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Silver Swans Celebration

Sunday 2 November 2025

Events → Short course/Workshop → Silver Swans Celebration

Booking Deadline:

Monday 20 October 2025

Event Date:

Sunday 2 November 2025

Country:

Location:

Edinburgh

Who’s it for?

Suitable for participants age 55+

Fee:

From £14

Contact:

participate@rad.org.uk

Book from 3 September →

This Celebration is offered in partnership with Dance Base as a creative community in Edinburgh making dance accessible to everyone.

On Sunday 2 November, join us for a special day of workshops for people aged 55+, held in conjunction with the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. The programme offers a connecting and artistic experience designed to open up new possibilities, and find renewed joy in movement.

The Celebration workshops are about sparking curiosity and giving you the chance to experience dance in a welcoming, supportive environment. Through the RAD’s global Silver Swans network, we recognise dance as a powerful way to improve and maintain both individual and collective wellbeing.

Workshop information

You can look forward to:

  • Exploring Repertoire
    Step into the world of classical ballet repertoire. These workshops offer insight into well-known productions and choreography, bringing the stage into the studio. Participants will be encouraged to develop artistry and musicality while deepening their appreciation and love for ballet and movement.
  • Seated Dance
    A gentle, low-impact workshop designed to mobilise the joints and strengthen muscles while working safely from a seated position. Using a range of techniques, participants will coordinate body and breath, enhancing mobility and wellbeing in an accessible format.
  • Silver Swans (Gentle/Steady)
    Specially created for older learners, Silver Swans supports posture, coordination, and energy levels in a nurturing and welcoming environment. With a mindful approach, these classes focus on building a foundation in classical ballet while working at a calm, steady pace.
  • Pilates
    A practice that enriches both body and mind, Pilates uses the breath to support the core, alignment, and balance. For dancers, Pilates helps maintain strength and flexibility without strain. Take a moment for a sense of calm and release at the start of the day.
  • Move to the Musicals
    Enjoy uplifting movement sequences inspired by musical theatre and jazz. With familiar songs and lively rhythms, this fun and welcoming workshop offers a joyful introduction to dance, encouraging expression and playfulness.
  • Contemporary Dance
    Led by PRIME’s Artistic Director, this workshop explores contemporary dance techniques through dynamic movement and creativity. Participants will be guided to connect with their bodies and enjoy the freedom of contemporary dance practice.
  • PRIME dance company in rehearsal
    An exclusive opportunity to observe PRIME, Dance Base’s in-house elders company, as they begin work on new choreography. Renowned for their progressive and creative performances, PRIME offers a behind-the-scenes look at the process of making original work.

Timetable

View the full timetable. We suggest choosing no more than 3 workshops.

Book from 3 September →

Further information

Venue

Dance Base, 14-16 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JU

Faculty

Hannah Bailes (Move to the Musicals)

Hannah is a community dance artist, educator and teacher. Having achieved a Performing Arts degree at St Martin’s College, and a Masters in Dance Studies, at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Dance and Music, Hannah also went on to qualify as a teacher of dance with the Middlesex University.

Her teaching practice spans 15 years, including work within community settings, primary and secondary schools, and further education institutions.

Hannah was a key member of the European Parliament Dance and Wellbeing in Mental Health discussions and is an ambassador for the Dance and Creative Wellness Foundation based in the Netherlands. She also contributed to the Dance for Lifelong Wellbeing research and conference held at the Royal Academy of Dance. Hannah regularly performs a variety of dance styles at festivals and events all over Europe and the UK.

Hannah delivers weekly Move to the Musicals classes in London at the RAD and works with Katherine Low Settlement on their programme of outreach activity.

Vikki Allport (Exploring Repertoire & Silver Swans)

Originally from the northeast of England, Vikki’s passion for dance ignited at the tender age of 5. She progressed through her RAD ballet grades and vocational exams, embarking on the Teaching Certificate of the RAD. Alongside her ballet studies, Vikki enjoyed modern, tap, and musical theatre, and she had a successful career as a professional dancer and choreographer, working both in the UK and internationally.

Settling in Mexico, Vikki completed her RAD Teaching Diploma and founded and nurtured a highly successful dance school and youth ballet company, which had the opportunity to perform with the Acapulco Philharmonic Orchestra.

Returning to the UK in 2007, Vikki was head of ballet at an independent school before becoming an examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance. Now a freelance teacher and coach, Vikki continues to dedicate her time to the RAD, serving as a trustee and a member of both the artistic and examinations subcommittees. She is a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) tutor, a Silver Swans tutor, and mentor and tutor for the RAD’s Teaching Certificate course (CDT).

Vikki’s latest accolades have come from various ballroom competitions, and her motto is ‘Dance is for life’.

Booking process

  • Places are limited in each workshop and secured on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Payment is required at the time of booking.
  • An automatic email will be sent via the booking platform CVENT to confirm your registration and payment were successful.
  • Please quote the CVENT order no/ticket reference when contacting the RAD with any queries related to your booking.
  • Please ensure you have read the Terms and Conditions, which includes the RAD’s cancellation policy.
  • When a class is fully-booked, a waiting list will be activated. The Learning and Participation Team will contact you via email should a suitable place become available.
  • After the closing date, you will receive an additional confirmation by email, detailing registration times, suggested dress, and all other relevant information for the course and venue.

The RAD uses Cvent for ticketing and registration for events (including workshops, masterclasses, CPD, and a range of free activities). We only store your personal information in order to facilitate your attendance and to request feedback. We will not use your information to contact you unless you have opted to receive marketing materials or have signed up for our e-newsletter. For further details on how your information is processed, please see the Student Activities Privacy Notice.

Please note, in the event of injury or medical emergency during the activity a qualified First Aider from Royal Academy of Dance will provide necessary treatment and assistance to the participant. Please see our Terms & Conditions for further information on this.

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