Traverse youth dance platform showcased a wonderfully diverse and captivating array of talent throughout the evening with a collection of dances that evoked the student’s passion for movement. As the night unfolded the audience was treated to an assortment of moving art work with contemporary inspired pieces that ebbed and flowed combined with other styles of a more powerful and dynamic nature. Ballaré Performing Arts School set the bar high with their piece on 9/11. Using a soundtrack that combined music with reports of the attack, this expressive and haunting piece was mesmerising to watch. This was closely followed by an exciting and contrasting performance by Open Space Plymouth, which successfully closed the first half.

With the second half underway, dancers continued to explore and express themselves through a variety of solo, duet and group work. Many of the pieces delved into the meaning of relationships, how we as humans interact with one another and the world around us. City College Plymouth showcased a collection of dances performed by students at different stages of their training. Despite the well-choreographed pieces, their technique at times missed the mark.

The show closed with an abstract contemporary piece by the Plymouth Conservatoires Undergraduate Dance Company. Their use of physically dynamic contact and floor work combined with smooth transitions provided a well-executed piece to end the evening. In addition, it gave the younger dancers an insight into the type of work they could be performing later on in their training. Traverse youth dance platform was formed to give students the opportunity to perform in a professional environment, a skill that is vital if they want to pursue a career in the performing arts. It was delightful to see many of the students expressing an obvious passion for dance, however it was clear which ones had already started to master the art of performing.

Top Image: Traverse Youth Platform