We may be heading towards the end of term but we're still working hard, with our final week of summer term including a performance at Glencairn Care Home!
One of the main reasons I wanted to do this was that it would be another opportunity for our dancers.
My overriding goal for RMB Dance is to enable children to find a love for dance, and through this develop life skills and attributes such as confidence, kindness and empathy. Rather than our focus being on dance exams or competitions, I want it to be on appreciating dance for all it can be and the good it can do for ourselves and others. Everything I plan for RMB Dance is based on this goal.
As the months and years go on, I aim to continue providing opportunities for our dancers that open them to new environments and experiences and, yes, push them out of their comfort zones a bit. Performing in a care home is something I've been considering for a while, with it posing a new opportunity for us to share our love of dance with the wider community.
Before this performance, we talked about how this would be a different kind of performance from our shows at the Columcille Centre, but one that's just as worthwhile. Our dancers were understandably nervous. This was added to by the fact the care home is a beautiful building to look at from the outside - our dancers said it looked like a castle! - so going in was really quite daunting for some of them.
Another reason for us doing this was to give our dancers another opportunity to perform their show routines again, since they'd worked so incredibly hard on them. However, due to some dancers not being available we did have to make a few changes. The children were so professional with that, helping to come up with solutions and alternatives. A couple of them even practised in the street before we went in, making sure they felt confident! I'm proud of how seriously our dancers took this; they really wanted to do well despite their nerves and apprehension.
Once we got inside, every dancer conducted themselves beautifully from beginning to end. Despite it being a relatively small space to dance in, and a hot room, they were focused and professional throughout.
Glancing around a couple of times, I could see some of the residents smiling and clapping along! On our way out, one resident said to me: "thank you for coming - I enjoyed it very much". This is why community matters, and why I want to teach our dancers that.
I hope our dancers realise what a worthwhile thing they did, and are proud of pushing themselves out of their comfort zones. One of the children said to me afterwards: "I was quite nervous but it was really nice!" The way they all managed their nerves tells me the sky's the limit! Not only are they passionate dancers, they are confident, strong, empathetic characters who are open to opportunity.
Well done dancers, and thank you to Glencairn for having us!
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