3 April 2025
Sue Passmore Award 24/25
Awarded to:
Above Ballet Company – Ayomi Tsalu
Project Title:
Decreasing the entry barrier for underserved black communities: Presenting the first set of Nigerian ballet students for ISTD graded examinations
Project Overview:
This project aims to empower Nigerian ballet students who have demonstrated a love for ballet through annual workshops over the past three years, especially as they live outside Lagos where most dance studios are concentrated. Through intensive training in 2025, selected students will enter for graded examinations by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). Additionally, local teachers will be hired and provided with Continuing Professional Development opportunities, enabling them to enhance their teaching skills and take examinations themselves, ultimately fostering a supportive environment for students to achieve ballet excellence and spread the love of dance.
Ayomi said “This funding gives me the chance to enter my Grade 1 students for graded exams by the ISTD. These kids have worked so hard with me over the past 1-2 years, and this is a perfect gift to give to them so they can move onto the next phase of their training. This is for every Nigerian who is working very hard and training hoping that one day they can move onto the next phase. We are teaching them to hope. We are showing them how to train because if we can do it, they too can do it. So, thank you to the ISTD and to Sue Passmore for making our dream a reality. We are going to be able to enter 15-20 students and 2 of their teachers, so they can continue to train when I am not there. It is such a beautiful opportunity, and I am immensely grateful for this chance. Thank you so much.”
Broadening Access to Dance Award 24/25
Awarded to:
Leamington & Warwick Academy of Dance (LWAD) – Vivienne Kibble
Project Title:
BORAF (Barbara O'Rourke Arts Foundation)
Project Overview:
The Barbara O'Rourke Arts Foundation was established in memory of Barbara who spent a lifetime teaching children. The charity supports children in Warwickshire to access dance classes who may not be able to afford them. This award will allow our established schools projects to expand into further schools in this area where students receiving pupil premium is over 50%. This gives free access for any child wishing to attend dance sessions within their own school. We can also offer further assistance to talented students in collaboration with local dance schools helping to cover the cost of equipment, fees and exam fees. Thank you ISTD for giving us this award. We are extremely grateful.
Vivienne said: “I am delighted to have been given the BATDA by the ISTD. Thank you so much. We work with a charity called BORAF, where we go into local schools and offer free dance classes within these schools. These schools are identified with high percentage of pupils with pupil premium, which means they can easily access dance even if they do not have the funds to do it. We also help students in current training with local dance schools where they may have to have expensive exams, dance equipment and fees, so this £2000 dance award is so, so wonderful and thank you ISTD for giving this to us.”
