When Hip-Hop Meets Bach: Students and Pros Unite for Epic Dance Remix

In north London, a unique partnership is changing the way students experience music and dance. At Acland Burghley School, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) has become a permanent part of school life, bringing professional musicians and students together in creative projects. One of their most exciting collaborations is Breaking Bach, a performance that mixes hip-hop street dance with the classical music of Johann Sebastian Bach, who wrote his famous pieces over 300 years ago.

Students like Jeriah and Emmanuel have discovered new sides of themselves through Breaking Bach. Jeriah, who is 15, noticed posters about the project and decided to audition for the dance team. He found that dancing to classical music was very different from street dance, which focuses on sharp beats. With Bach’s music, he learned to move more fluidly and let the music guide his choreography. Emmanuel, 14, also joined the project and admits that he used to think classical music was just for older people. After learning about Bach’s complex compositions, he now appreciates classical music and uses it to inspire his dance moves. Both students say the project has helped them grow and prepare for the future.

Behind the scenes, Harvey, another student, worked as the sound engineer for Breaking Bach’s London previews. He had never considered sound engineering as a career before, but working with the orchestra opened his eyes to new possibilities in the music industry, including lighting and cinematography. Harvey says the experience gave him a sense of achievement and confidence, which led him to become a youth MP in Camden. This shows how the partnership between the school and the orchestra helps students develop skills beyond music, such as leadership and teamwork.

The OAE is the first professional orchestra in the UK to have a permanent residency at a state secondary school. Musicians rehearse in the school hall and run workshops for students, sometimes just hours before performing at major venues like the Southbank Centre. The orchestra’s presence has had a big impact on the school’s music exam results. In the past five years, the pass rate for GCSE music has jumped from 24 percent to 77 percent, even though the school has many students with special educational needs or who require extra support.

Each year, the OAE’s education program reaches 17,000 young people, many of whom have little access to live classical music. Musicians say working with students gives them fresh inspiration and energy. The partnership has been described as a win-win, benefiting both the orchestra and the school. Crispin Woodhead, the chief executive of the OAE, believes their story shows how cultural groups can rethink their role in society and bring the arts to more communities. He hopes other organizations will follow their example.

Breaking Bach was performed at the Edinburgh International Festival and is now available to stream online. The orchestra’s work is helping students discover new talents and interests, and musicians are finding new sources of creativity. Violinist Catherine Arlidge says making music is like making a cake or a sandwich: you just need the right ingredients and a recipe. This message encourages everyone to try making music, no matter their background. The partnership between the school and the orchestra is helping students succeed and enjoy the arts in new ways.