MEMBERS of Alloa Ballet Company have been dancing through lockdown after taking their classes online.

When Clacks went into lockdown in March 2020, the studio doors closed and they started Zoom classes.

The classes have been held weekly for all students from the teeny tiny Twinkle Toes classes to the vocational senior students.

Not only did pupils continue to learn new skills and techniques, but it was a time for the dance family to come together and socialise, while the classes have also provided a sense of routine and normality which has been lacking for the students.

Heather Shrimpton, principal of the company, told how proud she was of each and every pupil who has shown resilience and commitment to turn up regularly to take part.

One parent said: "Being able to keep up with some dance practice and fitness throughout this last year has been great.

"At a time when everything was uncertain it was good to have regular dance lessons as part of my daughter's weekly routine and for her to get some fitness too.

"Although there is no comparing to dancing alongside your friends, the Zoom classes have been a really useful way of keeping the connection with the dance group and making sure skills and confidence are not lost."

On top of the usual classes, there have also been a wide variety of workshops.

A recent Winter Wellness Workshop for parents was held in collaboration with Neals Yard and the tiny dancers enjoyed a visit from Princess Anna and learnt to curtsey like a princess.

The studio was also able to link up with a choreographer in New York and learnt many new choreographic and improvisation skills in an incredible opportunity that would never have happened if not for the lockdown.