YEAR 10 dancers from Harrow Way Community School explored the various career paths available to professional dancers when they took a trip to Eastleigh to attend the ‘Careers at the Point’ fair.

The students spent time with professional dancers, discussed training and careers and picked up additional information and advice.

There was also the opportunity to participate in a number of workshops: The National Youth Dance Company worked with the students looking at audition techniques, the Stop Gap Integrated Company ran a session of choreography and the musician Dougie Evans looked at sound scores.

To see just how good the professionals can be, the students were treated to a performance in the main theatre by the National Youth Dance Company and MAP Dance Company.

Lyndsey Walker, curriculum leader for dance said: “Harrow Way has a renowned performing arts department and dance is a fundamental element of this provision.

Students who study dance at BTEC level do so because they are talented and they have a passion for the subject.

“It is therefore important that we provide the opportunity for them to explore the various pathways, of which there are many, should they decide to study dance at a higher level and/or pursue a career in this area. It really was a beneficial day for everyone.

“Not only have they had training and careers advice from the experts but they have experienced different contemporary techniques, been able to observe and critique professional dance performances and visit a theatre venue which will feed into their BTEC course in Year 11.”