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Wednesday
22 March 2006
CURTAIN RISES ON
CALDERDALE COLLEGE
DANCE ACADEMY
A
unique new dance
academy for 16 – 18-year-olds,
offering two days
of dance training
in a professional
studio alongside
A-levels and vocational
qualifications, was
announced today by
Calderdale College,
in partnership with
the Dorothy Stevens
School of Dance in
Lightcliffe. The
Calderdale College
Dance Academy is
the only institution
in the country to
offer dancers this
kind of opportunity
for free.
Due to be launched
in September, the
Dance Academy will
offer 25 places to
talented young dancers
following auditions
on 12 and 13 April
and again in June.
There are openings
for young people
with natural talent
and ability as well
as those already
trained to high levels.
Contemporary, tap
and jazz dance will
be taught in conjunction
with classical ballet
and vocational qualifications
can include a BTEC
in Dance, Performing
Arts and Musical
Theatre. Students
will be able to progress
to degree and masters
levels with a Foundation
Degree in dance,
choreography and
dance instruction.
Dorothy Stevens,
MBE, whose former
students perform
in classical ballet
companies and musical
theatre throughout
the world, is to
be artistic director.
Deana Morgan, formerly
a professional jazz
dancer who now runs
the D M Dance Academy
in Shipley, is to
be director of the
Calderdale College
Dance Academy.
“This project
is very dear to my
heart and one that
I am delighted to
have been able to
help into being”,
said Miss Stevens,
who has been teaching
dance for 64 years
and received an MBE
in the Queens Golden
Jubilee birthday
Honours list for
her work and achievements
with young people
both locally and
around the world. “The
Dance Academy will
give more young people
the opportunity to
train to a very high
standard. A classical
training is paramount
to producing the
best standard of
musical theatre.”
The
Dance Academy is
one of three Academies
for 16 – 18-year-olds
to be established
by Calderdale College
in the last six months.
The Football Academy,
tied in with Halifax
Town FC was launched
in September and
the Rugby League
Academy in association
with Halifax Rugby
League FC was announced
earlier this month.
Details of a Girls’ Football
Academy are expected
shortly.
“We’re
very proud that Calderdale
is leading the way
with these new opportunities
and, in this instance,
providing a blueprint
for other colleges”,
said Monica Box,
principal of Calderdale
College. “Combining
a serious talent
or interest with
vocational and academic
qualifications keeps
doors open for young
people, and gives
them the chance to
have the education
that they deserve”.
More information
on the Calderdale
College Dance Academy
is available from
Elizabeth Neave at
Navigator Educational
Services on 01274
421672. |