Local Dance school brings dance to all

 

Dorchester ballet and dance club is a local charity dedicated to, as their maxim states, bringing dance to all regardless of age, wealth or ability.

 

We’ve spoken to Vanessa Williams, a volunteer involved with the club for 25 years when her own daughter (now a professional dancer) Holly Williams joined. Later she joined classes herself in 2005 before she became treasurer, and since been co-chair of the management committee.

 

DB&D offer a range of classes for children and adults both graded and non-graded from a range of incredible teachers. But what is it about DB&D which makes it unique? Williams shared her thoughts on this: “As a charity the emphasis is not on making money but enabling as many people as possible to dance.” Students are encouraged by the countless volunteers who devote their time to the club and its students. Williams commented that there is “a strong sense of maintaining the dance school's ethos” in the name of the late Miss Goodchild, whom co-founded the club in 1958 and herself taught many of those involved with the club as children. The upholding of the DB&D ethos is arguably what makes the club so special as it strives to be inclusive to all no matter “age, wealth or ability.”

 

Currently DB&D are in full swing of rehearsals for their show “The Shattered Spectrum” appearing at the Weymouth Pavilion on the 16th March. While the students have been learning and perfecting their dances in classes from September, behind the scenes planning begins a whole year beforehand! From storytelling to allocating classes to making new (as well as revamping the old) costumes, there is a never-ending list of things to be done. This year a record breaking 404 costumes are being used!

 

As they say goodbye to many senior dancers who have been with the club for 15+ years, DB&D can rest easy knowing they not only provided an education but a family for all those who danced with them.