Ballet workshop transforms over-50s into Silver Swans!

This week Scottish Ballet arrives in Dundee with Up Close — a rare chance to see the national company in the intimate Dundee Rep Theatre.

Scottish Ballet will also be delivering a range of free workshops to people in the city of all ages, including a special Silver Swans workshop at Dundee International Sports Centre on October 31.

“We created special fun workshops with older dancers in mind,” says Catherine Cassidy, Director of Education at Scottish Ballet.

“Participants can enjoy the opportunity to sample a flavour of a beginner’s ballet class and also to try their hands at some of the current repertoire that the Company is performing.”

The Silver Swans workshops stemmed from the huge success of Scottish Ballet’s Regenerate classes for over-50s dancers in Glasgow.

“The Regenerate classes have been running for at least eight years now,” adds Catherine, “and we have 100 ladies coming to classes with us each week, with a rapidly growing waiting list.

“These sessions can be really sociable and fun — often participants come along in small groups and welcome the opportunity to make friends and meet new people. You don’t need to have any previous dance experience and can expect a relaxed and friendly environment.

“At the moment we’re working on Elite Syncopations which you can see on our Up Close tour. All you require is comfortable clothing and soft shoes, socks or bare feet.”

There are many benefits to participants. As well as the opportunity to enjoy dancing gracefully to live musical accompaniment, they are led by experienced teachers who are considerate of the requirements and abilities of a senior dancer.

Ballet promotes good posture and lengthens and strengthens the muscles, improves coordination, flexibility and balance.

“Our participants keep coming back because it makes them feel healthy and supple, and boosts circulation,” explains Catherine. “Participants often get caught up in the enjoyment and social side of it so much so that they forget they’re actually exercising!”

Silver Swans is but one of many of the vast range of classes and workshops that Scottish Ballet provides in Scotland. “If our audiences

Scottish Ballet’s Catherine Cassidy. aren’t as interested in taking to the floor for an active workshop, we offer engaging free pre-show talks and post-show discussions,” adds Catherine.

“The joy of dancing takes me back to when I was young and dance was a big part of my life. My health, flexibility and strength have improved — and the challenge of picking up steps and remembering them is great,” says Joyce, a Silver Swans participant.

“Working with new teachers and choreographers is fantastic and continues the challenge.

“The social aspect that I get on a weekly basis is very important to me on a greater level,” Joyce adds.

The free Silver Swans workshop will take place at Dundee International Sports Centre on October 31 from 4pm-6pm. Scottish Ballet will be performing Up Close at Dundee Rep Theatre on Friday October 31 and Saturday November 1.

For information on how to book visit www.scottishballet.co.uk/upclose.