Students prepare for a 'day of dance'

Dance students at Gower College Swansea have an exciting opportunity to work with the National Dance Company Wales (NDCW) during the half term holidays.

A Day of Dance gives students a chance to work with professional contemporary dancers on developing technique and learning repertoire. The NDCW has toured nationally and internationally and has a long standing connection with both Gower College Swansea and the County Youth Dance Company (CYDC), which is hosted at the Gorseinon campus.

“It is important for us to engage with such a prestigious and successful company and give students the opportunity to challenge their skills and work with some of the best contemporary dancers in Wales,” says lecturer Julie Hobday.

“Dance has long been a major tradition at Gower College Swansea with many students progressing into the industry as successful performers and practitioners,” adds Learning Area Manager David Lloyd Jones. “Also, as the centre of activity for the CYDC, we encourage all our dance students to audition and to participate in the rehearsals that we facilitate here on campus.”

The Day of Dance is just one of many opportunities that Gower College Swansea students and CYDC members have had in recent months.

Seven students were shortlisted by the Frantic Assembly physical theatre company, who have been auditioning across the UK for a youth company. If successful, they will be among just 12 young performers to get a chance to work with the company for a week.

Students have also worked with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Company, bringing young dancers from across Swansea to Gower College Swansea for an open audition for Lord of the Flies, which is being performed at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. Five students were shortlisted with two - brothers Anthony and Amukelani Matsena - gaining a place to work on this unique production.