Live online workshops, led by Billy Read, Deaf street dancer and Choreographer.
Starting the week of 16th November, UK Deaf Sport have commissioned Billy Read to lead 6 x 30 minute zoom sessions for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in schools around the UK.
3 sessions will be aimed at primary school and 3 sessions for secondary schools.
After taking part in the zoom sessions, Billy also has a series of 5 x 15 minute dance videos that can also be shared with schools to use with students. This is part of a research commission by Arts Connect with Deaf Explorer and more information will be posted shortly.
As safeguarding is of key concern, Deaf Explorer are happy to talk to each school to find out how access to the workshop would be best. Deaf Explorer have a professional zoom account with meetings set up with password protection.
The aim is that 2-3 Deaf schools would access the zoom session, depending on class sizes. Deaf Explorer safeguarding lead & BSL interpreter, Rachael Veazey, will be with Billy on the zoom call (but Rachael would have her camera switched off and provide voice over for the session). Both Billy Read and Rachael Veazey are DBS checked and can provide certificates for schools.
Billy would like the students to be able to see him teach, as well as see each other, so it feels like a large workshop session for students, but happy to just to teach with the school’s camera switched off and communicate via the chat function if that is more appropriate for the schools.
Dates and times are yet to be fixed, ideally we would like the schools to agree dates and times together as this is a shared workshop experience. Deaf Explorer and UK Deaf Sport are happy to make introductions between schools and staff as needed.
Previous feedback from a deputy Head teacher after Billy’s residency work at a school:
‘I just wanted to let you know that the impact of your work with the children has been remarkable, both during the week you were here and after you had gone. Over the course of the week, we saw some of our most shy pupils transform into confident stars of the stage… The dad of a profoundly deaf pupil…[said] she had arrived home from school each evening buzzing about the Deaf dance teachers. The whole week was an incredible success, true inclusion at its very best. I must tell you that nearly all of the children you worked with went on to create their own dance piece for the school talent show – the staff were amazed at how the children were able to transfer the skills they had learnt from you to choreograph their own piece. Thank you all so very much for a transformational week – we will remember it for many years to come’
If your school or class are interested in the workshop, please email Rachael at rachaelv@deafexplorer.com and we can arrange a (video) call to sort out logistics.
