Exciting Prospects for Graduate Dancers
It has been such a joy to be part of the development of GradPro, one of the best collaborative projects we have ever been involved in! So many people have given their time and enormous expertise to bring this event to its glittering Showcase Final held on Sunday 15th May at Elmhurst Ballet School. The theatre was filled with eager anticipation and support for the very talented graduates as they presented their pieces to an esteemed panel of judges.
The idea for the project, to support graduates who were struggling post pandemic, was only conceived last November by Julie Bowers and Brandon Lawrence. In just a few weeks the name, web site, coaches and support team had been set up and in February this year the regional events were up and running. Over 50 dancers took part in the workshops and coaching sessions which led to individual performances, to finally arrive at the 14 graduates for the Birmingham Showcase Final. Dansez and our marketing partner Reidmark have played a big part in helping to shape the event, alongside Julie and Brandon, and it was a very proud moment for our MD, Samantha, to be at the Showcase Final to present the various awards that Dansez had contributed.
Showcase winner Paige McElligott (middle) receives her award, presented by Doreen Wells.
All the performers and award winners showed immense talent and passion and we look forward to watching their progression in the dance world. In fact, we have just learned that Olivia Chang-Clarke (above right) who received one of the Dansez awards has since been offered an apprenticeship at Birmingham Royal Ballet, how fantastic is that 😀.
