Talent reigns at Isle of Wight Music, Dance and Drama Festival

Diwata Vu, who is taught by Mary Bowdery and attends The Starlight Academy, won the eight years ballet solo with 86 marks.

She teamed up with Lily Newnham to also win the ten years and under modern duet, earning 85 marks.

Diwata said she is ‘super happy’ about her success at this year's IWMDDF and said it was ‘really fun’.

Diwata Vu and Lily Newnham (Image: Contributions)

Mary Couzens has had incredible success at IWMDDF this year, earning a podium place in 13 classes.

Mary achieved first-place finishes in the acro solo, acro duet, the 14 years and under classical trio and the 14 years and under acro group.

She also placed second in the ballet solo, 14 years and under ballet group and commercial dance group, and the 21 years and under modern group and tap group.

Mary also took bronze in modern solo, musical theatre solo, and the 14 years and under modern group solo, and fourth place in the musical theatre trio class.

Mary and her friends at Fusion Arts Academy will go on to perform qualified routines in the All England Dance regional finals later this year.

Mary Couzens (Image: Contributions)

Grace Dempsey, who attends the Island Free School and is taught by Jeni Law, won the 14-15 years dramatic scenes category, with her version of Keeping Tom.

Also a student of Suzy Morris, Linda Filby and the Joel Morris Dance Academy, Grace entered 11 categories at this year’s IWMDDF, including solos, duets and groups.

Grace’s highlight was winning the 14 years musical theatre solo, performing ‘I speak six languages’, and qualifying for the All England Dance regional finals.

Grace Dempsey (Image: Contributions)

Ellen Careless came first in the 12-15 years contemporary modern piano/film/pop/shows category, performing the Good Omens theme.

Leah Critchison finished joint second with a Disney piece, and Isla Truckell claimed third place with Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol.

Ellen Careless, Leah Critchison and Isla Truckell (Image: Contributions)

Best friends Lola Dewing and Emily Evans clinched victory in the 12-15 years piano duet class with their Russian Festival Dance.

Lola Dewing and Emily Evans (Image: Contributions)

Effie Moss and Lilah Ranson shared the first place trophy in the beginner's piano class.

Effie Moss and Lilah Ranson (Image: Contributions)

Ernie Langridge came first place in the pre-grade to grade one piano class, performing his piece Minuet in C.

Ernie Langridge (Image: Contributions)

Elodie Bailey earned second place in the pre-grade to grade one piano class with Waltz of the Toads, and Polly Careless claimed third, playing Detective Wombat Blues.

Elodie Bailey and Polly Careless (Image: Contributions)