Students connect to culture through dance

More than 80 aspiring dancers from North West public schools were tutored by Bangarra Dance Theatre’s youth program team as face-to-face workshops returned for the first time since the pandemic.

Aboriginal students were able to take part in workshops at Narrabri High School in March.

The schools involved were the host school, Moree Secondary College Carol Avenue Campus, Collarenebri Central School, Mungindi Central School, Wee Waa High School, Walgett Community College – High School and Brewarrina Central School.

The workshops form part of a long-running collaboration with the NSW Department of Education’s Arts Unit and Bangarra, Australia’s premier Aboriginal dance company.

The partnership includes the student dance workshops, the NSW Public Schools Aboriginal Dance Company, and the Schools Spectacular where Bangarra provides mentoring, performance training and repertoire.

NSW Department of Education arts initiatives advisor Sonja Sjolander said schools had shown great interest in the face-to-face workshops, which have been held online since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The value of these workshops is really about connection – for the students connecting with their culture, connecting with each other, and with students from different schools,” Ms Sjolander said.

Lucas Summers, Tye Dixon, Jarrad Lawler, Rodney Gibbs Eulo and Callum Lawler.

“Bangarra is the leader in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander dance and their tutors inspire our students and encourage them to dream.”

Dance experience is not a prerequisite as the students learn about performance, culture and identity from Bangarra Dance Theatre youth team tutors.

The workshops have often provided the first glimpse of dance potential for students who went on to perform in the NSW Public Schools Aboriginal Dance Company, the State Dance Festival and the Schools Spectacular, the world’s largest variety show produced by the NSW Department of Education.

Eight former NSW public school students who started in these workshops are now dancing with Bangarra.

The collaboration between Bangarra and The Arts Unit began in 2010 when the workshops started for 50 Aboriginal students.

More than 7600 students have since benefited from the workshop program.

“The program for experienced and non-experienced dancers has unearthed some real talent and potential, providing career pathways for so many students in the arts and arts management,” Ms Sjolander said.