A bright future for dance

Formally called The College of Jazz Dance and more popularly known as the YADA school, The College of Dance is embarking on another exciting year.

On September 24, the college opens its studio doors to its loyal and dedicated students while welcoming new ones as well. This will be the 23rd year of the school, which has flourished under the direction of Felix Busuttil and Justin Roy Barker, artistic directors of the college whose names are synonymous with dance in Malta.

Part of the success of this dance school is due to the number of performance opportunities it offers its dancers from a very young age. The college has staged an annual performance without fail since its foundation in 1989. It is also home to the YADA Dance Company, whose members are students and graduates of the college.

The school collaborates in all major YADA Dance Company productions. Earlier this year it participated in Rio, a dance extravaganza performed at the Astra Theatre in Gozo and again during Notte Gozitana. Last April the school also performed in the event organised for World Dance Day by the Dance Council Malta. The highlight of its scholastic year was Supernatural, a performance at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta held last July.

Currently the YADA Dance Company is rehearsing for a major performance entitled Dance Rush in San Francisco, USA in January 2013. This show will premiere at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in October 2012. The performances in Malta will also feature the young students of The College of Dance.

The college has a team of experienced and highly qualified teachers who share the same philosophy and drive as the artistic directors. Particular emphasis is given to technique, discipline and the art of stage performance. The new name, The College Of Dance, represents what the school is really all about – a centre of dance diversity. The college specializes in jazz dance, classical ballet, hip hop and commercial, and Spanish dance. This year, pilates and zumba have also been added.

The College of Dance is the largest school on the island and trains students to a professional level. Proof of its success are the number of dancers who, over the years, have trained at international vocational schools such as London Studio Centre, Bodyworks Performing Arts College, Millennium Performing Arts and the prestigious Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance.

Registrations are open for students three years and over. For more information e-mail collegeofdance@melita.com or call on 2137 5130 / 7942 1864 / 9944 5703.