Sudbury Swans to showcase their work at Royal Academy of Dance’s Global Silver Swans’ Celebration Day event
Published: 14:14, 29 September 2023
Updated: 14:24, 29 September 2023
A group of talented Sudbury ballet dancers, are all over the age of 55, have been chosen by the Royal Academy of Dance to showcase their work globally.
The Sudbury Swans will be part of the Global Silver Swans’ Celebration Day on Sunday, which brings together ballet class participants across the world to showcase their creative work.
It includes groups from the USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy and local groups across the UK/Ireland, and coincides with the UN’s International Day of Older People, which champions the achievements of older men and women.
The Sudbury Silver Swans dance teacher, Sue Hewgill Peterson, is a Silver Swan Licensee, and a Royal Academy of Dance registered teacher.
She has choreographed a short dance work for her students, drawing on the talents of local musicians Angels Delight, who are the flute and harp duo.
Sue said: “This will be a really great event. Ballet and dance offer a fantastic opportunity to stay fit and healthy in body and mind. Silver Swans encourages older learners and returners of any gender to experience the joys of classical ballet. It’s completely inspiring and addictive.”
A Silver Swans ballet class is modified for the older age range, enhancing their skills and creativity.
Class member, Vanessa Laws, said: “We love the challenge of learning something about ballet and enjoying being as correct as we can. Ballet improves memory and helps with balance, posture and co-ordination, spatial awareness too.”
“We’re so excited about our dance film ‘Dance for your Life’ being shared with Silver Swans around the globe and talking with other dancers. Just putting it together has been a great motivator and very enjoyable.”
Digital tickets to participate in the Silver Swans Celebration workshops and watch the event on Sunday, October 1 will be available from the Royal Academy of Dance website.
Famous Silver Swans dance class participants and Ambassadors include Angela Rippon, who will be participating in Strictly Come Dancing this autumn, and Her Royal Highness, Queen Camilla, who is also a patron of the Royal Academy of Dance.