ONE of East Lancashire’s leading dance academies is to mark its 15th anniversary next week with a series of special shows at the Blackburn Empire Theatre.

KDA Rewind will see students from Katrina’s Dance Academy performing numbers from shows which they have been involved in over the years.

The academy, set up by Katrina Baldwin in 2004, has grown from 10 students in a community centre to having more than 80 students aged from 3 to 18. It is now based at the studio at St Bede’s High School, Blackburn.

“We have never done a show like this one before,” said Katrina. “We have never gone back in time like this.

“We will have dancers and some amazing vocalists and will have everything from excerpts from West End shows to a medley of Spice Girls numbers.

“We’re going back in time to some of the routines we have worked on over the years to mark the 15th anniversary.”

Performance is very much in the DNA of the academy.

“It’s very much about giving youngsters the opportunity to perform,” said Katrina. “We want to get them on stage as much as possible and I think people who haven’t seen before what out students are capable of will be very surprised. It will be a show for anyone who enjoys the theatre.”

A number of Katrina’s students have gone on to study dance or performance at university and have become regular performers in local amateur productions.

Katrina’s Dance Academy has also provided young dancers for the festive pantomime at the Blackburn Empire in previous years.

“This is our annual showcase and the Empire Theatre is such a great venue,” she said. “The fact that it’s our 15th anniversary will make it even more special.”

KDA Rewind, Blackburn Empire Theatre, Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29. Details from 01254 685500 or www.blackburnempire.com