Delivered and supported by leading dance organisations DanceXchange, ACE dance and music, Birmingham Dance Network, Autin Dance Theatre, Rosie Kay Dance Company and other local dance artists, Birmingham Pro Class is a successful non-profit initiative, which has been running for almost a year offering a programme of regular classes and workshops for the growing professional dance community based in the city and wider region.

This new online programme will run initially for ten weeks, and will be funded through reserves built up through Birmingham Pro Class membership fees, and individual pass and class purchases made over the last twelve months.

Johnny Autin, Dance Artist and Director of Autin Dance Theatre, one of the curators of the online programme, said: “It is really fantastic to be able to offer this new programme in response to the unprecedented UK quarantine, which has meant that training and work for professional dancers is currently suspended. The new programme offers vital support by providing employment to freelance artists and maintaining the vital connections for dancers in the regional community.”

Lucie Mirkova, Head of Artistic Programmes at DanceXchange said: “The Birmingham Pro Class initiative has gone from strength to strength over the last year demonstrating the determination of the dance sector in supporting each other and ensuring that Birmingham and the West Midlands is a great place for dance artists and companies to flourish.

“It is fantastic that the success of the initiative to-date means that Birmingham Pro Class can self-fund these new online classes and support tutors with valuable work at a moment which is incredibly difficult for freelance artists. The classes will also provide an important means to remaining connected with the dance community as well as maintaining fitness!”

Details of the full ten week programme will be published online The next two classes are:

Thursday 9th April – Laura VanHulle
A highly physical release dance class adjusted for small spaces. Laura uses her background in Cunningham as a basis for her highly physical classes which combine multiple influences including African dance, Kathak and yoga.

Thursday 16th April – Dorcas Walters
Former principal dancer with Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet.