Diva Academy perform at Winchester Christmas lights switch on

Young performers from Diva Academy performed in front of more than 10,000 audience members at the event on Thursday, November 16.

The pupils performed songs and dances on stage during the evening.

The academy pupils performing (Image: Diva Academy)Kimberley Read, principal of Diva Academy, told the pupils after their performance: “I’m so proud of your hard work and dedication that led to such a fantastic performance. Your talent and passion for dancing and singing truly shone through, and it was clear that your efforts paid off by the cheers in the crowd.”

As previously reported, staff and volunteers from Winchester Hospice had the honour of switching on the lights this year, after winning a public vote.

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Other local performers on the night included Harestock Primary School Choir, The Pilgrims’ School Chamber Choir, Winchester A Capella, Integr8 Dance, Theatre Royal Winchester, Spitfire Sisters, and the Rock Choir.

Diva Academy pupils on stage (Image: Diva Academy)Winchester BID executive director Paul Spencer said: “We run a Local Heroes competition every year and members of the public can vote for people that they think are doing really special things in our community.

"The hospice got a huge number of votes and the Winchester community wanted to see them up on that stage to celebrate all the great things they do.

“This is the event that kickstarts Christmas in Winchester. We turn on the lights and have lots of local performers up on stage. The market then opens and that is the start of the festive season with lots going on until the big day on the 25th.”