The community-ran Parkes School of Dance are training the next generation of dance teachers through the DanceStep program.
In 2024 this valuable training was supported by Arts OutWest through the NSW Government’s Country Arts Support Program.
The small $1000 grant allowed for Parkes School of Dance to implement formal training for student dance assistants, through the DanceStep syllabus, to develop future dance teachers. Four dancers became Dance Steppers, with a studio teacher mentor. The grant covered the lifetime membership of PSD to DanceStep and subsidised the enrolment of the four dancers (and a t-shirt).
“We furthered the grant by engaging an experienced recently retired school teacher to further mentor both our teachers and Dance Steppers,” dance teacher Natalie Williams reported.
The key success were four students aged 10years+ begun and continued their Dance Step journey to learn through theory and practice how to assist in a dance class.
“These dancers were then able to rise to the challenge in class, and at community events and activations and our end of year performance. Building relationships across the studio has been extremely valuable,” Natalie said.
“Families appreciate having formed ‘buddy’ dancers across the studio. These role models, both male and female have been pivotal from a teacher’s perspective as well as from our dance families and committee.” Natalie said.
” Having four role models, who themselves are young people, both male and female was a key success in providing role models for all of our young people,” Natalie said.
