Welcome to our May 2024 newsletter.

Highlights over the last couple of months include DCD’s Inspiration Event in Swindon, which included an inspiring line-up of Hip Hop artists sharing their stories, wisdom and dance skills. Last weekend, DCD staff joined Pantomime Dames, musical theatre performers and some of the nation’s favourite dance talent including Dame Arlene Phillips at Acting for Others’ West End Flea Market, to raise money for theatre workers in times of need.

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to, DCD Partner Company, Scottish Ballet’s brilliantly chilling and perfectly executed A Streetcar Named Desire; and I look forward to seeing the wonderful Northern Ballet’s critically acclaimed Romeo and Juliet as it starts its 2024 tour. 

As we unearth memorabilia and review data during our 50th Anniversary, we have calculated that DCD has awarded over 2,500 grants to dancers to retrain, averaging around 50 dancers per year. In the last year alone, we have helped former UK based dancers retrain in countries as widespread as India, USA, Australia and throughout Europe.

Next month we move on to Leeds for our next Inspiration Event, as part of our ongoing 50th Anniversary Programme.  For those unsure of what to expect from these events, please check out our Instagram page, where there are videos and photos from previous events.

DCD will be promoting several events and opportunities over the coming months, including deadlines to apply for retraining grants and mentoring programmes.

But for now, please 'save the date' – Monday 11 November 2024. DCD will be hosting an impactful and memorable day of conversations around career development for dancers, at Rich Mix, East London. This special Inspiration Event will be the pinnacle of our 50th Anniversary Programme and cater for both dance artists and those who work to support them.

Vanessa Lefrancois, Executive Director

DCD’s last Inspiration Event took place at Swindon Dance during the Jam Festival.

We were delighted to be joined by panellists Ola Papior (Founder of WE GROW 360), Theo Bailey (UK krumping pioneer), Jamaal O'Driscoll (breakin’ specialist) and Niquelle LaTouche (Head of Academy Breakin' Convention) hosted by Luke Lentes (Founder of The Capsule podcast); with performances & films by Silk Boogie (2019 BBC Young Dancer), Jamaal O’Driscoll, Bellatrix (world beatboxing champion), House of Absolute (collective of multidisciplinary artists) and DJ set by Francesca Miles (DCD SHIFT programme participant, 2022/23).

Skills for Living is a series of fun and creative online workshops. They introduce evidence-based tools and techniques to help us navigate various life challenges.

DCD’s Retraining Grants can help support dancers with the practical costs of transitioning into a new career, from course fees, equipment and materials to travel and child care costs.

Join DCD on tour for an inspirational line-up of performance & film sharings, and artists sharing stories about their careers in dance and beyond. For all dancers. Free to attend.

DCD offers low-cost, one-to-one Personal, Professional Development and Career Transition Coaching for dancers. Coaching has helped hundreds of dancers navigate their career progression. Sessions happen online and are led by DCD’s team of experienced coaches, who specialise in working with dancers.

“It felt like it opened a giant door into the next chapter of my life, which will have an impact for years to come.” Independent dancer on the value of DCD’s Coaching.

Please send us any feedback you have on our newsletter, so that we can make sure future editions are relevant, informative and interesting. Also, do keep in touch with us on social media, your support in sharing our posts with your network is hugely appreciated.

DCD is ambitious for dancers' futures.