Celebrating 25 Years of Community Dance

This year, Emma Mallam, the passionate and inspiring dance leader behind Motion Control Dance, is celebrating a significant milestone—25 years of community dance in the Vale of Glamorgan. As a mother, dancer, and community leader, Emma’s journey is not only a testament to her unwavering dedication to dance but also to her ability to turn personal tragedy into a force for positive change in her community. 

For a quarter of a century, Emma has dedicated her life to spreading the joy and transformative power of dance across the Vale of Glamorgan. Emma’s impact on the local community has been immeasurable. Her 25th anniversary celebration is not just about looking back—it’s about celebrating the connections, friendships, and shared memories that dance has fostered over the years.

A Passion for Dance: A Lifelong Dream

Emma's love for dance started at an early age, and she knew that her calling was to teach and inspire others. After training and gaining qualifications in dance at De Montfort University Bedford, Emma took her first steps towards creating a lasting impact in the Vale of Glamorgan by founding YDance, a small but dedicated dance school. Her vision was clear: to bring the transformative power of dance to people of all ages and backgrounds. Emma’s classes were a place where young people could not only learn technical dance but also express themselves creatively, build confidence, and forge connections with others. Her energy and enthusiasm created a positive, nurturing environment that resonated with every student, from the youngest beginner to seasoned dancers.

In 2004, Emma’s world was turned upside down when her husband, Robert Mallam, passed away due to a brain tumour.  The heartbreak was immeasurable, and Emma found herself navigating the overwhelming grief of losing her partner while raising their young son. But even in the face of such profound loss, Emma’s strength shone through.  While the pain of losing Robert never truly goes away, Emma found solace and purpose in her community and the dance classes that she continued to run. Dance became her therapy, her way of processing grief and healing while simultaneously helping others do the same.

Overcoming Adversity: The Birth of Motion Control Dance

With a new found strength, over the next decade, Emma grew Motion Control Dance with the help of Vibe Experience (where she was the dance development officer), into something much larger which we now know as the Motion Control Dance (MCD) charity. With a new mission and expanded vision, MCD focused not just on teaching dance, but on using dance as a tool for social change and inclusivity.

Over the years, Emma has supported many young dancers develop their own path into the dance industry encouraging them to follow their dreams and giving them opportunities for their own personal development. She has also employed many wonderful freelance tutors who have played a valuable part in the creation of the community dance charity that we have today, a huge thanks goes out to Sam Griffiths, Samantha Owens, Lynne Hughes and Sophie Batey for their vision and development of the various programmes that MCD delivered during those early years to now.

In 2015, Emma took the bold step of registering MCD as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), expanding its reach and solidifying its role in the community. The charity's mission is: to uplift individuals to be their unique selves, and to create opportunities for self-expression and empowerment and enrich lives through movement. MCD's classes are renowned for being welcoming and accessible, from movement sessions for older people, inclusive dance classes for people with disabilities to youth dance programs that engage and inspire the next generation.

She has built up a team of amazing dance professionals over the decades who are also as committed as Emma is in making a difference to lives through movement and have said she was the person who encouraged them to follow their own journeys in motion! Emma is extremely grateful to Alex Brown, Yasmin Harcourt, Olivia Shouler, Callum Lock, Rowan Hawkins, Leighton Rees, Natty Lou, Kane Silver, Lee Crowley, Cory Gould, Daniel Rowe plus many others who worked with different dancers from MCD over the years creating memorable pieces for shows and competitions.

Resilience and Community Support: A Legacy of Love

Emma’s work goes beyond the dance studio. She has collaborated with local schools through initiatives like the 5x60 scheme, encouraging young people to engage in physical activity and discover the benefits of dance as part of their well-being. Through her classes and outreach programs, she has impacted the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of people across the county.

Her dedication to inclusivity was recognised in 2024 when the MCD charity received the Gold Insport Badge for Inclusion and won the Best Inclusive Services Award with ThinkEdi. These particular accolades celebrated the work of the MCD Staff tireless commitment to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to dance, regardless of their circumstances. Shout out to the present MCD team - Sam Griffiths, Lara Ward, Chris Collins, Jamie Berry, Marina Bolundut, Sophie Lorimer and Thandiwe McDonnell, not forgetting our fantastic dance leaders for all their support and continued commitment to our community dance family.

Honoring Robert’s Memory: A Tribute Through Dance

For Emma, the memory of her late husband Robert is always close to her heart. In honor of Robert, at the annual awards ceremony a dancer is presented with the Mallam Award. This is presented to a dancer who has demonstrated certain qualities throughout the year that reflect resilience and dedication towards their own journey and the MCD Charity.

With Emma’s passion for dance and health she has implemented the Braindance curriculum. Emma wants her dancers to have more than just a learning to move experience. She wants to create meaning, find strength in each other, and keep their memories alive through movement. Helping to improve cognition, reduce depression, maintain flexibility, develop core strength, reduce fatigue and stress, and increases attention and focus.  

Emma’s legacy is one of resilience, passion, and service to others. Her story is a powerful reminder of how the arts can be a transformative tool in overcoming adversity and that a single individual—driven by love, dedication, and community spirit—can truly make a difference.

A Party Like No Other: Reconnecting Through Dance

As Emma reflects on her 25-year journey, It has been filled with triumphs, personal growth, and deep connections with others. She’s proud of what she has accomplished, but there is lots more that she would like to achieve for MCD as it continues to thrive, offering an ever-expanding array of classes and community projects designed to bring people together. Her wish was to have a party in the for the community this summer to celebrate together.

Emma’s dance party is more than just a show; it’s an opportunity to reconnect, reflect, and celebrate. Bringing together past and present students, teachers, and community members, the event is a joyous occasion that honors the legacy of MCD while looking toward the future of dance in the community.

The party will include a variety of exciting performances and workshops, highlighting the diversity and creativity of the dance classes MCD has run over the years. From inclusive dance to contemporary dance, street dance, and everything in between, the event showcases the wide range of classes that have helped shape the dance scene in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Former students—many of whom started their dance journeys at a young age—are invited to return and take part in the festivities and share the impact the school had on their lives. This feedback will serve as a reminder of how dance can shape not only skills but also relationships and memories that last a lifetime.

A Celebration of Growth and Inclusivity

Inclusivity has always been at the core of Emma’s dance philosophy. Over the years, she’s worked tirelessly to create opportunities for people to engage in dance, regardless of their circumstances or background. The event itself is a testament to how far MCD has come, not just in terms of artistic growth but in the sense of creating a supportive, welcoming environment for all.

The event will include workshops taught by the amazing current MCD teachers. These sessions are designed to inspire both the new generation of dancers and those who have danced for years but are looking for a creative refresher. It's a chance to learn, grow, and discover something new, whether you're a seasoned performer or just beginning to explore the world of dance.

Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future

While the festival is undoubtedly a celebration of the past, it’s also about embracing the future of community dance. The ascendance from a small dance school to the thriving MCD charity shows just how much potential exists for dance to positively impact the community.

Looking ahead, Emma plans to continue expanding MCD’s outreach, offering even more opportunities for people of all ages to get involved with dance. Through partnerships with local schools, extracurricular programs, and outreach to those in need, Emma is committed to ensuring that the next 25 years of community dance are even more impactful than the last.

A Personal Celebration: Emma’s Heartfelt Thanks

The dance event is not just a public celebration—it’s also a deeply personal one for Emma. She has poured her heart and soul into this work, and the success of the festival represents the culmination of 25 years of hard work, dedication, and love for dance.

Emma has always been driven by a desire to give back to the community that supported her, and the dance event offers her a chance to express her gratitude to everyone who has been part of her journey. From the students who have inspired her to the parents who trusted her to teach their children, to the dance teachers she has supported, to the organisations she has partnered with, the dance event is an opportunity for Emma to say thank you for the years of support, love, and friendship.

"It's been an incredible journey, and I am so grateful for the wonderful people who have walked this path with me," Emma says. "The community we've built through dance is something I hold dear to my heart, and I’m excited for what the future holds for all of us. Thank you to everyone who has ever danced with me!"

Looking Forward to the Next 25 Years

As Emma celebrates this incredible milestone, the dance party is just the beginning of what promises to be another exciting chapter in her journey. With the continued success of Motion Control Dance, Emma remains committed to offering a platform for creativity, self-expression, and community connection through dance.

For those who have yet to experience the magic of Motion Control Dance, Emma's invitation is clear: come, join us, and be part of this incredible dance family. And for those who have been part of the journey, the festival is a reunion—a chance to reconnect, reminisce, and continue the legacy of community dance in the Vale of Glamorgan.

As Emma Mallam celebrates this huge milestone in her career, the festival is a joyful reminder of how dance can transform lives, build lasting relationships, and create a sense of belonging that lasts far beyond the studio.

Here's to the next 25 years of dance, community, and the enduring spirit of Motion Control Dance!