As we grow older, we often regret not taking advantage of the opportunities we had as children, or wish that we'd been offered an opportunity that our friends had. Many people remember their childhood dance lessons with fondness, and many others wish that they'd had dance lessons. There is absolutely no reason why older learners may not, in the appropriate environment, engage with dancing, reap th
e physical and mental benefits, and why the Silver Swans programme has been created. Primarily designed for the over-55s (though all ages and abilities are welcomed), Silver Swans classes have been seen to improve mobility, posture, co-ordination and energy levels. They are also a great way to meet people and make new friends as the classes are a very sociable activity, both during and after the teaching period. Hannah La Trobe is a Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Silver Swans licenced teacher who teachers and organises workshops/classes in adult ballet dance practice throughout Wales. She has trained extensively and specifically in this area: after completing her own professional dance education, she trained and qualified with the RAD as a registered ballet teacher and has since attained a first class honours degree in Dance Education. Since the year 2000 she has managed her own dance school in Pembrokeshire where she has taught students from age three to eight-five with many students - from Pre-Primary right through the Vocational - choosing to measure their abilities through the RAD classical ballet syllabus, and consistently achieving high marks in examination. Hannah is a passionate advocate for the Silver Swans concept because she has always believed that any age or ability can benefit from classical ballet's artistry of expression and its disciplined approach to developing a physical technique.Due to her extensive prior experience with teaching older adults she was invited to conduct a number of high-profile classes to promote both Silver Swans and keeping active in later life. Above all, the Silver Swans classes are a welcoming meeting of minds, to encounter new people with a passion and joy for life regardless of age or ability.
