Performance and Choreography Opportunity for Local Dancer Supported by GDance and National Star College

Current GDance Fellow, Tayla Wood, performing in Day of Dance at The Roses Theatre in January 2014. (photography: Thomas Burgess (Roses Theatre))

You may remember the Echo/Citizen story of Gloucester-based production and training company GDance awarding a Fellowship to Tayla Woods, 20, from Cheltenham.

The Fellowship, funded by Gloucester City Council and Pavilion South West, supported Tayla to pursue her career goals in the dance world through mentoring, training and opportunities to work with industry professionals to develop her creative and leadership potential.

Through her fellowship Tayla has choreographed a piece of dance for GDance’s Youth based on the 7/7 London bombings. Along with the Youth Company dancers Tayla will be performing in The Crystal Dance Festival, showcasing the talented disabled and non-disabled dancers in Gloucestershire
The Crystal Festival takes place at the National Star College in Ullenwood, Cheltenham 26 & 27 March, from 7pm and tickets priced £4 (£2 concs) can be purchased from the College.

This will be the 4th year for the inclusive festival for all those who love to dance and perform. As usual, a diverse mix of local schools, community groups and dance schools will be taking part.

Tayla had said:

“I would like to develop my choreographic skills further and be involved in as many opportunities as possible.”

Sarah Gardiner, The Crystal Dance Festival’s organiser at the National Star College, said:

“I’m so happy about Tayla getting this funding”

After completing this fellowship experience with GDance, Tayla’s ambition is to undertake a BA Hons. in Choreography at Falmouth University.


GDance’s Fellowship Scheme supports a range of disabled leaders, choreographers and producers, as well as non-disabled artists interested in working inclusively with their disabled peers.  It is one of a range of training and performance opportunities offered by the Gloucester-based charity including another tour of ‘Stuck in the Mud’ a dance journey through historic settings this Summer.  To find out more about the Fellowship Scheme, and ‘Stuck in the Mud’ dates and venues, go to: www.gdance.co.uk