First 12 students graduate from CAT
Wednesday 29th September 2010
Gallery
Successful academic year for first ever South Asian CAT for students of Kathak and Bharatanatyam dance
The Centre for Advanced Training for South Asian Dance (CAT) at DanceXchange is new and unique within the UK and the 12 students selected have now successfully completed Year 1.
Based in Birmingham, the DanceXchange CAT (South Asian), in partnership with sampad offers world class training in the Kathak and Bharatanatyam genres with the aim of promoting opportunities for exceptionally talented students aged 11 to 18.
Louise O’Hanlon, Programme Manager, DanceXchange Birmingham “We have been able to work with a fantastic range of guest artists such as Saswati Sen (Kathak) and Rama Vaidyanathan (Bharatanatyam) during our Summer Intensive that lead to performing in front of an invited audience”.
“I know the Subject Leaders, Sujata Banerjee and Anusha Subramanyam will join me in congratulating the students on all their hard work and dedication throughout the year. We hope that the passion and artistry they have experienced during the year will stay with them and be a positive influence for the rest of their lives.”
The DanceXchange CAT (South Asian) is run in partnership with sampad South Asian Arts and is part of the Music and Dance Scheme funded by the Department for Education to identify talented students, provide world class training and develop their skills to fulfil ambitions of a career in dance.
Growing recognition of importance of developing South Asian dance genres in the UK and Birmingham’s reputation for Dance training and culture
Birmingham’s DanceXchange is one of just nine recognised National Dance Centres of Advanced Training (CAT) within the UK, offering Contemporary training to talented West Midlands students and the only South Asian CAT offered to students from throughout the UK.
It represents a Government and Dance Industry recognition and growing interest in developing these dance forms within the UK. It is also a reflection of Birmingham’s diverse and nationally recognised Dance training and culture.
Developing student skills to support sustainable dance careers
Just 12 talented young dancers were selected from throughout the UK and are the first to have now completed the first ever CAT (South Asian) in the UK.
To enable students of the CAT (South Asian) to achieve a sustainable career in dance, DanceXchange has explored the career development of students’ and their future training requirements, such as business skills and portfolio careers.
Students graduate from the CAT with a broader range of skills and experience to help them develop a sustainable career within dance or continue their dancing in conjunction with other studies or work.
South Asian CAT Kathak Student: “The past year has been intense and invigorating. My experience at CAT has been invaluable to me in developing both my dancing ability and myself as a person”
CAT (South Asian) accessible to all talented students. Means tested funding available
World-class specialist dance training is offered as part of a broad and balanced non-residential education for 10-18 year olds who show dance talent and potential, regardless of their background
To make it accessible to all, means tested grants are available through the Music and Dance Scheme. This ensures that the specialist, intensive and artist lead training is available to all talented students.
The majority of current CAT (South Asian) students on Year 1 received funding via a part or full grant.
Further details on auditions and an application form are available online at www.dancexchange.org.uk for more details on training available, course content or enquiries contact Louise.O’Hanlon@DanceXchange.org.uk
