YOUNG dancers in Newport will get expert tuition from one of the UK’s top ballet companies, after they secured a national grant.

Directors and dancers from Ballet Cymru, who are based in Newport, will be out and about in five local schools from September to inspire children to aspire to something with their lives, whether that be in dance or not.

The company will give the sessions in Ringland, Gaer, Millbrook, St Julians and Pill schools, thanks to the Paul Hamlyn foundation, a UKwide charity which aims to support organisations looking to maximise opportunities for individuals, particularly children and young people.

Ballet Cymru, in conjunction with Cardiff-based Rubicon dance, will give sessions in all types of dance, and the children will also have the chance to attend their shows. It is all part of the company’s commitment to remain firmly rooted in the Newport community.

Amy Doughty, assistant artistic director and education programme manager for Ballet Cymru, said: “We are really invested in Newport: the company holds its auditions here and we run the Riverfront dance summer schools here. We think it is really important to be really involved in Newport.”

You can see the company in action for free this Saturday, as they perform with the advanced students from the company’s Riverfront dance summer school.

The show is at the Riverfront from 2.30pm.