CatStrand Young Creatives 'Dance Steps' Initiative.

Each month, participants will be introduced to a different dance form in these high energetic workshops, led by profressional dancers and dance tutors.

Workshops will include jazz and tap, hip hop, street dance, musical theatre, ballet and much more. Participants will also have the opportunity to us the 'Dance Space' session on a thursday bi weekly basis.

Participants are encouraged to attend all monthly sessions to benefit from this opportunity. No experience necessary.

Introducing the Dance Steps Teachers

Hello I’m Kathryn and I am the principal of K.C Dance. I started my dance training at the age of 5 at my local dance school. My love for dance led me to audition for Scottish Ballet’s junior associate programme where I trained for a year.

In 2008 I successfully auditioned for The Dance School of Scotland where I trained for 6 years. During this time I got to perform on stages such as the Theatre Royal, the Kings Theatre and the Royal Concert Hall and completed my ballet, tap and modern exams, gaining 93% in my advanced 2 modern. From there I gained fully funded places at top colleges in London such as Bird College, Bodyworks, Millennium Performing Arts and the Royal Academy of Dance.

I went to Bird College where I trained for 3 years and gained my diploma in Dance and Musical Theatre.

Throughout these years I worked with top choreographers in London and was taught by some of the best in the industry. My love for dance then led me to teaching. I am incredibly passionate about my job and strive to get the best from the kids that I teach.

I began teaching at Emma Jackson School of Dance in 2019 where I taught ballet, jazz and did choreography for competitions and shows. I then started working for Dansarena in 2020 where I taught ISTD Modern, tap and jazz.

In 2021 I started working for Dumfries School of Dance, teaching contemporary and ballet. I am also currently undertaking my DDE Modern and Tap teaching qualification which will enable me to send kids into dance exams in the future.

I love my job so much and find it incredibly rewarding. I feel so privileged that I can share my passion for dance and pass on my knowledge through teaching.

Hello, I'm Andre. I have been dancing for 12 years in multiple styles but have worked professionally in contemporary physical theatre and dance theatre whilst still occasionally practising other forms of dance. This has all informed my work when making my own work. You can often see me teaching drama at Dumfries Theatre Royal, working in Glasgow or working on projects in the UK!

'Sara Shackleton is a local dance artist and teacher of Margaret Morris Movement (MMM); a form of Modern Dance created by pioneer Margaret Morris in 1910. In its infancy MMM was a progressive dance technique and today it remains relevant in addressing many of the health and wellbeing needs of contemporary life. Sara qualified to teach MMM in 1998 and currently delivers regular sessions locally in Dumfries and Galloway, as well as workshops in Edinburgh and Perth. Alongside her teaching practice, Sara is a dancer with not-for-profit dance company 'Les Impromptues' who perform 'surprise poetic dances, spreading joy and positivity'.

Sara currently runs the Margaret Morris Movement dance classes for under 12s on Mondays at the CatStrand. She will be running Choreogrpahy skills as art of the Dance Steps initative.

Emma started dancing at the age of 6 where she studied ballet, tap and modern dance at Wilson centre of drama and dance., West Yorkshire.

Emma graduated with BA Hons in communication and performing arts: Dance from the University of Ripon in York.

Emma is a fully qualified dance teacher and holds qualification in teaching dance to children level 3 and progressing ballet technique.

She is an experienced, professional, dedicated dance teacher who has taught dance across the region to school, community groups, charities and children parties.

Emma will be teaching ballet as part of the dance Steps initiative.

Dates for 2023

25th March - Musical Theatre | 2pm - 5pm - (Kathryn) 29th April - Theatrical Jazz| 2pm - 5pm - (Kathryn) 27th May - Ballet | 2.30pm - 5.3pm (Emma Louise) 10th June - Hip Hop | 2pm - 5pm (Kathryn) 1st July - Commercial (music video dance) 2pm - 5pm (Kathyrn)

29th July - Contemporary Dance Theatre | 2pm - 5pm (Andre) 2nd September - Choreography Skills | 2pm - 5pm (Sara) 16th September - Lyrical | 2pm - 5pm (Kathryn) 14th October - Jazz - ‘Chicago’ | 2pm - 5pm (Kathryn) November - Musical theatre - Thriller | 2pm - 5pm (Kathryn) 16th December - TBC | 2pm - 5pm (Kathryn)

For more information or to book visit www.csyoungcreatives.com/whats-on