PRIMARY STEPS PROGRAMME
A NATIONAL JUNIOR SCHOOL PROGRAMME
Our Primary Steps programme is run in partnership with the Royal Ballet School, Dance Partnership and Access Programme and supported by the Department for Education.
It is a national junior schools programme that aims to provide year 3-6 class groups (7-11-year-olds) with a positive introduction to creative ballet training for selected children who would not otherwise have the opportunity.
The programme is funded by the Department for Education and works to provide access to creative ballet education for thousands of children, targeting areas of social, economic and cultural diversity. We work with the Royal Ballet School and a cluster of junior schools to deliver the programme.
Primary Steps meets at Swindon Dance on Wednesdays, 4:00-7:45 p.m. Dancers receive weekly classes co-led by a classical ballet specialist and a creative dance specialist who work together to develop pupils’ creative knowledge and skills through foundation ballet, contemporary and creative dance techniques. All classes are accompanied by live music.
Students along with their parents/careers also receive mentoring and one-to-one meetings to look at progression, aspirations and basic goal planning. There are also opportunities to see the Royal Ballet School students in training, professional dancers performing and opportunities to perform.
CLASS TIMES
Wednesdays 4.00pm - 7.45pm
All classes take part during term time only
Entry is by participating school only
WHAT TO EXPECT
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1
Primary Steps meets at Swindon Dance on Wednesdays, 4:00-7:45 p.m. Dancers receive weekly classes co-led by a classical ballet specialist and a creative dance specialist who work together to develop pupils’ creative knowledge and skills through foundation ballet, contemporary and creative dance techniques. All classes are accompanied by live music.
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2
Students along with their parents/careers also receive mentoring and one-to-one meetings to look at progression, aspirations and basic goal planning. There are also opportunities to see the Royal Ballet School students in training, professional dancers performing and opportunities to perform.
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3
Before graduating from our programme, every effort is made to signpost Primary Steps pupils to further dance opportunities. At Swindon Dance these include; STEPS2, The Centre for Advanced Training, Swindon Youth Dance Company (SYDCO), a variety of different evening and weekend classes, workshops, and dance performances/events.
Meet your instructor
Amy Giancarlo
BA (HONS), RBS DDT, ARAD, LRAD, RAD RTS PRIMARY STEPS TEACHER
Amy first trained as a ballet teacher at the Royal Academy of Dance, earning BA (Hons) in Ballet Education in 2011. Eager to advance her teaching practice, Amy enrolled onto the Diploma in Dance Teaching at The Royal Ballet School, graduating from the Educational Strand in 2020. Amy is a qualified Progressing Ballet Technique teacher, Barre instructor and STOTT Pilates Mat work instructor. She is a Trustee to the Royal Academy of Dance and tutors on their teacher training programmes. Her written work is published in The Dancing Times and Dance Gazette. In addition to her work with Primary Steps, Amy is a cover teacher for The Royal Ballet School’s Associate programme. She also teaches at Rambert, Central School of Ballet Junior School, Trinity Laban Centre for Advanced Training and Thomas’s London Day Schools. Previously, she has assisted with outreach programmes at The Royal Opera House and BalletBoyz.
Meet your instructor
Holly Osmond
PRIMARY STEPS TEACHER
Born in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Holly trained locally from an early age. She was selected as an RAD York Scholar at the age of 13, later becoming a Senior Associate of The Royal Ballet School. Holly continued her training vocationally, embarking on a 3-year diploma course at London Studio Centre. This led to a varied career in the world of dance, musical theatre, and acting, where she performed in a large variety of shows including regional theatre, several national tours, and The West End. Alongside performing, Holly taught ballet on a freelance basis in London for many years. She is an Assistant Dance Artist for English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s programme in Oxford, and volunteers with dance charity, Dance Creative. Holly is currently in her second year on The Royal Ballet School’s Diploma of Dance Teaching course.
Meet your musician
Christine Evans
GTLC (HONS) PRIMARY STEPS MUSICIAN
Amy first trained as a ballet teacher at the Royal Academy of Dance, earning BA (Hons) in Ballet Education in 2011. Eager to advance her teaching practice, Amy enrolled onto the Diploma in Dance Teaching at The Royal Ballet School, graduating from the Educational Strand in 2020. Amy is a qualified Progressing Ballet Technique teacher, Barre instructor and STOTT Pilates Mat work instructor. She is a Trustee to the Royal Academy of Dance and tutors on their teacher training programmes. Her written work is published in The Dancing Times and Dance Gazette. In addition to her work with Primary Steps, Amy is a cover teacher for The Royal Ballet School’s Associate programme. She also teaches at Rambert, Central School of Ballet Junior School, Trinity Laban Centre for Advanced Training and Thomas’s London Day Schools. Previously, she has assisted with outreach programmes at The Royal Opera House and BalletBoyz.
PARENT QUOTES
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN THE PRIMARY STEPS PROGRAMME
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
For further information contact 01793 601700 or email: sarah.fletcher@swindondance.org.uk