Studio a 'lifeline' for aspiring dancers

2 hours ago

Hsin-Yi LoSouth East

News image — Donny Beau Ferris said the dance school had helped many young people follow their dreams

Dominic King/BBC A blond man wearing a brown t-shirt. He is looking at the camera and smiling. — Donny Beau Ferris said the dance school had helped many young people follow their dreams

Not everyone gets the chance to discover a love of dance, but one studio in Kent is working to change that.

The Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company opened its dance studio, JV Home, in Ashford in late 2022.

In the past two years, it has subsidised more than 60 students through its JV2 training programme.

Donny Beau Ferris, from Whitstable, told BBC Radio Kent the company had "reshaped his entire life", as well as making it possible for the county's young people to pursue a career in dance.

"I am very fortunate and grateful that I had the Yasmin Vardimon Company right at my doorstep," the 26-year-old said.

"It's hard to get into the dance scene and art industry."

Beau Ferris was part of the company's youth programme and following this, he has worked with other choreographers in various productions.

"For people living in Kent, it's very difficult to find a place to develop yourself as an artist," he adds.

Dominic King/BBC A woman with long brown hair and wearing a white top. There are dancers training behind her. — May Wolfe said she had a lot of opportunities to meet people from all over the world

May Wolfe, 22, from Whitstable, said she had applied for a bursary through the company to pay for a dance course.

"I love what I do, it's so cool and exciting being at the dance school. You meet everyone from all over the world," she said.

The company also offers community classes, summer intensive courses and school programmes.

Suzy Carter, who teaches at Tower School and Sixth Form College, said some students were inspired to take up dance after viewing productions by the company.

Dominic King/BBC A woman with short dark hair is sitting at a theatre, with the stage behind her. She is looking at the camera with her hand resting under her chin. — Jasmin Vardimon said opening the school in Kent meant local students could have access to advanced dance training

Jasmin Vardimon MBE told BBC Radio Kent: "We are helping a generation of people who do not think it is possible for them to join the world of dance.

"We now have a growing audience of people who come to see our productions before we go on tour."

Vardimon was an artistic director of National Youth Dance Company and she has been described as a "leading force" in the British dance theatre for more than 20 years.

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