DREAMS COME TRUE FOR STOKE'S TOP TALENT COUSINS
TWO young dancers who learned their moves from watching music videos on YouTube are on the verge of realising their dreams – thanks to Stoke's Top Talent.
Tomorrow cousins Aaron and Andrew Corden begin a four-year course at a top dance school in Cambridge, days after coming second in the talent contest.
Judges Nikki Wheeler and Phil "The Power" Taylor were so impressed by the two 17-year-olds that they have arranged places for them at the Bodywork Company Dance Studio.
Nikki, the choreographer wife of Jonathan Wilkes, pulled strings to secure the places, while darts legend Phil and an anonymous businessman agreed to pay the boys' fees, which will run into thousands of pounds.
Before Saturday's grand final, the boys were both on vocational courses at Stoke-on-TrentCollege after realising they could never afford to go to a dance school.
But today they will be making their way to Cambridge on the first steps of a journey that could eventually see them become professional dancers.
Aaron, of Newhouse Road, Abbey Hulton, said: "We wanted to go to dance school after we got to last year's final of Stoke's Top Talent, but the money was the problem. We've both just started courses at college, I was doing technical theatre and Andrew was doing joinery.
"But it was always our dream to go to dance school and become professional dancers. At the end of the final, Nikki Wheeler started crying and said we shouldn't have to go to college and do something we don't want to do, and that's when she announced on stage that we were going to the dance school.
"It was a bit of a surprise. It shows hard work does pay off eventually."
Aaron and Andrew, who perform as Two Fresh Crew, reached the final of Stoke's Top Talent 2008, and were the runners-up in this year's contest behind 28-year-old singer Su Annagib.
Their success is all the more impressive considering they only took up break dancing and street dancing two years ago and have never had any formal training.
Andrew, from Stockton Brook, said: "I suppose it started when Andrew learnt a Michael Jackson dance routine. Then we saw the film Step Up and that really inspired us.
"Basically, we've learnt how to dance just by watching DVDs and music videos on YouTube. It usually takes us about six weeks to learn a new routine.
"We were a bit less nervous at the final this time. We felt more ready, and I think we got it all right. It was a tough competition, better than last year.
"It was disappointing not to win, but we've got something even better now."
Andrew's mum Jacqueline said she was immensely grateful to Phil and Nikki and everyone involved in Stoke's Top Talent for giving the boys this opportunity.
She said: "It's been absolutely fantastic, we're all so happy for Andrew and Aaron. They've shown real dedication since they started when they were 15.
"They've also been teaching young children how to dance as well. They don't charge anything for it. They've been a real inspiration to others."
Aaron's dad Gary Corden said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the boys. It's been all they've wanted to do since they started dancing."
Story and Photographs Courtesy of Staffordshire Sentinel News and Media Ltd, Stoke-on-Trent