9 November 2020 13:24

RAD Project B Award for Innovation in the teaching of Male Dance at the Dance School of the Year Awards

Natalie Pearl's First Position School of Dance in Bournemouth recently won the RAD Project B Award for Innovation in the teaching of Male Dance at the Dance School of the Year Awards.

Four years ago Natalie started a boys only dance class after realising that the only way to really attract more than just a handful of boys to dance was to create a culture that they wanted to be part of; a place they felt they belonged.

She now has five boys-only classes with almost 50 boys dancing - almost all of them also taking mixed syllabus classes with the girls in ballet, modern and tap. She has also had her work with young boys, struggling to overcome adversity, featured in a special programme on CBBC.

"To win the Dance School of the Year RAD project B award was just the most incredible feeling. To be recognised for the work I have done and more importantly for the boys to feel so proud of being dancers and have that very special endorsement by DSOTY and the RAD."

You can read more on Natalie's work teaching boys ballet on her blog.