He may have only been dancing for two-and-a-half years, but Brad Corbyn, from Kingsteignton, has shown he has the talent only some dancers dream of after scooping seven first prizes – including the championship gold medal – in the overall junior modern section in the in the 92nd City of Plymouth Dance Festival, last week. Despite recently breaking his collarbone and having to adapt dances to cope with the injury, Brad also took home two-second prizes and four third prizes at the competition, which took place at the Athaneaum Theatre. The teenager learns modern, jazz, tap and ballet at the Buckingham Dance Studios, Paignton and was thrilled to win so many awards. 'I thought I might come home with two,' said the modest dancer. 'But I was shocked to come back with the championship gold medal.' Altogether Brad danced 13 times during the course of the festival and was pleased to get the highest mark in any of the improvisation classes, highest mark in any of the novice classes and highest mark for best sense of comedy in any routine. He was also delighted to win the cup for the highest scoring trio in the whole festival, where he performed with James Mackie and Stephanie Clift from the Torbay area. Adjudicator Chris Hocking, head of dance at the prestigious Arts Education Schools, London, also commented on Brad's flair and skill. Brad is currently starring as Billy Elliot in the Babbacombe Theatre show The Magic of Variety and would love to be a professional dancer after finishing his education and is looking into possibilities of going to a renowned dance school in the future. 'I'd love to perform in some good West End shows,' he said.
