Billy Connolly applauds new UHI degree
The comedian and actor Billy Connolly has applauded the debut of a classical ballet and dance performance degree at the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands.
Billy is a patron of Taynuilt-based Ballet West which has developed the BA classical ballet and dance performance degree, one of the first in the UK to concentrate on classical ballet performance, in collaboration with North Highland College UHI.
He has been associated with the company since founder and principal Gillian Barton choreographed the dance scenes in hit film Mrs Brown, with Billy, Dame Judi Dench and many Ballet West dancers.
"Ballet West and UHI have done a fabulous job on this degree. This is a great opportunity for young dancers to stay in Scotland and study, and it will be wonderful to see students from all over the UK and overseas coming to the Highlands and Islands to dance," Billy commented.
The three-year course starts in September and is a progression from the higher national diploma (HND) in professional stage dance which has been taught for the past two years at Ballet West in partnership with North Highland College UHI, one of the partner colleges in the UHI network across the region. Nine HND students will be moving into the degree year and a further ten start the course in September.
Gillian Barton said: "Our degree is one of the first of its kind in the UK and will help our students to forge a career for life, enabling them to go into any aspect of dance including performing, teaching and choreography. In the performing arts, as in virtually every walk of life, employers are looking for professional qualifications and our degree will meet an industry demand."
The school was founded in 1991 by Gillian, a Royal Academy of Dance-trained dancer who has worked all over the world as a dancer, choreographer and teacher, in the theatre, TV and film. Ballet West students have gone on to work in all the leading UK ballet companies and win international competitions.
The school is small compared to other dance colleges, enabling the staff to give intensive and tailored training to students who aspire to a career in the performing arts. Resident staff are supported by a wide range of guest professionals who provide links between the student and the performing arts industry.
Although the reputation of the school has been built on classical ballet, this new course offers equal opportunity to excel in the skills required for musical theatre.
Gillian said: "We can now enable our students to achieve a well-respected academic qualification through excellent dance training, producing performers who will have a breadth of skills, enabling them to pursue long and varied careers."
Donald MacBeath, depute principal of North Highland College UHI, said: "We are delighted to partner Ballet West in the new degree. The college already makes a significant contribution to the UHI performing arts curriculum, particularly in the music and drama disciplines. Our partnership with Ballet West further enhances this provision by creating an opportunity for students to undertake degree level study in dance in the Highlands of Scotland."
Three students who have just completed the HND at Ballet West will travel to Singapore in September to compete with the world's elite student dancers in the Genée International Ballet Competition, organised by the Royal Academy of Dance. Ballet West has a reputation in this competition, with former students reaching the finals and winning medals. On their return to the UK, the students will be among the first to study the new degree.
For further information about the degree click here »
Photographs of Students are Copyright © Lesley and Harvey Wolfinger
