School Holiday Workshops – Alec (aged 15) and his mum Leanne

Meet Alec (aged 15) and his mum Leanne. Hear about their experience with our 15-18 yrs contemporary masterclass offered in Sydney Dance Company’s School Holiday Workshops!

How and when did you start dancing? 

Alec: I started dancing when I was 6 years old at my local studio doing a boys Hip Hop class, and then I realised I actually really enjoyed dancing so I broadened my horizons and started doing more dance styles and exploring my creative skills. 

What do you love the most about dancing?

Alec: I really like how expressive it is, and the way you can train for specific movements but it’s also about portraying a feeling through movement and allowing yourself to feel something from the movement. I love being able to respond to different auditory stimuli and incorporate different textures into movement, playing around with expression. 

How have you found workshops at Sydney Dance Company?

Alec: This has been my first workshop here and I’ve really enjoyed it – there’s been lots of different experiences, learning from different teachers. I really enjoy having different teachers and learning from their different approaches to teaching, hearing their nuggets of wisdom on how we can improve.
I also really like that there is a mix of people from different backgrounds in the room and we all come together and build this community within the space.
One thing that has really stood out to me is how inclusive the teachers are – they’re so passionate and want to support us to improve. They have given detailed corrections and created a safe space which has made us all feel more confident and comfortable.

What has been your favourite class or session so far? 

Alec: I’ve really enjoyed contemporary improvisation. It’s something I do a lot of at school in dance as a subject and it’s been inspiring to play with improvisation in a different way. One of the things that Nat, our teacher, encouraged us to try was to experiment not only with different types of movement but also different energy levels. That has made me really think about how my body was working in a functional sense and how I can manipulate that in response to the stimulus. 

Why did you choose a Sydney Dance Company workshop for your child?

Leanne: The decision was largely Alec’s. I do know Sydney Dance Company because of its incredible reputation. I wanted my child to experience high-quality teaching in a professional environment and grow their skills and confidence, and what better place to do that.

What did they learn from the workshop?

Leanne: Alec came home talking about the new techniques they learned, but more importantly, I noticed his confidence and passion for dance really grew.

Would you recommend our workshops to other parents? Why?

Leanne: Absolutely! The workshops are well-structured, the teachers are fantastic, and it’s such a positive, inspiring environment. It’s worth every moment to see your child so engaged and happy. Alec came on his own this time, and felt really comfortable in the environment, but would absolutely recommend the program to his friends.