TEN Brockenhurst College leisure course learners – known as the Silver Swans – performed ballet at the Royal Academy of Dance in London recently to mark United Nations International Day of Older Persons.
The group, who are aged between 57 and 84, are led by RAD registered and licensed teacher Susan Tyne and were selected from thousands of applicants to dance live on stage.
They performed an original choreography called The Brockenhurst College Forest Fairies to the music Sheebag Sheemore played by the band Kangaroo Moon and originally composed by Turlough O’Carolan.
Former newsreader Angela Rippon, who is Patron of the RAD Silver Swans, gave a speech on the benefits of dance to officially open the show.
The day-long excursion also provided opportunities for the Swans to participate in a variety of classes and workshops.
Susan said: “The trip to London was a great success, with other performers flying in from around the world and the Swans proving themselves excellent ambassadors for Brockenhurst College.”
So many Brockenhurst College Silver Swans wanted to participate that Susan had to pick names out of a hat to make the group of ten plus four reserves.
Susan added: “At Brock we are developing The Brockenhurst College Community Dancers with the aim to go out into the locality and share the joy and benefits of dance.
“We are an open and friendly group of likeminded people who welcome newcomers and always prioritise enjoyment over technical correctness.”
Some of the Silver Swans studied ballet as children, while others have only started learning ballet this year.
Susan’s classes explore a variety of styles such as belly dancing, the Charleston, Japanese fan dancing, blues dancing and ballet.
Each session focusses on maintaining and improving physical, emotional and cognitive health by uniting people to enjoy the joy of dance and movement.
You can find information about all Adult Leisure course opportunities at Brockenhurst College by visiting brock.ac.uk/adult/leisurecourses
