More than 400 children from 18 Torfaen schools took part in this week’s Torfaen Dance Festival for Schools – a celebration of music, movement and confidence on stage.
The first show was on Monday 18 May and saw pupils from Ysgol Panteg, Pontnewydd Primary Cwmffrwdor Primary, Maendy Primary, George Street Primary, Henlly Church in Wales Primary, perform to a sell-out audience.
The festival is organised by Hannah Jones, a teacher at Nant Celyn Primary School, supported by what she describes as “an army of volunteers”. She said children’s love of dance is everywhere: “Whether it be dance moves learnt from YouTube and TikTok or knee slides at the school disco, music is infectious and children absolutely love it.”
Hannah said you’ll find pupils practising routines in every corner of school playgrounds across Torfaen, and she believes passionately that young people who love to dance should have the chance to perform on a real stage in front of a live audience. For many, she said, it’s either a once‑in‑a‑lifetime moment or the spark that inspires them to join a dance class, take lessons or even pursue a future in the creative arts.
The festival is deliberately non‑competitive, giving children the freedom to express themselves in front of mums, dads, family and friends – and to create a memory that will last long after the music stops.
The Torfaen Dance Festival first launched in 2018, enjoyed two successful years, and then paused when theatres closed during COVID. Since returning in 2021, it has grown bigger and better every year.
The show on Tuesday 19 May) was the turn of Garnteg Primary, Woodlands Community Primary, Llanyrafon Primary, Llantarnam Community Primary and Croesyceiliog School.
The final show was onWednesday 20 May with pupils from Nant Celyn Primary, Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary, Crownbridge School, Greenmeadow Primary and Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran taking to the stage.
All three shows sold out.