ACE dance and music

A commitment to Education

ACE dance and music are committed to creating new opportunities for young people and the wider community to experience high quality African, Caribbean, Contemporary dance and music, each year working with over 3.5 thousand young people. ACE offer an exciting programme of opportunities to inspire participants and develop their skills and understanding of dance, we run a thriving youth company and host regular dance classes for young people from aged two upwards as well as teaching dance to young people across the country alongside our busy touring programme. Our workshops range from one hour taster sessions to week-long residencies, we specialise in tailoring work to your needs.

Values

ACE dance and music is a family friendly organisation, we open the doors to our dance space in Birmingham and invite young people and members of the community to get involved. As well as short sessions of dance contact with thousands of people we are one of the few dance companies in the UK who offer real continuity to participants, with regular classes and long-term progression pathways. Four of our ACE youth members have gone on to train professionally at The Northern School of contemporary dance. Three of our ex ACE youth members now assist leading our classes and choreographing new work for ACE youth. We offer mentoring in all aspects of working in the dance sector and promote a healthy, vibrant atmosphere where young people thrive.

Workshops and information packs A Level Study - Skin / Skin is currently one of the suggested performances to study on the OCR A Level Performing Arts syllabus to consider as a piece of political dance. We offer workshops which develop students understanding of Skin through discussion and a practical session. Email Charlotte and book a workshop

Are you a school or educational organisation and interested in us coming to you and leading a workshop? Click here to download our workshop menu

Click here to order a copy of our DVD's and notes

“...the girls had an absolute ball and wanted to do it all day long – it flew by!...They [the dancers] had a really good relationship with the pupils and pitched it perfectly, there was a great feeling of respect and admiration from the pupils throughout the workshop.” (Ellie Bunn, Head of Dance at Colmers School Bham)

“I enjoyed being able to work with talented dancers relating to a performance which we watched. I also enjoyed being pushed and trying out a new style.” (18 yr old, Joseph Chamberlain School)

"I wanted to say what a fantastic workshop leader Amayra is. I have worked with many artists in community settings across all artforms and Amayra is one of the best I have ever seen. Her whole approach, her way of making people feel at ease and enjoy the sessions through her own clear enjoyment.Her sessions are well structured with a good warm up and cool down, space for participants to use their own creativity as well as learn skills. She has a way of picking up on particular individuals and making what they've done slightly differently into a positive that is thenshared and taken on by the whole class. I realise this will be a combination of Amayra's own natural personality and a lot of techniques picked up in her training and particuarly working through ACE. She is a credit and huge asset to your already fantastic company. I can't praise her enough. I want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to work with her." Jenny Henrywood, Creative Company

The workshop was fantastic, students commented that the material was new, fresh and different. They achieved great artistic breakthrough. Thank you! The ACE team were very positive, approachable, motivational and encouraging. (Teacher – Wolverhampton)

Fun, fast, engaging, enjoyable, inspiring! The team were energetic and had a fantastic rapport with the children, this added to their enjoyment and enthusiasm. (Teacher, St Lawrence School)

Lots of different types of dance, I learnt new material and felt inspired to investigate my own choreographic practice. It will help me with my GCSE work. Really challenging, we had to push the boundaries. Fantastic, the team were really energised and this passed on to the students. Students responded well to the dancers and learnt to push through the pain barrier and build endurance. Excellent value for money. (Sarah Lockwood, Brewery Arts)

Creative Futures 2010 - African Village Project Update Supported by Birmingham City Council

In the spring/summer term 2010, ACE dance and music worked with eight nursery settings to deliver a unique learning experience, where the Ghanaian legend of The Golden Stool was told through a live tapestry of theatre, music, dance and visual arts. The children aged between 3 and 5 took on the role of brave Ashanti warriors and travelled through African forests, villages and kingdoms on their quest to find The Golden Stool.

"I didn’t really know what to expect from this project as previously there has been little input like this for our Early Years. It has been a fantastic experience for all of us that participated so much so we are going to continue the work on the project until the end of term." Gail Luzak, St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School

Dancers Amayra Fuller and Sade Alleyne from ACE collaborated with freelance actor and storyteller Melissa Hurlbutt and visual artists Emma Blundell and Emma Thompson of Lady and Small in a two week development and devising period. They were invited in to work with Gail Parmel, Artistic Director and Ian Parmel, Musical Director at ACE dance and music.

Stimulating dance, drama and visual art workshops were then delivered by these artists in the settings over four weeks before the final sharing event. The dance and drama sessions enabled the children to develop ideas within the story and for the children to create their own movements. In the art workshops Ashanti costumes were created and were a springboard for further creative work. All the settings also received their very own stool, which the children decorated for the final sharing. This final performance, led by the artists, was set to evocative African music by Ben George, with musical collaboration from Ian Parmel and Nicky Reid. Many of the nursery settings invited fellow pupils, teachers and parents to come along and enjoy these celebrations with them, helping to make the occasion even more memorable. ACE dance and music are now offering this project from autumn 2010 onwards, so ifyou would like a project that enables your group of children to: