Looking back at Momentwm 2022
Fourteen budding young dancers recently attended the first in-person Momentwm residency, delivered in collaboration between Ballet Cymru’s Duets programme and National Youth Arts Wales.
Photos: Sian Trenberth
These young people attended the course as pairs from different schools across Wales, originating from areas identified as having limited access to dance performance and development. Having never previously met as a group before, the dancers spent three days at Cardiff’s Gwersyll yr Urdd on a fun-filled intensive programme of dance skills, developing their technique and creativity alongside some of the best names in the Welsh dance industry.
The aim of the project was to give the young dancers a taste of dance training, which they might not otherwise have access to, and to encourage them to continue dancing as they progress through secondary school.
“Bringing our national Duets scholars together for Momentwm has been a hugely exciting event. Not only has it provided many inspirational dance and learning opportunities, but it has also enabled scholars from all over Wales to come together, in a physical space, for the first time.
The commitment and experience of both Ballet Cymru and National Youth Arts Wales to host a residency of this calibre has fostered such a positive dance experience for all involved. Momentwm represents a big step in the partnership between Ballet Cymru and National Youth Arts Wales and our joint vision to help bridge gaps in dance provision in Wales, and to address challenges in dance access and engagement.”
Freelance Welsh Dance Artist and choreographer Liam Riddick led sessions on contemporary dance technique. These workshops focused on guiding the young dancers in developing duet and solo performances, and providing a space for them to experience creative collaboration with a new company of fellow performers.
Participants also had the opportunity to build on their rhythm and hip-hop vocabulary alongside Reuel Bertram of Jukebox Collective, as well as to learn new ballet steps and vocabulary with Louise Lloyd, Ballet Cymru Duets practitioner.
“National Youth Arts Wales is thrilled to have delivered our pilot project for 10 – 12 year olds, Momentwm, in partnership with Ballet Cymru. Being able to return to in-person delivery, and providing the space for younger dancers to explore, to learn from industry professionals, and above all, enjoy the time to be creative, has been wonderful.
It is really important to be able to offer this kind of programme to those across the country who may not typically get access to dance training at this level, especially given the impact of the pandemic on this age group. Increasing access too by providing these kinds of progression pathways to Wales’ gifted and talented young performers from grassroots level upwards, is a key part of what NYAW does. Nurturing these relationships in underrepresented communities that face barriers to arts training is the latest step in Ballet Cymru and NYAW’s joint efforts to tackle issues around diversity and representation across the youth arts sector.”
Following on from these lively dance workshops, this year’s Momentwm participants also got stuck in to a social schedule of bowling trips, movie nights, and group walks around Cardiff Bay, providing the perfect space for these young people to get to know each other and begin developing life-long friendships through dance.
Duets, produced by Ballet Cymru, is a national programme for young people in areas of need to access dance training and progression. The programme is specifically designed to identify talent, provide progression pathways, and improve aspiration for young people who would not usually have the opportunity to access and engage with dance, particularly those living in deprived areas of Wales.
Momentwm is National Youth Arts Wales’ training and development programme for young dancers at the early stages of their journey into dance. The programme focuses on developing core dance skills and strength, as well as creative and performance techniques, with an overall aim of equipping these young dancers with the skillset required to pursue professional dance training. Having previously collaborated with ZooNation - The Kate Prince Company, NYAW are thrilled to have worked alongside Ballet Cymru’s Duets programme for Momentwm 2022.