A dance school which started as a business 3 years ago and founded by performer Kayleigh Gage, has expanded and is now a community interest company, bringing creative arts about local people, for local people, with local people.
With a focus on community classes, nationwide events, creative academy Saturday school and the development of a professional theatre company, the business has expanded its community classes and are now established in Horden, Easington, Darlington, Shotton and Chester-le-Street.
Taking take dance, music, art and fitness to the extremes, pushing styles and maintaining a professional technique, fusing styles together, Garage NE brings an urban flavour to classical styles to make them fresh and current, ensuring to instil and develop on the style’s technical range.
Gage says “We bring something Fresh, Funky and most importantly Fun! — The three Fs. We make our projects available to everyone, regardless of ability. Access to the creative industry is a big part of community inclusion and will combat isolation.”
The Garage will provide the community with activities that stretch not only the mind but the body as well. By bringing inactive and socially deprived people of the community a chance to be involved and develop new skills, the organisation is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and positive wellbeing.
Creative director Kayleigh Gage commented “It has been an ambition to grow the business by providing a best in Creative experience for children and adults. We are over the moon that we have been able to expand not only in the number of dance schools but we have widened our dance offering to include; street dance, breakdance, contemporary, ballet, burlesque, tap graffiti art, music, Latin and ballroom and musical theatre. We provide innovative friendly projects that engage with our community and will in turn inspire our next generation of creators.
“Running a business that I am passionate about is the perfect tonic when you love what you do,” concludes Kayleigh.
The Garage NE’ tutors are practising dancers and performers and as with Kayleigh, have enjoyed experience in performing in London as well as national and global experience.
Kayleigh Gage who worked as a professional dancer, actor singer and choreographer appearing in shows such as Wind in the Willows, Wild Party and Dr Faustus. The tutors have enviable performance backgrounds, a number having studied at Italia Conti Stage School, Sunderland University and LPA as well as tutors who gained skills through performing with various dance crews. The tutor experience includes appearing in films and theatre productions such as The Royal Variety Performance and performing alongside artists such as Ceelo Green, Nicole Sherzinger and Pixie Lott.
After initially basing the company in Horden’s Youth and Community Centre, Gage has invested in the premises and developed a rehearsal studio alongside expansion into two other areas.
“We aim to be at the heart of the community and welcome people of all ages and abilities and are committed to making a change in communities through dance, fitness, art and music”, concludes Gage.
For more information, please visit http://thegaragene.co.uk or call 01915181239.