest will be able to enter every event, as suitability, examination requirements, partnerships and teacher availability all need to be considered. However, we would love to discover just how many members of Team Learn To Dance might be ready for their own journey from Burnham to Blackpool.