Alongside the bright Spring weather, we’ve been warming up to a busy year at DCD, with plenty of activity taking place since our February newsletter.
During March we hosted workshops in London and Manchester. DCD’s Director of Coaching delivered a session in London at The Prince of Wales Theatre giving dancers practical tools to help them be courageous as they develop their careers. In Manchester we delivered the first in a new, nomadic series of support and advice sessions, delivered in partnership with One Dance UK. We are grateful to Cameron Mackintosh and Company Chameleon, respectively, who supported these events.
Last month we worked with our international partners to promote the IOTPD Philippe Braunschweig Grant for international dancers and are delighted that two dancers have successfully received awards. In partnership with One Dance UK, we have also been able to offer two dance scholarships on the Global Leaders Institute - Arts Innovation MBA.
We have just caught-up with dancers currently enrolled on our mentoring programme. We’re delighted that this year’s inspiring and diverse cohort represent a range of dance genres including ballet, Bharatanatyam, contemporary, hip hop and physical theatre.
Our ever-evolving work with our Partner Companies has included visits and workshops at Rambert and Northern Ballet; and our Education Programme has continued at Elmhurst Ballet School, English National Ballet School, Laine Theatre Arts, London Contemporary Dance School, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, The Royal Ballet School and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
We convey our congratulations to Paul James on his appointment as Chief Executive at Birmingham Royal Ballet. I had the privilege of watching The Royal Ballet’s Ballet to Broadway: Wheeldon Works and Northern Ballet’s Jane Eyre, as well as attending Dance City’s 40th Anniversary celebrations in Newcastle.
Following updates to the accessibility and transparency of our Retraining Grants application process, we look forward to receiving applications from dancers this month; excited, inspired and honoured to support dancers in their varied and remarkable career journeys. We are also recruiting volunteers to join DCD’s Grants Committee, so if you are interested in becoming a grants assessor – keep reading!
With warm regards
Vanessa Lefrancois, Executive Director |