A CRITICAL POINT OF CONNECTION

But a year later, having had a taster session in a studio off the old, cobbled courtyard, I was on. And so, my participation began.  

I have now been a Silver Swan for about six years, and I just love it. At the start I enjoyed just being reminded of the exercises I used to do as a child, feeling once again the sheer joy of dance. It then became a hugely important in retaining my mobility as the arthritis I had had since my early 40s progressed through both of my hips. Then came the pandemic. We were so fortunate that the RAD quickly adapted to providing classes online, with them becoming a critical point of connection during that difficult time. I remember becoming rather emotional on more than one occasion by just moving to music, seeing fellow swans in our respective rooms, bonded by our love of dance.

After the pandemic I had to undergo a double hip replacement followed by three months on crutches. Once again Silver Swans became central to my life, this time to my rehabilitation as I returned first to barre exercises only and then to a full class.

I can hardly recognise myself now, moving without pain, strong of limb, fit and healthy. I now take three classes a week, two Silver Swans and one general adult technical class, and I performed at Wimbledon Theatre last year with fellow swans in the first ever Dance School show. I have made so many friends through Silver Swans, too, with different permutations of us going to watch ballets, meeting for drinks, supporting each other through life’s events.  

I look forward to reading your own stories, sharing our love of dance and the physical, mental and social benefits it brings regardless of age.

Thank you RAD!   

Elizabeth Honer

SWAN SONGS

(From Dance Gazette, February 2024)

The RAD’s Silver Swans programme brings older students to ballet classes. As the RAD launches the next stage of the programme, Emily May meets dancers in Germany and the UK.

‘I always liked dancing, but I never really had the opportunity to do it,’ my mum tells me over the phone. As a child, her parents couldn’t afford extra-curricular lessons, and there was next to no formal dance training at her school. ‘That’s why I had to be careful not to push you too much,’ she says. ‘I didn’t want to live through you as a child.’  

In 2018, however, mum finally got the chance to experience the joy of ballet for herself. It was an advert on Facebook shared by ‘Miss’ Vonya Plush, a former professional dancer and my own first ever ballet teacher, for Silver Swans classes that inspired her to take the plunge. ‘They were marketed as a way to have fun and exercise in a social and supportive environment,’ she says, adding that the history and nostalgia of reconnecting with Plush was another motivating factor.  

Piloted in 2016 and fully implemented the following year, Silver Swans is an RAD initiative making ballet classes accessible to people aged over 50. ‘We’re trying to change the perception of ballet, which can sometimes get a bad rap as elitist,’ says Gia Gray, the RAD’s Head of School and Associate Director of creative projects. ‘We want everybody to feel welcome, regardless of their nationality, gender, background, and definitely their age! I’ve met swans as old as 92 and some who are in their late forties. We don’t turn anyone away.’

Silver Swans is rooted in research from the RAD’s Faculty of Education and their 2012 ‘Dance for Lifelong Wellbeing’ project. The resulting guidance on how teachers can modify lessons to suit the demographic’s needs is now the backbone of the licensing system through which RAD members across the world can become certified Silver Swans teachers.

Plush had just moved back to the UK from Spain when the RAD launched the programme. Before long, she’d signed up to become a licensee, undertaking a day-long course at Birmingham’s Elmhurst Ballet School. ‘I felt like I was at the right age to be embracing Silver Swans,’ she says, sharing that she’s just celebrated her 70th birthday. ‘I’ve danced since I was six, it’s a part of my life. It would be very difficult to give it up.’

Plush now teaches two Silver Swans classes a week at a church hall in Worcester (when she taught my mum, she was based out of the Norbury Theatre in our hometown of Droitwich, in the Midlands, poetically where I also took my first classes with Plush). ‘I ask the ladies how they are, and if they have any aches and pains they want to tell me about,’ she says. ‘As the class progresses, I can give modifications so that everything is inclusive and safe.’ After a warmup, ballet barre, and pour de bras Plush sets phrases in pairs and groups. ‘We don’t do huge jumps. A lot of my students don’t want to turn too much, because they struggle with balance.’ Instead, she teaches quarter pirouettes or encourages her dancers to work on relevés without turning at all. ‘I do have some ladies who do whole turns though!’  

Towards the end of class, Plush teaches modified excerpts of classical repertoire. ‘We’ve just been working on the Utah Longhorn Ram solo from Still Life at the Penguin Cafe,’ she says enthusiastically. ‘When the students go to the theatre, they recognise choreography they’ve done in class. It brings it to life.’ This was my mum’s favourite part of the lessons. ‘Even though we didn’t have an audience, I could imagine we did,’ she says. ‘I loved it when I didn’t have to think what was coming next. I could just move to music. It felt like a form of freedom.’

Read the full article in Dance Gazette.

Emily May

SWAN STORIES

The competition entries from our first issue were full of such great and unexpected stories, that we decided to include just a few of them here to inspire and motivate our readers.

I’m rehearsing for our Christmas presentation after saying ‘not me’ but it’s been a great confidence boost and I’m getting involved. So, for me building confidence meeting new people and making friends as well as keeping mobile are the best things I can say about my new journey into ballet.

Can I also give a shout out to Rebecca Yates, my brilliant teacher!

¿QUÉ CREO ES LO MEJOR DE BAILAR?

SER una integrante de Seniors Ballet Chile, ha significado a mis 64 años, aprender a reconocerme y valorarme a mí misma, la edad no es impedimento para expresarse a través de la danza, los seniors tenemos que atrevernos y disfrutar de los sueños como quinceañeras, algo que me sucede a mi con la danza...lo mejor del Seniors Ballet Chile, ha sido compartir, disfrutar y reencantarse de la vida y de la compañía de todos mis compañeros...SI, PODEMOS¡¡¡"

(WHAT DO I THINK IS THE BEST THING ABOUT DANCING?

BEING a member of Seniors Ballet Chile, at 64 years old, has meant learning to recognize and value myself, age is not an impediment to expressing oneself through dance, seniors have to dare and enjoy dreams like fifteen-year-olds, something that happens to me with dance...the best thing about Seniors Ballet Chile has been sharing, enjoying and being enchanted by life and the company of all my classmates...YES, WE CAN!!!")

Jane Maggs

Is it the Music?

The Barre or the Floor?

The floaty skirt?

It’s so much more

It’s feeling the music

Trusting The Barre

Dancing and twirling

Centre Corps de bras

It isn’t easy, but that’s the point

We Silver Swans aren’t full of grace

We get it wrong but smile and move on

Next week it may fall into place

So Ballet is simply complex

To say what is best is too hard

It’s so many things, all in an hour

It’s changed me and makes me glad.

(With huge thanks to Nicola Peros our very patient teacher)

Denise Lamb

The most important thing for me is joining in and being a part of something.

I was a nurse for 38 years; after retiring I missed the camaraderie of working with a group of like-minded people who support each other. 

Dancing with the swans is more than just a dance class, it is a social event that incorporates new friends, dancing and a opportunity to do different things, such as a flash mob. 

I do not know if our group is typical of other swans classes, but Rebecca puts her heart and soul in to running the class and out of class activities. 

If the aim of the silver swans is to encourage older people to get out of the house, learn new skills, make new friends, and keep Alzheimer's at bay then it is working.

SILVER SWANS EXPERIENCE WITH GOYO MONTERO IN NÜRNBERG

I am writing to share an exciting and spontaneous experience that our Silver Swans group recently had, which I thought might be of interest to you.

We had the incredible opportunity to meet Goyo Montero, the Ballet Director of the State Ballet of Nuremberg. Not only were we able to watch the company train, but Goyo himself led a special training session with our Silver Swans group! Following the training, we had the chance to ask him some questions, and to top it all off, the whole event was covered by television.

Photo: © David Klumpp; Staatstheater Nürnberg, Ballet Director Goyo Montero.

This amazing experience came about very spontaneously due to a series of fortunate circumstances, and as a result, we were unable to officially register it with you back in July. Nevertheless, I thought you might still be interested in hearing about it, especially as part of the Silver Swans celebrations.

We have been training for a year, and most of the ladies are beginners. The youngest participant is 48, and the oldest is 75 years old.

Watch the TV segment and see more at the hey hilde Instagram page.

Lisa Dirkx

MEMBERS' DAY 2025

If you're a Silver Swan and an RAD member, don’t miss this exciting opportunity to be part of the Royal Academy of Dance Members’ Day—an unforgettable celebration of dance, inspiration, and community.

This year’s event promises to be a highlight of the RAD calendar, featuring a stellar lineup of special guests including RAD President, Dame Darcey Bussell, Silver Swans Ambassador, Angela Rippon, and RAD Artistic Director, Alexander Campbell.

Enjoy inspiring sessions, including a masterclass by Birmingham Royal Ballet, and experience the RAD’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) alongside the prestigious RAD Awards ceremony, where we celebrate outstanding achievements by dance teachers.

For a touch of luxury, premium ticket holders will receive an exclusive goodie bag, complete with a special gift from our friends at Diptyque.

Whether you’re here to connect, be inspired, or celebrate the joy of dance, there is something for everyone.

Book now

WIN A T-SHIRT!

AROUND THE WEB

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