Dancers across Hampshire spread message of love with collaborative video created from their own homes

Students of Distraction Dance Company, a branch of Abstract Dance and Performing Arts, have created an uplifting video to show they are ‘apart, but together at heart’.

The group of performers, who attend classes across Hampshire and West Sussex, were encouraged to create a short video by principal Amber Leigh Mitchell, who edited the pieces together to create a feeling of togetherness for the group.

Each clip shows a student catching a love heart, drawing one themselves and passing it on to share some positive vibes while the schools are closed due to the government guidance on social gatherings.

Amber, 28, said: ‘I have been coming up with ways they can still keep in touch and keep motivated. I think it’s a really difficult time for them so I have been coming up with ways to keep positive.

‘I did it with this group because we had a lot of performances coming up in the next few months which we won’t be able to do. I wanted them all to still feel part of something.’

Including the main studio in Portsmouth, Abstract Dance and Performing Arts has 10 schools around the area, teaching around 600 students.

Distraction Dance Company, which is made up of students who want to go on to be professional performers, recently showed off their talents at a huge exhibition in Ireland, but had to close last Tuesday due to coronavirus.

Creating this video, where they are all dressed up in their uniforms, made the dancers feel very happy to see each other again, and some family and friends said the heartwarming message brought a tear to their eyes.

Amber said: ‘They were all very excited to get their uniforms on and create a piece of art together again even though not together physically but virtually.’

The Fareham resident added: ‘It was really lovely to see them all and make sure they’re all OK.’