A DANCE guru from a leading contemporary London ballet school has warned that proposed cuts to Swindon Dance funding could see the organisation go under.

Barry Ganberg, the head of musical and choreographic studies of the Rambert School Of Ballet And Contemporary Dance, has called for a full consultation before Swindon Council slashes the school’s budget.

The council has proposed cutting Swindon Dance’s funding by 75 per cent over the next three years.

“This great organisation is in danger of folding, said Mr Ganberg, who lives in Old Town.

“It looks like Swindon Council will just make a decision next month. It seems terribly, terribly unfair. My fear is this will be swept under the table without consultation.”

Mr Ganberg, who comes from New York, decided to settle in Swindon 25 years ago, because of the town’s vibrant dance movement.

He hails Swindon Dance founder Marie McCluskey as a visionary and said the town is lucky to have such a movement.

Swindon Dance has more than 21,000 members, with 8,791 adult users and 12,752 youngsters.

And 15,000 people also take part in the dance school’s youth and community projects.

Award-winning dancer Thomasin Gulgec also had early training in Swindon, according to Mr Ganberg.

“We should be very thankful that we have an organisation of national calibre in Swindon,” he said.

“We should be cherishing and supporting it.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to express themselves.

“It has helped generations of people to live a fuller life. That is priceless.”

Swindon-born dancer Martin Harvey, 31, formerly of the Royal Ballet and now the lead role in Dirty Dancing, added his support for Swindon Dance and disappointment at the proposed council funding cut.

Although he was not trained there himself he has heard of the school’s good reputation and believes it is one of the leading dance set ups in the country.

“I’m guessing that’s all connected with the credit crunch,” he said.

“I would say that’s very very bad news.

“It would be a real shame for them to go backwards.

“I’m a product of a system like that.

“Swindon Dance produces people like me and gave me the basis to build a life like this.

“There are hundreds and hundreds of kids in Swindon that won’t get the chance to do that.”

The proposed cuts will threaten the operation of Swindon Dance’s Town Hall venue especially with rising utility costs, according to the organisation.

Swindon Dance became an independent charitable trust in 2005 after 26 years of direct council funding.

The decision on the organisation’s future will be made at a full council meeting on Monday February 23.