Name of Silver Swans Teacher
Rosemary Beagley, LRAD, RTS, CBTS tutor and PTS
Studio
Theatre de la Danse
Male Street, Brighton, VIC 3186
https://tdld.com.au/
info@tdld.com.au
T: 03 9592 0890
About Rosemary
Having graduated from the College of the Royal Academy of Dance in 1989, Rosemary gained her teaching qualifications and Licentiate. Since then, she has been teaching adults alongside younger students, both in the UK and, for the last twenty-two years, in Australia.
Whilst teaching at Theatre de la Danse, the success of the adult ballet program meant they had the demand to create a new, beginner’s class. This class naturally attracted older women, which led to Rosemary training as a Silver Swans teacher and Licensee enjoying the support of the RAD to work with these valuable clients.
Q and A with Rosemary
What made you choose to become a Silver Swans Licensee?
Although I have been teaching students and adults for over 30 years, I saw the Silver Swans Licensee program as an opportunity to consolidate my understanding of what older learners want and need, and most significantly know how to keep them safe. It is important to me that I have the support of the RAD’s knowledge and expertise to support my teaching. I consider it essential too that my Silver Swans are fully aware that I have undertaken this training.
What do you tell people who are interested in becoming a Silver Swan?
Do it!!
No matter your age or physical attributes we can make classes safe and enjoyable for all to participate.
There are so many ways that these classes support my beautiful ladies; physically, socially and mentally. I have the privilege of sharing their joy of dance, their wise and wonderful life experiences and seeing tiny, yet huge, improvements to their well-being and day to day lives.
Do any of your Swans take RAD exams or learn any of the RAD syllabus?
Whilst we haven’t undertaken any exams, I use the RAD Grade 6 work as a base, including the character steps. My Swans enjoy learning repertoire work too, so the new Discovering Repertoire Syllabi has been another great resource.
Besides the enjoyment of dance, what do you think Silver Swans get out of coming to your classes?
There are so many benefits:
- Company, friendship, shared experiences, memories evoked and a social group.
- The joy of music
- Concentration and mental processing
- Improved mobility, balance, control, confidence, posture
- Humour adds to their overall health and well-being
How does dance help build resilience in older women?
When I meet prospective Swans for the first time, they often express that balance and mobility issues are a concern for them. It doesn’t seem to take long before they report back to me how these issues have improved through the participation in these Silver Swans classes. I can see the evidence of this by their growth in confidence with their movements.
But there is more that happens in these classes. Friendships are made, confidences are shared, laughter is heard, and support is genuinely given and received. This extends beyond the 60 minutes of class. I include myself when I say we all leave the studio stronger and happier, with a spring in our step, and a song in our hearts.