DANCEballad

Abstract

Abstract This article features the DANCEballad project which is in its seventh season of providing high quality dance for children and youngsters (aged 9-15) during their summer holiday. Everyone with an interest in dance can join the project since no previous dance experience is required. The purpose of the project is to offer an opportunity for the participants to compose, perform and appreciate dance through their own uniqueness in cooperation with others. Another purpose of the project is to make dance become more visible throughout the regions by creating a base for development, continuity and interest for dance in the community in general. The DANCEballad has been a great success with more than 600 student-dancers involved each summer. Within only one week, the summer school dancers from each region have to create their own dance performance and present the choreography on a professional stage. The benefits for the participants from joining the project naturally vary from child to child. Previous evaluations show that personal and aesthetic development is part of the main benefits which e.g. become visible through enhanced self-confidence. In an aesthetic manner they broaden their horizons, interests and understandings of what dance can be and do. Through an interview with Sara Sejrskild, a DANCEballad participant, we get an example of what the summer dancers can achieve from the project.