Duets
“My dad says I’m the future Patrick Swayze ”
‘Little Robbie’ from Welshpool Primary meets ‘Big Robbie’ from Ballet Cymru
DUETS is a partnership project with Ballet Cymru designed to address fundamental gaps in provision for dance opportunities in Wales. DUETS is about reaching out to engage with people and families, particularly those living in poverty and low socio-economic areas in Wales as well as diverse or marginalised communities.
Ballet Cymru and Welshpool Primary School
After an initial residency in Welshpool Primary School, Impelo has been delivering after-school dance sessions in Ballet and Contemporary dance to our DUETS Scholars in Ysgol Y Cribarth Primary School.
Since October 2021, our DUETS Scholars have:
Taken part in 3 whole-school dance residencies
Tried a variety of dance styles, taught by dance professionals
Performed curtain raisers Theatr Brycheiniog
Performed in an end of term sharing to an audience of 40 family and friends
Choreographed and performed in dance films for the Duets website
Video called the Ballet Cymru professionals in Newport to watch their rehearsals and quiz them on their favourite moves
Taken part in Zoom dance workshops with scholars from across Wales
Taken part in Momentwm - a 3 day residency held in Cardiff in collaboration with National Youth Arts Wales
The project is funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
“We’re excited to be partners in a programme specifically designed to identify talent, provide progression pathways and improve aspiration for young people who would not usually have the opportunity to access and engage with dance.”
Performances at Theatr Brycheiniog
The group have been lucky to perform curtain raisers for Ballet Cymru’s tour of Giselle in October 2021 and Dream in June 2022. This is a unique opportunity for school children to be involved in a professional ballet production. Scholars also received a free ticket to see the performance afterwards, where they see how all their hard work and training pays off and dream of one day being just like the professional dancers.
After rave reviews from family, friends and the Brecon audience, the scholars have now caught the performing bug and can’t wait to get on the stage again!
“I want to see the professionals again because they are amazing and do such elegant moves.”
“I was pretty nervous at first, and two people from my trio weren’t there but you couldn’t see the crowd and it just felt like a practice and it was really good. I had fun! I felt nervous doing the solo by myself but after it was done I felt great!”
“Next time can our piece be 12 minutes long?”
Welshpool Primary School performing their curtain raiser at The Hafren before Ballet Cymru performed ‘Romeo a Juliet’