Taster Day | Swindon Ballet Programme

Swindon Dance is holding a taster day for the Swindon Ballet Programme on Sunday 14 March, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm at Regent Circus. It's a morning of dance classes and information sessions, and it's completely free to attend.

The day is a taster of the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT), the training arm of Swindon Ballet. It's one of nine National CATs across the UK, and it delivers world-class dance training to young people aged 11 to 19. The full programme runs weekly on Sunday afternoons, 11 am to 5 pm during term time, under the tutelage of industry-leading choreographers and artists. It covers ballet, strength and conditioning, music appreciation, choreography, performance and pointe where appropriate, and all sessions are designed to be accessible and enjoyable regardless of experience level.

One of the biggest things to know about the CAT is how it's funded. It's supported by the Music and Dance Scheme under the Department for Education, and its places are fully funded. That means the training is accessible through grants that often leave it free or at a subsidised fee, and they can cover additional costs like travel, performance tickets and physiotherapy. It's a high-level programme that doesn't depend on how much you can pay.

If you're curious about what the full course looks like, the taster day is the place to find out. It runs from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm on Sunday 14 March at Regent Circus, and it's free.