Dance For All provides children in historically disadvantaged communities in South Africa with the opportunity to dance. Founded in 1991 by Philip Boyd, a former principal dancer with the Cape Town City Ballet, Dance for All builds on the legacy of Cape Town ballet chief David Poole, who started teaching ballet in the townships of Cape Town in the mid-80s.
Daily outreach programs in ballet, African, contemporary, musical theatre and Spanish dance serve more than 700 young people in 7 disadvantaged townships and neighborhoods. Beyond teaching dance, these classes promote the personal development of the children by encouraging their creativity, self-discipline, self esteem and confidence. Students receive first-class training from a talented and diverse teaching team.
In addition to providing a positive after-school activity, Dance For All has become a highly regarded school of dance, successfully training a new generation of professional South African dancers.
Seventeen ‘graduates’ of the DFA program are now working professionally in the performing arts industries in South Africa and abroad. Advanced students receive a scholarship administered by DFA that pays for their school fees, textbooks, transport, dance training and togs.
The neighborhoods benefitting are Gugulethu, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Athlone and the rural areas of Barrydale, Montagu and McGregor.
This is an excellent story! I love dance because it is one of the most beautiful arts. It is great to know it is making such a positive impact on the youth in Africa. May all the participants have continued success!