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Recent Achievements
The Dance Development Officer's role is to help develop the ideas and aspirations of dancers of all ages in the Skye and Lochalsh area by setting up , tutoring and maintaining classes in classical, modern and traditional dance, and to encourage & support local dance groups as well as facilitating the setting up of new classes across the area.
Over the past 12 months, SkyeDance have acheived a great deal.
The Dance Development Officer has worked with primary and high school pupils during the school time table and organised holiday dance/theatre projects in creative/contemporary dance, social development games, stretching and dance technique, musical theatre, modern and jazz.
She has organised 11 new Youth Dance classes in Skye and Lochalsh run on a weekly basis (Ballet, Highland, Scottish Country, creative dance & modern styles) as well as working with local youth cafes offering street dance involving boys and girls aged 12 – 18.
SkyeDance have collaborated with other projects in the area. Lorayne networks with many educational and dance organisations/companies on projects which will have a positive effect on dance in the areaincluding Dundee Contemporary College, Eden Court Theatre, Portree YMCA, Salsa North, Y Dance, Active Schools etc. SkyeDance have worked in partnership with the Eden Court Theatre outreach worker to produce the musical “Grease” which had three sell out performances in Portree , and they are already in rehearsals for another joint musical production which will be performed in December. She is also working in partnership with PE departments at Portree and Plockton High to develop dance in the curriculum for girls and boys while liaising with Primary school head teachers to help them include dance in school time.
High school pupils from Plockton and Portree were involved in workshops provided by the Scottish Dance Theatre and were also taken to see their recent performance in Sleat.
Two modern dance classes are now run after school at Portree and Plockton High - Hip hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Musical theatre, choreography. and are tutored by the Dance Development Officer. Even though not meeting until the day before these two classes came together to perform a hip hop, contemporary and theatre dances at the recent Skyedance showcase at Aros.
The Dance Development Officer is constantly researching and identifying the need for dance in Skye and Lochalsh. Recent research highlighted that Highland, Salsa and Modern dance styles were very popular and SkyeDance were able to respond to this, providing workshops requested by the local community including;- Step dance and Appalachian clog dancing; Salsa Night/Master class (facilitated by “Salsa North’s” Jermaine and Campbell McCracken); Scottish country dance provision for children (now a well established class running in Dunvegan where there was no provision for youth dance at all).
Highland dance is regaining the high profile it previously enjoyed. Three Highland classes in Portree are very well attended and a Beginners class was set up for children to begin at a young age. In Ardvasar in the South of Skye ther is now a Beginners class and an Advanced class .
Step and old time dance is now coming into fashion again and we hope to provide classes in these styles. Classical ballet has now become well established in the north and the south of the area with over 60 children between ages 4 and 17 attending.
SkyeDance assist around 9 dance groups by providing advice, help with advertising, administration and legalities and help with financial struggles.
The SkyeDance website has been launched and is managed voluntarily by a professional. This will contribute to keeping local groups and all internet users informed of SkyeDance activity.
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