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Didn’t cha-cha know? Hollywood choreographer led Newcastle High School pupils in all-day dance workshop

It’s important to never forget your roots…especially when your roots are in a magnificent place like the North East!

Jenny Legg, a native Northumbrian currently making waves in Hollywood as a successful choreographer, also believes this to be true, made evident through her recent return to Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG)

It was here she led lucky pupils in an all-day dance workshop.

You have to see it to believe it, and believe it to see it!

Jenny is the Assistant Choreographer on Hollywood blockbuster movie Wonka, and led the workshop at NHSG’s dance studio to help the girls prepare for their own upcoming performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

As part of the day, Jenny helped pupils create two numbers for the show – Oompa Loompa and It Must Be Believed to Be Seen.

The opportunity was made possible thanks to NHSG’s ongoing partnership with Gateway Studio, a Gateshead-based charity focused on inclusive arts, which sees Gateway deliver the full dance provision through to A Level at the school.

A world-class choreographer for (what will be!) a world-class show

Debbie Hylton, Head of Dance at Newcastle High School for Girls and Head of Education at Gateway, said: “NHSG is in a unique position to benefit from the wider opportunities available through Gateway Studio and we are delighted that we have been able to secure a world-class choreographer to work with the pupils as they prepare for their own production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the end of January.

“Jenny’s wealth of experience will take our already excellent NHSG pupils to another level and will be an enormous boost to their confidence and creative development. We are thrilled to see her inspire and challenge them, helping to bring their production to life in a truly exceptional way.”

In addition to her movie work, Jenny Legg is a stalwart West End performer and choreographer who has also worked extensively in television, including for ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, ‘Jane McDonald and Friends’ and ‘Blind Ambition’ with Robson Green.

Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “Delighted to hear that Jenny has returned to the North East to share her talent, experience and success to local pupils. NHSG’s performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was undoubtedly going to be a success, but now, with professional assistance from a Hollywood star, it’s going to be incredible.”

Newcastle High School for Girls is a Schools North East Partner School . If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.

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