A Monmouthshire organisation is proving that dance can be enjoyed by anyone. CIARAN KELLY finds out more.

FROM toddler classes to ones for over 50s and from street dance to ballroom, Abergavenny's Dance Blast is proving that there is no limit when it comes to hitting the dancefloor.

For twins Sally and Emma Carlson, of Risca; setting up the club was all about engaging the community and providing an opportunity for people of all ages to do something which made them happy.

And the Monmouthshire community dance organisation has certainly proven a success with Dance Blast classes now attracting around 400 people each week.

Central to Dance Blast’s success is the variety on offer as there really is something to keep everyone entertained.

Sally, 47, company director of Dance Blast, said: “We wanted to engage the community deeply, rather than just being a one-off workshop.

“Many people come to dance, as it’s a very joyful thing and makes people happy. If you strip the art of dancing back, it feels good. We all live complicated, stressful lives and it’s a relief from that, even for just one hour.

“We’ve got a comfortable environment that has been integrated into the community. Everyone who works here is professional and holds a degree and we treat everyone professionally, as we want to deliver a high quality service. People recognise that and keep coming back.

“We always dreamt of being part of a community and we always thought it was possible in Abergavenny. The base made a real difference and gave us a real focus, as people knew exactly where to come.

The story of Dance Blast started when, after moving to London to study dance, Sally and Emma joined together in 1992 to form Carlson Dance Company.

In 1998, with the company proving a huge success, the twins then came up with the idea of Dance Blast – a 12-week programme of workshops for young people with dance as the central focus but also involving design and music.

With youngsters quickly signing up and the thirst for dance becoming clear, the sisters decided to form a separate company to focus more on the outreach aspect of their work and make dance have an impact on people and the community.

And so, with support from Abergavenny Borough Theatre, Monmouthshire council and the Arts Council of Wales, Dance Blast was born.

In 2011, the organisation signed a lease for its new and current home in Pen-y-Pound which was refurbished to become the dance centre it is today.

Speaking about the success of the company, Sally added: “We never stand still and we’ve always had to adapt. We receive project funding from the Arts Council of Wales Lottery and the local authority, but there is fierce competition and no guarantees.

“It’s about being resilient, particularly when times are tough. It’s the nature of being in the arts: there are difficult circumstances.”

But the company has still always had an appeal to the community, even in the difficult circumstances and central to this is Dance Blast’s fun-loving approach as even if young participants do not go on to become professional dancers, they learn important life skills at the dance centre.

Sally said:“We have a youth development programme - Monmouthshire Youth Dance Company, (MYDC) which is for those with a little bit more interest, drive, and talent. In the last three years, five members have gone on to train in dance – four to the Conservatoire for Dance and one to the Royal Ballet School.

“With MYDC, we run a project with Ignite, which is unique in Wales, where young people audition and commission professional choreographers. We had 30 applicants from choreographers across the UK and across Europe and the youngsters look at their promo videos, interview them, and audition them. It allows them to exercise their own viewpoints and aids their critical thinking.

“Starting with us can really be life-changing. For example, a few years ago, a local woman in a wheelchair came to us and told us that she had nowhere to dance, so we set up our Danceability class for adults with disabilities. The community’s needs drive us on.

“The service is hugely important for young people, as it can be inspirational even for those who will not be dancers. It encourages them to be focused, open, critical and attentive.”

Among Dance Blast’s most popular classes is the mini blast class, for those aged between three and six. This is held on Tuesdays between 3.45pm and 4.30pm.

Rosie Cribb, 38, lives in Abergavenny and said that her daughter, Louisa, four, loves the class.

She said: “Louisa’s been going for two years and we started in parent/toddler classes. It got her used to the idea of dancing and that kind of environment. It was a really active class and I was learning just as much as she was.

“Unlike other toddler groups, where the parents go off for coffee, the parents were just as involved and I’ve made friends there myself. It’s a real hub for the community and it’s just something different.”

She added: “Louisa has tried other dance studios, but she loves this one the best. It’s child-centric, with skipping, dancing, and basic games. It’s free form, but there’s a real method to it because otherwise the kids would just be running around. It’s quite telling that she’s so calm when she comes out of each class and it’s really helped with her social skills.

“When I was younger, there was not a setting like this and dancing was quite formal. I hope she progresses there through her teens and I think it’s her best shot at a lifelong interest. It’s more than a dance class for her; it’s a social experience.”

But it’s not just the youngsters that Dance Blast focuses on. The organisation also runs classes for more experienced dancers.

Mary Teear, 66, of Abergavenny, who is a member of the over-50s Dancefit class, said that Dance Blast has created an enjoyable environment that people want to return to.

She said: "The classes that I attend have become an essential part of my life. It provides a spacious environment in which to dance and exercise.

“I attend, mainly for the purpose of trying to maintain good health and to feel the benefit it brings, both physically and mentally. It certainly achieves that.

“I feel a responsibility to try and look after my health and Dance Blast provides the discipline and routine which motivates me too. It is so enjoyable and also creates a happy, social activity for all who attend. A participant who attends is blind and very much appreciates the ideal environment and space provided at the class.”

For more information on Dance Blast, email dance-blast@hotmail.co.uk, call 01873 855544 or visit www.dance-blast.org