Momentum - Centre for Advanced Training for South Asian and Contemporary dance.

A partnership made of DanceXchange and sampad, Momentum will be aimed at pupils aged between 11 and 16 who have shown exceptional talent in Contemporary or South Asian styles. Momentum will offer three strands of technical training in the genres of Bharatnatyam, Kathak and Contemporary dance. The South Asian strand will select students from across the country, whilst the Contemporary strand will select students from across the West Midlands. Successful students will attend momentum alongside their formal education.

The South Asian strand of training will include Kathak and Bharatnatyam dance techniques, performance studies, choreography, one-off workshops with visiting artists, theatre visits and fitness development. Training for the South Asian styles will be with local tutors as well as intensive courses in half-terms and during summer holidays in Birmingham.

The Contemporary strand of the programme will predominantly operate on Sundays during term time, with activities taking place at DanceXchange studios. Each Sunday will consist of work on technique, ballet, performance enhancement, fitness development, theatre visits and the development of creativity.

To find out more about the programme we are running a number of regional and national roadshows.
Regional Roadshows
• Thursday 24th April, Malvern Festival Theatre, (Function Room), 6pm to 8pm
• Monday 28th April, Belmont Arts Centre, Shrewsbury 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Tuesday 29th April, Belgrade Theatre (Burbage Gallery), Coventry, 5pm to 6.45pm
• Wednesday 30th April, Netherton Arts Centre, Dudley, 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Thursday 1st May, Regent Theatre (Britannia Suite), Stoke-On-Trent, 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Thursday 8th May, Birmingham Hippodrome (IMI Studio), 5.30pm to 7.30pm

National Roadshows for South Asian strand only
• Friday 16th May, The Y Theatre, Leicester, 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Saturday 24th May, Zion Arts Centre, Manchester, 4.30pm to 6.30pm
• Saturday 14th June, The Place, London, 3.30pm to 5.30pm

Following the road shows we are running an Open Workshop on Sunday 20 July here at DanceXchange. momentum tutors will be running workshops in Kathak, Bharatanatyam and Contemporary dance providing an opportunity for potential students to try out different styles of dance. You'll be able to ask questions about the course content, time commitment and the audition process. At the end of the day you'll be able to pick up an application form to register for an audition.

Auditions will be held at DanceXchange on the following dates:
First round, Sunday 21, 28 September and 5 October.
Students who have been selected from the first round will be invited to attend a second audition on one of the following dates:
12th, 19 and 26 October.

Download an open workshop form here

The pilot programme will start in January 2009 with the first full term programme starting from September 2009. The age limit will be 11-16 at the time of starting the programme.

Grants are available from the Music and Dance Scheme, DCSF for the course and are means tested.

For more information email Louise James, Momentum Programme Manager or call her on 0121 689 1096