Damon can't afford to dance (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Damon can't afford to dance

Damon Lattimer can't afford the tuition fees to study dancing Ref: 78089-134A TEENAGER who wants to be the next Billy Elliot is appealing for financial help so he can take up a place on a dance course.

Damon Lattimer, 16, who lives in Woodshaw, Wootton Bassett, is desperate to do the Dance Foundation Course at Swindon Dance but can't afford the fee of £3,500.

This is the first year that the Learning and Skills Council has not funded students taking the course but Damon says he is determined to take up the place he won on the course after auditioning.

Damon said: "I absolutely have to do the course because I desperately want to become a professional dancer. My dream is to join a dance company and one day to become a choreographer.

"There is nothing else I can imagine doing with my life."

Damon already takes classes in ballet and contemporary dance at Swindon Dance as part of its Youth Talent Programme. He said: "I started dancing four years ago.

"I used to do gymnastics and was really flexible and I wanted to try dancing because it is so creative.

"I never realised that I would love it so much.

"When I auditioned for the Dance Foundation course they asked me to do jazz which I didn't know much about at all. But I got through and I was over the moon.

"If I can't take up the place because of the money I'm going to be really, really disappointed."

Damon is confident that he has the ability to make it as a success in the dance world.

"There are not many male dancers out there," he said.

"And I have been told I am quite good and that I've got talent.

"I've also got the determination to make it and that counts for a lot.

"I'm confident that I could make it if I do the Dance Foundation Course, but if I don't do it I'm not so sure."

Damon, who lives with mum Sarah, a teacher, dad David, who works in sales, his two brothers and a sister, says he is inspired by the film Billy Elliot which has now been turned into a musical with songs by Elton John.

He said: "He was just an ordinary boy who just went ahead and did his thing.

"I think that's great."

Anybody who thinks they can help Damon to pay for his place on the Foundation Course should write to him at Swindon Dance, Town Hall Studios, Regent Circus, Swindon SN1 1QF.

Catherine Turnbull