Christophe Château: Bound for Munich

A DANCE teacher from Jersey has been chosen to judge one of the biggest dance competitions in Europe.

Christophe Château, of St Brelade, is flying to Germany in March to be a judge at a section of the 2010 Dance World Cup.

Last year Jersey hosted the final and welcomed more than 1,000 dancers from 19 countries, performing between them 425 dance routines and combinations.

The 38-year-old tap teacher will have to choose from more than 800 dance students during the competition, which takes place over four days in Munich. The winners will move on to compete against other finalists from all over the world.

The competition covers a wide range of dance genres, from tap dance to hip hop as well as the more traditional forms, including ballet and jazz.

Christophe said: ‘I am delighted. It was a great honour simply to be asked and considered, let alone to then be selected. It’s also great to represent Jersey abroad, especially as a male dance judge.

‘I am also keen to encourage more boys to try dance, or to at least keep dancing, and hopefully these kinds of competitions are doing their bit to encourage both boys and girls to dance and show off their skills.’

This year the Channel Island qualifier for the 2010 Dance World Cup is being held at the Beau Séjour Centre in Guernsey on 19 and 20 March. Judges from Germany and London’s West End will travel there for the competition, which is open to all dancers across the Channel Islands who attend local dance schools.

Anyone lucky enough to get through will be offered a place at the final, which this year is being hosted in Sardinia at the end of June.

For more information on the Dance World Cup, contact the dance schools or email danceworldcup@aol.co.uk.