Published on:
10
November 2005
A talented Sauchie dancer has turned a hobby into his new career after he was spotted by a Dutch performing arts group.
Now Martin Barnes (20) is on his way to a new life in Amsterdam where he will become a professional dancer as a member of one of the most exciting street dance groups in the world.
Just a few weeks ago Martin was planning to study a degree in Interior Design at Salford University having achieved a HND in the subject at Falkirk College. Dance was his hobby, and he enjoyed teaching local youngsters hip hop dancing at youth clubs and arts events in his spare time.
"I loved teaching the classes of teenagers at Zones and BOSS, sometimes up to 40 kids at a time, but I never thought it would lead to something like this," said Martin.
His part-time work for the Council's Creative Link Officer Kathleen O'Neill and Karen Newbigging from the children and youth work team led Martin to become involved when Dutch group ISH held a three-day residency at Alloa's Lornshill Academy in September.
The event was the group's first visit to the UK with their exciting mix of acrobatics, street dance, break dance, video art, martial arts, rap, beatbox and a live DJ mix.
"I was called up to get involved with the workshops at Lornshill and before I knew it I was being given the chance to work with this amazing, international dance group," said Martin.
It was a tough decision for Martin to give up his university place, but he knew the chance to work with ISH was a once in a lifetime opportunity so agreed to go for an audition in Amsterdam.
Having never been on a plane or abroad before, this was a momentous occasion for Martin, in more ways than one.
He said: "I have been doing a lot of dancing over the past two years, but once I knew I had the audition I spent two hours every day, seven days a week training to get myself up to the right level. I mainly do hip hop dancing, but also dancehall, street, break dancing and crump."
Martin, a former Lornshill Academy pupil, gave the audition his all. "I rapped and then did some freestyle and choreographed dancing. I used to play basketball for the Falkirk Fury team and I decided to show off some basketball skills because I thought that fitted into their street discipline but was also different from what they are doing just now. And it obviously worked."
ISH were so impressed by his work - all self taught, and physically very hard to achieve - that they have invited him for professional training. "All I need to sort out now is accommodation and some funding and I will be on my way to train to become a professional dancer," he added.
Now, as part of ISH, Martin could be involved in tours around the Netherlands and even around the world.
"Hopefully one of the tours will bring me back to Clackmannanshire," said Martin. "I owe the Council, particularly the Creative Links Programme and the Children and Youth Service so much for the chances I've been given. I'd also like to thanks the Arts Forum for the funding they gave me."