Brighton ballerina defies Covid to achieve dance dream

Gabi Dickinson has been awarded a Merit at Advanced Level 2 from the Royal Academy of Dance in London.

But it has not been an easy road for the 18-year-old, who attends Roedean School in Brighton.

Gabi attends Roedean School in Brighton

Gabi was set to take her dance exam in March 2020, but it was cancelled just four days before the date due to the introduction of the first national lockdown.

She said: “This exam was the culmination of 13 year of ballet training and 15 previous exams so it was a major blow.

“It was delayed until December but then when the exam came I was in a position where I had to self-isolate so I missed it again.

Gabi had a series of Coronavirus-related setbacks

“Covid has hugely affected and interrupted my dancing over the past year, with my longest lay off from training being from March to September last year.”

Gabi, who has been inspired by Margot Fonteyn and Darcy Bussell, said she was “elated” when she was finally able to take the exam after spending hours practicing.

She thanked her dance teachers Sandra Stidston and June Mitchell at Roedean School for continuing to support her and her peers during the pandemic.

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“I’m thrilled to get the Merit in it – after so many years of training,” Gabi said.

“My teachers have been an amazing support, particularly over the last year, as I was determined to take my Advanced 2 exam before leaving Roedean and I finally achieved it.”

June said Gabi had worked “incredibly hard” despite all the hurdles Covid presented.

She said: “Gabi has worked for thousands of hours over the years and richly deserves her success. We are so proud of her determination and resilience.”