Dancers welcome guru (From Stroud News and Journal)

Dancers welcome guru

TALENTED teenage dancers from across the county were gearing themselves up for the arrival of Kylie Minogue's music video and world tour choreographer, Rafael Bonachela, in Gloucester last week.

Gloucestershire Dance tempted the Rambert Dance Company Associate Choreographer to the county to work with talented dancers, aged between 14 and 17, all of whom are members of the Gloucestershire Youth Dance Company.

Rafael conducted classes at Ribston Hall High School with the group from Thursday, January 27 to Sunday, January 30. He was working with 27 dancers to create a five minute contemporary dance which will be premiered at the Youth Dance Festival taking place in Stroud, Cirencester and Coleford in early March.

"I am excited to be working with such an enthusiastic group of young and talented people," said Rafael. "Hopefully I can inspire them to achieve whatever they want out of life - possibly even a career in dance."

Rafael offers a contemporary and youthful angle to dance, attracting and inspiring those not always interested in the genre. His award winning and respected work with companies and artists such as Rambert Dance Company, Dance Works Rotterdam, Kylie Minogue, Primal Scream and even Cheltenham International Festival of Music has gained him much critical acclaim.

"Our students were thrilled at the prospect of working with such a talented and respected choreographer," said Anthony Baker, Gloucestershire Dance's Dance Development Officer. "Rafael is a significant contemporary choreographer with whom we are all very privileged to be working."

Entry to Gloucester Youth Dance Company is by audition every July. The auditions attract the best contemporary dancers from across the county.

For further information regarding the Gloucestershire Youth Dance Company please contact Brenda Whitwell at Gloucestershire Dance on 01452 550431.