As Scotland’s National Dance Company, Scottish Ballet aims to bring the benefits and joy of dance to everyone. Committed to supporting communities in Scotland during these unprecedented times, Scottish Ballet will be delivering its SB Health programme digitally in a bid to target isolated people, and get the nation moving.
Launching on Monday 30 March at 11.30am GMT, it will be offering a daily live stream on its Facebook channel, ensuring that the Engagement Team can continue their work in supporting people living with neurological conditions through classes that include Dance for Parkinson’s, Time to Dance for people living with dementia, and Elevate for people living with Multiple Sclerosis.
In addition, Scottish Ballet will be connecting with intergenerational audiences by creating classes for dancers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Regenerate is a dance class for people over 60 to exercise body and mind, and build strength, technique and creative movement. Family Barre, led by Principal Dancer Bethany Kingsley-Garner, is a dance class for parents and children to move together and benefit from creativity and imagination.
Talking about the initiative, CEO/Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet, Christopher Hampson, said:
“At Scottish Ballet, dance is our primary connector to each other and our communities. More than ever, we need to make sure people stay connected to their support networks and our SB Health participants are an extension of the Scottish Ballet family.”
“Streaming our dance health classes online supports all those that normally engage with us – but please share the joy of the classes with those who might not have ever experienced them. We welcome everyone!”
Catherine Cassidy, Director of Engagement at Scottish Ballet, said:
“During these unprecedented times, we feel it is vital to be continuing our engagement work to connect with communities, and help support people’s physical and mental wellbeing. We are delighted to be offering this initiative digitally, bringing the benefits of dance to homes in Scotland, and beyond.”
Designed to offer a form of routine, the classes will be led by Scottish Ballet’s experienced Engagement Team to connect communities and help improve co-ordination, balance, fluidity and movement, as well as circulation, muscle tone and mental wellbeing.
The Digital SB Health classes will start on Monday 30 March at 11.30am, and will run as live streams on Facebook at the same time every week day.
The programme will include:
- Monday: Dance for Parkinson’s Scotland
- Tuesday: Elevate (dance for Multiple Sclerosis)
- Wednesday: Time to Dance (dance for dementia)
- Thursday: Regenerate (60+)
- Friday; Family Barre for parents and children, led by Principal Bethany Kingsley-Garner
For more information, please visit: www.scottishballet.co.uk To connect with Scottish Ballet on Facebook, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/scottishballethq/
Press Contact For more information about Scottish Ballet, please contact Joy Parkinson, Press Manager Joy Parkinson: joy.parkinson@scottishballet.co.uk / 0141 333 1092 / +447780310614 @ScottishBallet Twitter / Facebook / Instagram www.scottishballet.co.uk
About Scottish Ballet
• Scottish Ballet, founded in 1969, is Scotland’s national dance company. Based in Glasgow, the company performs regu-larly across Scotland, throughout the UK and internationally – promoting Scotland’s pioneering spirit far and wide.
• Under CEO/Artistic Director Christopher Hampson, Scottish Ballet presents bold, adventurous performances rooted in strong classical technique, accompanied by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra. The company’s broad repertoire includes new versions of the classics and ground-breaking commissions, as well as an innovative digital season every two years.
• Scottish Ballet runs an extensive engagement programme, tailored to the needs of diverse communities, promoting confidence, fostering wellbeing and encouraging creativity through dance.
• SB Health is supported by Baillie Gifford with a funding commitment for the next five years. The programme is aligned to the Company’s repertoire, in particular the work created as part of the Five in Five campaign which looks to create five new narrative ballets in five years; launched to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary in 2019.
• Alongside Baillie Gifford, SB Health is supported and funded by The Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Life Changes Trust, R S Macdonald Charitable Trust, The Rayne Foundation, Elizabeth Frankland Moore & Star Foundation, The Robertson Trust, Pam and Norman Murray, Ed and Jean Murray, Jane Britten and Fiona Chalmers, alongside anonymous patrons.
• Scottish Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s programme is delivered in partnership with Dance Base, Edinburgh.
• Scottish Ballet is funded by the Scottish Government.
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