Not everyone gets the chance to discover a love of dance, but one studio in Kent is working to change that
The Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company opened its dance studio, JV Home, in Ashford in late 2022
In the past two years, it has subsidised more than 60 students through its JV2 training programme
Donny Beau Ferris, from Whitstable, told BBC Radio Kent the company had “reshaped his entire life”, as well as making it possible for the county’s young people to pursue a career in dance
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“I am very fortunate and grateful that I had the Yasmin Vardimon Company right at my doorstep,” the 26-year-old said
“It’s hard to get into the dance scene and art industry.”
Beau Ferris was part of the company’s youth programme and following this, he has worked with other choreographers in various productions
“For people living in Kent, it’s very difficult to find a place to develop yourself as an artist,” he adds
May Wolfe, 22, from Whitstable, said she had applied for a bursary through the company to pay for a dance course
“I love what I do, it’s so cool and exciting being at the dance school. You meet everyone from all over the world,” she said
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The company also offers community classes, summer intensive courses and school programmes
Suzy Carter, who teaches at Tower School and Sixth Form College, said some students were inspired to take up dance after viewing productions by the company
Jasmin Vardimon MBE told BBC Radio Kent: “We are helping a generation of people who do not think it is possible for them to join the world of dance
“We now have a growing audience of people who come to see our productions before we go on tour.”
Vardimon was an artistic director of National Youth Dance Company and she has been described as a “leading force” in the British dance theatre for more than 20 years
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