Step into Dance Case Studies
Hear from those involved in the Step into Dance programme…
SYꞤC, our Youth Dance Company
SYꞤC is a mixed dance style company and where young dancers have the opportunity to build repertoire in a range of diverse genres, whilst building upon strength, technical skills and improving confidence. The company aims to challenge their knowledge, experience, performance skills and perspective of dance and each session gives them an opportunity to learn, create, express themselves and spend time with other talented young dancers. Check out what our young dancers have to say below!
Ela
I first became a part of Step into Dance in 2019 with the contemporary company. Since then, by being a part of SiD, my confidence has massively increased in both my style of movement and performance. I made many new friends and connections over these years. In dance, I can express myself and any ideas or emotions that I have without verbalising as I convey this in my movement. I feel I can experiment with movement and how it can link to the wider setting.
Emre
I love the warm atmosphere and how all the dancers are inclusive, kind and respectful to each other! The studio gives a positive environment and it is a place I love to be. I love how all the staff and choreographers are kind and caring as well. I just love dancing.
Missy
I love getting to explore new styles of dance and learning all the material from the teachers!
Saskia
When I learn a new dance or perfect a technique it makes me feel confident, happy and brave. I have a few mobility issues but dancing helps to keep my body supple and moving so dancing makes me feel strong and resilient. I definitely feel more confident since joining SYNC. The opportunities to learn from fantastic choreographers has introduced me to dance styles I probably wouldn't have considered trying and performance opportunities have been great fun learning experiences and great for team bonding! I've made new friends and really enjoy the sessions each week.
SYꞤC Member
I love being able to perform for other people and tell them a story without words.
Our Practitioners
The Step into Dance team is made up of a range of talented dance practitioners, professionally trained in a variety of genres who are delivering our weekly sessions in schools and youth groups. Find out what they enjoy about the Step into Dance Programme below!
Step into Dance Practitioner
What makes the Step into Dance programme different is giving students who may not otherwise have the opportunity, to create a dance work with their practitioner and perform in fantastic London venues. From a personal perspective, it gives me a sense of freedom as a practitioner, to teach in my own style without needing to stick to a rigid syllabus.
Angelina Sandall
I found the support within the team and also between the students, including at events involving several schools, really special. The whole atmosphere makes for a safe space for everyone to learn and grow as well as having fun and acquire skills that will always be there for them regardless or not if they carry on dancing. The opportunities offered by the programme are extraordinary, from the weekly sessions to the many options of performing, discovering dance programs, taking leadership etc and the whole team is focused on the success of the students in a very open and welcoming and inclusive environment.
Step into Dance Practitioner
I particularly enjoy working with students who have had little access to dance and/ or contemporary dance education previously. It is great to share the joy and freedom of these dance styles and to witness the students own self- expression and confidence emerging and developing overtime.
Step into Dance Practitioner
I love the community at Step into Dance. The positivity, encouragement and mindset of the team is so inspiring. This is also reflected in the students and the schools where the classes take place. I also love the creativity, the opportunity to explore your own practice but also educating others is really inspiring and encourages me to keep doing this.
Schools and Youth Groups
Our sessions take place in schools and youth groups across London and Essex. Hear what they have to say about the Step into Dance programme!
Head of Dance, Charles Darwin School
I’ve worked with SiD for 8 years now, and it’s been a fantastic opportunity for students to get involved in this art form, for an affordable price. I’d recommend it to anyone – great opportunities for the students and a lovely performance at Cadogan Hall if they are successful in getting through to Step Live! All schools support each other, and it gives students a chance to showcase their talent – what’s not to love?
Mulberry School for Girls
Students enjoy working on and developing their dance. They are very enthusiastic and consider these sessions their favourite lesson.
City and Islington College
The Step Around Town event was absolutely amazing! Seeing dances from across the programme was inspirational, and the event provides a good opportunity to see a wide variety of dances. Students from City and Islington Dance Company loved the event and allowed them to perfect their skills and routine. So much positivity, encouragement and joy in the theatre!
Leaders
The Leadership programme is aimed towards students on our programme who are interested in developing their dance leadership skills through their experiences in their Step into Dance sessions.
Leader 23-24
Since becoming a leader, I have had the chance to socialise with many different people, learn more about choreography and have been given many opportunities to represent SYNC, the Youth Dance Company, and my other dancers!
Leader 22-23
Something that has been a highlight of the Step into Dance programme for me has been attending various Step into Dance events and getting to help out (social media takeovers, talking with VIPs etc). I’ve interacted more with different staff and departments in school and I feel more confident to participate in events in school!
Event Participants
Our events are open to all young dancers on the Step into Dance programme. Read their experiences below!
Remmel
I always knew dancing was my thing but it was when my school teacher got me into our school dance group, I excelled in it. Step into Dance helped give me a place to do my thing and be amongst like minded individuals. Dancing isn’t appreciated enough and I think Step into Dance knows how to celebrate the gift of dancing.
Step Around Town Participant
What I enjoy the most about SAT is all the Step schools coming together with their unique routines to put on an amazing show for family and friends.
Step Live Participant
I found today fun and an amazing experience. My favourite moment was watching everyone perform!
Step Alumni: Agnes Rosa Lamb
“My time with Step into Dance really helped me prepare for my future in dance, and helped me believe that I could choose dance as a career.”
From Step into Dance to the Fonteyn, Agnes Rosa Lamb’s professional dance career has flourished. Having first joined the Step into Dance Company at age 11, Agnes then completed exams and competitions with the RAD. Most recently, Agnes competed in the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition 2023.
Since the Fonteyn, Agnes has been rehearsing with the English National Ballet for their upcoming ballet, Giselle. We are so proud to be a foundation for Agnes’ wonderful professional dance career, and we are excited for what is to come.
Agnes
I first joined Step into Dance in 2016 at the age of 11. I was the youngest in the contemporary company at the time and had little confidence with contemporary, and performing. My time with SiD really helped me prepare for my future in dance, and helped me believe that I could choose dance as a career. The teachers were really supportive and I performed at the Southbank Centre in the Step Live event, which was an incredible experience.
Agnes
Since my time with Step into Dance, I have been taking part in many dance events and competitions and exams with the RAD and most recently I had the pleasure of taking part in the the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition 2023, where we had the opportunity to learn and perform a new choreography by Valentino Zuchetti. Since the Fonteyn I have been working with The English National Ballet Company in their ballet Giselle. I’m very grateful for my time with step for helping grow not only in confidence but also as a dancers and find my pathway.
Step Alumni: Riana Morrison-Kirnon
“Step into Dance taught me that I have the freedom and the platform to speak my mind and let my voice be heard.”
Dance brings so much to young people, and we love when our programme allows them to excel into new and exciting opportunities. Riana first joined the Step into Dance programme when she was 13, and is now a Youth Trustee at the Jack Petchey Foundation. During her time on the programme, Riana excelled in dancing, confidence and within her role as a Leader.
Riana
Step into Dance gave me the opportunity to come out of my shell and demonstrate the leadership qualities that I was afraid to show before. Dance is a great discipline that requires you to take responsibility for your role in a group and it’s no different being on a board of trustees for such a high profile charity. Step into Dance taught me that I have the freedom and the platform to speak my mind and let my voice be heard. I was able to go to University where I studied pharmacy and ran the dance society there and that was a great experience but I had the foundation for this from SiD.
Riana
I’ve had the experience of being a captain, or being in charge of a session and it’s helped me so much. Recently at work I had presentation that I had to do in front of doctors. I was able to speak to them with assertiveness because I prepared for it the same way I would have prepared for teaching a dance class. That made me feel confident and ready to speak to them and deliver my presentation.
Riana
Dance is great for your health on so many different levels. If you are in the right environment it can bring you a place of love, compassion and where you can share a passion with others that can relate to you. Dance is my main way of exercise and keeping active and it's fun! Being able to explore and see what your body can do is quite amazing.
Step Alumni: Mona El Ghzal
“The classes felt like a safe space to express and push yourself to achieve and learn unimaginable things.”
Whilst taking part in the Step into Dance programme, Mona was introduced to Breaking, a hip-hop dance style, and is now Breaking competitively as a B-girl!
Mona
Step into Dance has helped me push myself to strive for so many goals and provided me with skills that are relevant in every aspect of my life. I have been involved in Breaking competitions, travelled, met so many dancers, performed at various locations and used my breaking skills to engage in charity work (creating fundraisers is one example). I am also aiming to use Breaking to inspire young people, by promoting STEAM subjects and teaching concepts of Physics through dance.
Mona
I can not emphasise how much Step into Dance has changed me. I truly believe learning Hip-hop and Breaking, through Step into Dance and Mahdi, saved my life and shaped me into the person I am today. I feel as though I have been lucky enough to be handed the gift of learning to express through art, which carried me through many difficult emotions and situations.
Mona
The highlights were the lessons; being surrounded by a supportive community (teachers and peers) and having a safe space to learn and be yourself. I think this is really important for young people to have.
If you’d like to share your experience with Step into Dance, then please email us at stepintodance@rad.org.uk!
Step into Dance is a Royal Academy of Dance programme in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation, a charity set up by Sir Jack Petchey CBE to inspire and celebrate young people. Since 1999, the Foundation has invested over £170 million in programmes and partnerships that have directly benefitted almost 1.2m young people aged 11-25 across London and Essex.