At G-Expressions we aim to provide a range of opportunities for our members to get involved!
Thanks to our funders Arts Council for Wales and partners at the University of South Wales whom have enabled us to provide new and exciting ways to share dance and creativity.
Through projects, courses, classes and more…. with our teams guidance and support: we give young people the confidence, tools, and skills to achieve their goals and supportive conditions in which to grow and thrive. We then encourage them to go out and have new experiences which they then bring back and share with their younger peers.
Through GExpressions young dancers have the opportunity to gain both level 1 and 2 sports leader qualifications which enable them to go out and teach in their chosen communities; however as a result of the covid19 pandemic, many of those who have achieved their qualification have yet to have an opportunity to implement them.
The covid19 pandemic has had a huge effect on creators and dancers, with classes, workshops and theatres being closed for a drastic length of time- this meant those who gained their qualification with us, were not given the opportunities to implement them in the community. So as a company we knew we had to be creative.
Mibinti- Course Coordinator
The tiktok takeover initiative came from, our young people telling us that tiktok was so popular amongst dancers! This was a platform they were all using, and a platform they wanted to see us on!
The GX Tiktok take-over is a newly launched development, which enables individuals who have gained their level 1 or 2 dance leader qualification with GExpressions, to gain employment through creating content and material for the company’s social platform.
Through our communications we had to adapt frequently oner the last year, to be able to continue being creative and providing a service through this testing climate. We have learned a lot, and mostly from our young people! They’ve taught us about the platforms they’ve been using, and ideas they’ve had to stay connected during this pandemic- and we’ve brought them to life by following their lead.
Dan- Youth Communications Officer
Over the last month through the initiative, the GX Tiktok platform has gained over 150 followers through young people’s participation- with the platform now reaching the 1000 followers milestone which opens up the new opportunity of delivering live sessions which is in the pipeline for September.
‘I think it’s amazing that I have been able to get a job opportunity not only working with my tutors but also doing something I really enjoy which is creating content. Dance classes have been closed for the majority of this year so we haven’t been able to get much experience but I feel like this is bettering my confidence in presenting myself and my routines, as through tiktok we are reaching so many people- even more than if we were teaching a class!’
-GX tiktok takeover Dance Mentor
During it’s first month- GExpressions have provided employment to 7 dance leaders, with more preparing to join the scheme in September, through this programme, Dance Leaders also get the experience of learning about social media, the importance of online safety- and get equipped with professional policy training.
”It is really empowering that GExpressions are trusting us and allowing us to take this opportunity, I have learned so much already and all these skills I will take with me when I begin to teach in person classes, all the training we are getting alongside, it is all contributing to the teachers we will become”
-GX tiktok takeover Dance Mentor
GX Dance Mentors plan to launch ‘GX tiktok Live’ dance workshops in September, which will enable young people across the UK and wider to tune in to live dance workshops with GX Dance mentors every week- to learn a variety of trends, techniques and skills.
