Youth Programs: Anders and Alissa’s Experience

Each year, Sydney Dance Company engages thousands of young people at schools and theatres across the country, sparking lifelong loves of dance. Hear from Anders and his mum Alissa’s about their discovery of dance together, first at school and then in the studio.

What do you love about dance?

Anders: I love dance because you can do funky moves, it is fun and you get your body moving. You follow the teacher but also get to do your own moves.

What was your first experience with Sydney Dance Company?

Anders: My first experience with Sydney Dance Company was them coming to my school. We did one lesson each week for six weeks. When we were dancing, they got us into groups and we could collaborate with each other to make up dances. Everyone really enjoyed it and had fun.

What inspired you and your child to continue your dance journey at Sydney Dance Company?

Alissa: I had never had a dance journey until Anders introduced the Sydney Dance Company to me! Earlier this year he started talking about the Primary Education Workshop Series with Sydney Dance Company that he was doing at his school. He was loving it so I looked up the website to see that Sydney Dance Company had family classes we could do together. I had never done a dance class in my life; it wasn’t on my radar of things to do. However, I was very keen to sign up so we could learn and have fun together. The teachers are extremely professional and encouraging which is great because everyone in the class is different in their level of skill (including me as a beginner!).

What is your favourite thing about the workshops you’ve done at Sydney Dance Company?

Anders: Learning different styles of dance, learning how to co-operate and collaborate with others. My favourite style is theatre jazz which has great moves and is easy to learn.

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How have you found the families classes at Sydney Dance Company?

Anders: The family classes have been fun, exciting and thrilling. I highly recommend doing this because you can have fun with your parent and see how good they are at dancing. At one of the classes, we got to do some moves together and it made us smile and laugh each time we did it!

Alissa: It’s been fantastic and really special to do together. Where else can a parent do a class to learn something new with their child?! It’s wonderful to be out of my comfort zone and especially modelling that to Anders. Having said that, he’s even more adventurous than me. I’m pretty terrible at dancing but that’s ok, it’s fun and that’s all that matters. It gets our happy chemicals flowing, thank you Sydney Dance Company!

Would you recommend Sydney Dance Company activities to other parents and schools?

Alissa: I would absolutely recommend the family dances classes to others! Anders obviously loved the Sydney Dance Company classes at school, he suddenly started talking about them every week and showing me the moves. It’s been wonderful for Anders to introduce a new thing to me that we can learn and enjoy together. We have tried a few different styles in the family dance classes including hip hop which I’ve never done before. In the most recent class of theatre jazz, we did steps together and then did them again when we came home. It felt so fun, free and joyous! You definitely see the smiles and enjoyment of the other families there.