Connor dances his way to first prize (From This is Hampshire)

Connor dances his way to first prize

7:00am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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HE mastered his slick dance moves by watching clips on his computer.

Now Connor Harris has impressed a celebrity panel of judges and won first prize in a national dance competition.

The 17-year-old took to the stage for three minutes and showed off his moves in front of 5,000 people at Olympia in London when he reached the final of the Move It Get On Stage competition.

Connor, from Netley, won his place among the final five competitors after racking up dozens of public votes when he posted a video of his hip-hop moves.

Judges including Strictly Come Dancing’s Erin Boag, Britain’s Got Talent act Flawless, and Mandy Montanez from So You Think You Can Dance, then chose Connor to take home the £1,500 prize when they saw what he could do at the Move It dance festival in London.

Now the performing arts pupil at Tauntons College, Southampton, could have doors opened for other performances with famous acts.

He said: “This is one of the biggest things I have ever done. Move It is absolutely huge. I can’t believe I have won the competition.

“I did get a few butterflies but as long as I’m performing I’m happy. It doesn’t matter where or when the performance is, I give 110 per cent.”

After becoming interested in dance two years ago when he took part in the Global Rock Challenge then learning his moves by copying others from an Internet site, Connor has already proved a successful dancer.

The hip-hop, street and contemporary dancer’s performances include a show at a West End theatre, as a finalist in the Talent Call competition in Bournemouth and an appearance on BBC3’s programme Move Like Michael Jackson.

Connor said: “I learnt a lot at the beginning through watching other people on YouTube and copying their moves so I could pick it up.

“Now I don’t want to be like anyone else but anyone who is passionate about dancing is an inspiration to me.”