A DANCE teacher from Rhos on Sea who has been asked to become a talent scout for a popular TV show will stage a workshop for aspiring dancers in his hometown this week.
Dane Bates, choreographer and teacher of the Dane Bates Collective, a group of nine young dancers which reached the semi-final of The Greatest Dancer, has been asked to become a talent scout for the show's second series.
But the 31-year-old has not forgotten his roots and will return to Rhos on Sea as part of his UK-wide Masterclasses dance lesson tour.
Mr Bates said the workshop aims to give opportunities and experiences to aspiring dancers in North Wales after he found few chances in the area growing up. He will also use the dance lesson to spot new members for the Collective's next line-up.
Dane Bates, 31.
Mr Bates said: "Masterclasses are so important me. Growing up locally, there weren’t many opportunities for aspiring dancers. We had to go much further afield for the top training - I trained in Liverpool and Leeds and did my degree in London.
"My aim has always been to bring something back to the kids in North Wales, which first started with me, teaching the skills that I’d learnt at friends dance schools when I was home during the Easter and summer holidays about 10 years ago. Then I decided to do my own workshops with an amazing guest teacher and it’s just got bigger every year.
"Now I’m bringing guest choreographers from all over the country and as far as the United States, offering workshops of different styles and genres.
Mr Bates will run the workshop at Llandrillo College.
"These choreographers are some of the best in the business and have worked with the biggest names and productions in the industry. The range we are offering to the children is just unreal."
Mr Bates most recently choreographed dances for Ffion McMorrow, one of his Irish students who performed in the Ireland’s Got Talent final.
He added: "It is such an amazing feeling to bring an event like this to North Wales and to see what the dancers take away from the different workshops is just immense.
"There really was nothing on this level that was locally accessible for me as an aspiring dancer. It was also important for me to make it affordable as I could for people."
The Masterclass takes place at Llandrillo College between 8.30am and 3.30pm from Monday, April 15 to Thursday, April 18.
For more information or to book your place, email danebatesmasterclasses@gmail.com
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