erforming Arts in the local area received a huge boost last week with the beginning of a new, intensive, two-year Performing Arts Diploma for post-sixteen students, which will be run by Bath Dance College in collaboration with Writhlington School.
The carefully-structured course is enabling nineteen students to attend Writhlington Academy every morning, studying their chosen A level or BTEC subjects, before moving across campus every afternoon to Bath Dance College (BDC) with an additional five hours of classes in dance, singing and drama. As well as using the school's brand new dance studios, the students will also have the opportunity to use the 385-seat Prospect Theatre on site. They will also be lucky enough to receive teaching from current and ex-industry professionals, plus guest teachers travelling from around the globe. Already lined up are Bristol's Tobacco Factory and Karen Paisey from the Royal Ballet School.
Bath Dance College is the idea of mother and son, Sue and George Hill, who are passionate about providing training for aspiring performers locally. Sue is well known for her School of Dance in Radstock and George has enjoyed much success within the industry, having been Royal Ballet trained. Sue says: "Having worked in the dance world for over thirty years, providing training within the performing arts is my life's work. Over the years I have seen many talented individuals unable to pursue the career of their dreams, due to financial constraint, so it is with great honour that I am now a Director of BDC – a fully-funded vocational Performing Arts School. Students have previously had to travel to London or the North in order to train at a professional level and now this will no longer be the case."
Potential applicants for next year's course can attend an Open Day which will be held on 18th November, with the opportunity to meet the staff, take part in workshops and find out more about the course. For more details, log on to: http://www.bathdancecollege.co.uk">www.bathdancecollege.co.uk