8:02am Thursday 26th April 2012
By Annette McIntyre
Twin sisters from Guiseley have both won places at a London dance school.
Esther and Frankie Johnston, both 18, beat hundreds of other young hopefuls to secure places on the highly sought-after commercial jazz course at the London Theatre School.
The girls, who are former pupils of Guiseley School, had to undergo an intense audition and selection process to secure places at the school, which is seen as one of the top dance schools in the country.
Their proud mum, Jude Johnston, said both girls had been pupils at the West Yorkshire School of Performing Arts (WYSPA) since childhood, and had both shown a natural gift for dance, excelling in all disciplines.
She added: “Getting a place at 18 years of age is quite remarkable as most students have been to university to obtain a degree before being able to pursue a course at this dance school.
Esther and Frankie are both studying a two-year performing arts dance diploma at York College, where they passed their first year with distinction and are on track to do the same again this year.
But they have still found the time to choreograph a WYSPA entry which is due to be performed this month at the Manchester regional heat of the Nation’s Best Dance Crew competition.
WYSPA principal Karen Fawcett said the sisters were the first set of twins to go all the way through her school and on to theatre school.
“When they went for their auditions there were literally hundreds of girls and boys who went for it,” she said.
She said the twins had studied at the school since childhood and had increased the range of dance classes they were taking when they were about 13.
“They have been here nearly every day – and their mum has said she should move their beds in,” she said.
“They are both so talented – we are extremely proud of them.”
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