Jones the Dance has announced that young dancers in projects Quiet Beats (in Cardiff) and Jones Bach (in Newtown) will work with leading dancers from Australia and across the UK this May half term for young people (aged 7 to 16 years). Both projects are part of their Young Company, which are run by two of the company’s Dance Artists, Amber Howells and Eli Williams.
Quiet Beats brings transformational dance experiences to d/Deaf young people aged between 7-16, who may have not yet been able to experience dance and movement due to barriers often faced in traditional dance class settings. Quiet Beats will run at Rubicon Dance studio in Cardiff.
“I love that he is choosing to dance and enjoy it. That it's local for us and he can have the opportunity to be with other Deaf people and be immersed in BSL.”- parent Young Company member.
Jones Bach brings creative dance experiences to young people in north Powys who do not often have access to contemporary dance. The company wants to create opportunities for young people to excel and not to be held back by living in a rurally isolated area of Wales.
“Jones Bach give me the freedom to be myself…I have got new skills and techniques and I have made such good friends.” – Jones Bach participant.
The company says it wants to provide high quality creative dance experiences and opportunities for young people who might not usually get access to dance due to barriers such as being d/Deaf or living in more rural parts of Wales. Both groups will be introduced to different dance styles and approaches with a creative twist, lead by a different guest professional dancer each day through the week. The guest dancers include D/deaf dancer Anna Seymore who is currently working with Candoco and Jayden Reid and has recently been working with Jones the Dance on their production of Y Dewis.
“We want to create opportunities for young d/Deaf and some of the most rurally isolated people in Wales to be the dancers of tomorrow if they wish. We will support young people to reach their potential and gain the immense confidence that can be achieved through dance opportunities- in a supportive, creative, and fun environment,” Artistic Director, Gwyn Emberton.
Quiet Beats will run at Rubicon Dance in Cardiff from Wednesday 29th May to Friday 31st May and Jones Bach will run in Fit4life in Newtown from Tuesday 28th May to Friday 31st May. Anyone age 7-16 is welcome to join and any skill levels are welcome to come and give it a try. The company would like everyone to come and give it a try and reassures people that they do not have to stay if it is not for them- although they think it may well light a spark that will stay with them for life.
Projects Quiet Beats and Jones Bach are as part of Jones the Dance’s Young Company which is funded by Arts Council Wales.
For more information, please contact producer Kama Roberts on info_and_admin@jonesthedance.com