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Youth dance group to hold 12-hour ‘danceathon’ fundraiser
A youth dance group based in Bristol are set to hold a 12-hour ‘danceathon’ fundraiser on Saturday.
RISE Youth Dance provides high-quality dance training to young people aged 6-19 through weekly classes and regular performance opportunities, which includes delivering workshops in Bristol schools.
The organisation is non-funded and keep fees for their students extremely low to ensure that dance is more accessible in the city. As a result, they have to rely on fundraisers to ensure they can continue to give young people opportunities in dance.
is needed now More than ever
This year’s big fundraising effort comes in the form of an ambitious 12-hour ‘danceathon’, which will take place on Saturday inside the Galleries in Broadmead from 9am.
The money raised will help to pay for guest artists, their annual residential, fee bursaries, and their annual performance REACH.
RISE, who have previously performed at St Paul’s Carnival and Bristol Harbour Festival, is recognised nationally, with many of its students progressing to the UK’s top training institutions.
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Hannah Nelmes, a trainee at RISE Youth Dance who is taking part in the ‘danceathon’, said: “RISE has helped me massively in terms of developing as a young dancer.
“It has refined my technique and taught me new ways of moving to help my ability develop, but within this, it has always championed my individual identity as a dancer and encouraged, challenged and supported me to reach my full potential.
“Since being a part of RISE, my confidence as a person and a dancer has massively grown; RISE has really helped me to become an independent, confident and motivated person who isn’t afraid to go for things.”
Speaking about the ‘danceathon’, Hannah added: “I’m really looking forward to seeing all the RISE groups come together to dance and take part in all the workshops and challenges we have planned.
“It will be really nice to try lots of new styles and experience dance from other people. But mainly I’m excited for people to see what RISE does and the community RISE has, I think that will be really nice for the public of Bristol to see.
“The main proportion of the money raised will go towards putting on our annual show REACH and making this a possibility for all our young people to be a part of.
“This money will help towards costumes, lighting and the theatre to make the best show we possibly can to give all our young people the real experience of a dance performance without having to contribute any additional fees.”
If you wish to donate to RISE in advance of their ‘dance-athon’, click here.
Main photo: JMP
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