BY THE DANCE SCHOOL OF SCOTLAND
Welcome to our September newsletter for The Dance School of Scotland and its Residency.
WELCOME BACK
We have been back for a few weeks and everything is fully underway. The studios and teaching spaces are busy, we have welcomed in several new young people across our year groups, and, we have our new S1 Dance Course group and S3 Preparatory Theatre Course group.
We also welcome back all returning young people after a well deserved summer break!
2025 ANNUAL SHOWCASE PHOTOS
We finished the last academic period with our annual showcases. The dance course at Theatre Royal Glasgow and the musical theatre course at The Board Walk, Merchant City. We are having a blast looking through the beautiful photos taken from both sets of performances and we will share some online soon.
STUDIOS
Over the summer all 5 of our large studios were painted, which is refreshing to come back to for the start of a new year.
INJURY PREVENTION & RECOVERY
We work closely with Hampden Sports Clinic, who provide our in-house physiotherapy, and this year we are thrilled to release a series of Injury Prevention & Recovery exercise videos. The young people have access to these videos 24/7, providing continuous support in maintaining and caring for their bodies, both physically and mentally. We will continue to add further videos to this provision through industry led consultation and active conversations with the young people.
AUDITIONS
Our senior pupils are already working hard with their audition preparations with many of them beginning their own solo dance choreographies, song choices and monologues.
We will soon be releasing an article from choreographer and former Scottish Ballet/Rambert dancer, Daniel Davidson, where he offers his advice and some initial tools for beginning the choreographic process.
SCOTTISH BALLET YOUTH EXCHANGE
During the summer two of our graduates were selected for the Scottish Ballet Youth Exchange programme.
Aurelia has shared a little about her experience.
“Being part of Scottish Ballet’s Youth Exchange was such an incredible and transformative experience. Throughout the year, we had regular rehearsals, inspiring workshops and performance opportunities at the company’s headquarters. I was lucky to work with a wide range of choreographers and teachers who all brought something different to the studio and pushed me beyond my comfort zone. We even had the chance to take part in a Scottish Ballet company class, which was a real highlight. Over the course of the programme, I have grown as a dancer and a person; I feel freer and more confident in my movement, unafraid to take up space, and developed my communication skills.
One of the most unforgettable experiences was travelling to Vienna, Austria to take part in the world-renowned ImPulsTanz Festival. It was an intense and challenging week, but I loved every second of it! Another standout memory was performing at Dumfries House, followed by an outdoor photoshoot which made the entire day feel extra special.
We had to adapt choreography to dance on concrete at the Merchant City Festival in Glasgow, which challenged me to problem solve and think more creatively. I am very grateful to Scottish Ballet for creating an inspiring space to grow, and I will carry these experiences and lessons with me throughout my dance journey.”
RESIDENCE
This year, the residence is having its first Pupil Council, initiated by the young people in collaboration with the residence staff. This is an exciting new step for the young people at our residence where collaboration, responsibility and voice are at the forefront of their living experience.
The S1 young people took part in a ‘Selfie Scavenger Hunt’! For this game the S1 young people were split in to buddies of two, and answered questions, whereby they required a selfie with the answer. Some of the questions required knowledge of previous years at the school, which meant that the S1 young people needed to speak to members of older year groups to find the answers. This was a fun opportunity for the S1’s to spend time with some of the young people from the other year groups!
The seniors begin their ‘Come Dine With Me’ experience this month. Here the seniors formulate groups and cook for one another. They are required to budget, devise a menu and communicate with each other – building on essential life skills.
In previous newsletters we shared some images of the snug room at our residence going through a revamp. This revamp was led by the young people and supported by the residence staff.
It is now finished. Take a look below!
We hope you enjoyed reading and we wish you all the very best.