DV8: To Be Straight With You - Preaching To The Converted?

After 4 years of thoughtful preparation, DV8 has been taking to the stage issues of tolerance/intolerance, sexuality, race and religion with their current tour 'To Be Straight With You'. DanceGround asks the question of whether Newson's aims of hoping for a more tolerable society are at all attainable in producing such a high standard of performance that is only shared within the theatre!  

Artistic Director Lloyd Newson is well recognised for the controversial subject matter that he chooses to go at when composing a performance In researching for the show, hundreds of interviews were carried out in order to get an accurate idea of the personal experiences that individuals had encountered as a result of their sexuality, particularly imposed upon them by their own racial and/or religious group.

Newson describes his motivation behind creating 'To Be Straight With You' as stemming from his own personal experience of aggression received during a gay pride march in Brixton in the early 1990s with his then partner, who was Indian. He talks of his own misunderstandings of how people can chastise sexual minority groups, when they themselves belong to a minority group on the basis of race. Newson uses the example of murder lyrics such as 'Boom bye bye Inna batty bwoy head ', used in songs which translates to a gun shot to a gay man's head to demonstrate this and the general consent to the use of murder music in today's society. There is also an expressed frustration towards the current trend towards the term 'schism'- a word used to describe the emerging division within the Anglican Church over the acceptance of homosexuality.

During the performance, all the dialogue echoes the exact words spoken during the interviews. Newson has criticised past contemporary dance productions for lacking purpose and meaning in relation to real life. The use of audio and speech gives an accurate portrayal of how being distinguished by sexuality has affected the lives of the interviewees. Combined with the use of skilful lighting technologies, good choice of sounds and grade A movement techniques the performance overall is quality. To Be Straight With You has considerable importance in reviving awareness of group prejudice and how this can have real effects on peoples lives through discriminative behaviours.

Lloyd Newson has been critical of dance in that it fails to address the real world. He has kept to his word in taking dance performance to a more purposeful level offering productiveness in real life terms rather than just for entertainment. However, it seems pretentious to ignore the lack of likely intolerance at the locations that DV8 performances are taking place. Is a theatre audience really a reliable reflection of the real world?

This is the major flaw to Newson's creative effort. The premise that DV8's audience members who have chosen to purchase a ticket for this performance are already tolerant and open-minded with such issues weakens Newson's hope of 'audiences becoming more aware of the lives of people hidden under the veneer of a liberal and supposedly tolerant society'. Does this mean that the actual significance of Newson's work can only at best be described as preaching to the converted?

During a recent pre-show discussion, DanceGround questioned Lloyd Newson as to whether DV8 make any effort to communicate their message of the need for a more tolerant society, to less tolerant members of the community. The answer was rather a diplomatic way of describing what a sensitive issue they are dealing with, and that it was difficult. An answer that can only leave the questioner to assume that the real answer to the question is 'we don't!'

DV8 Video To Be Straight With You

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2Faced Dance Company - The Show Must Go On! Featured Interviews with Tamsin Fitzgerald and Dancers

Despite this year's rejection by the Arts Council England for funding, artistic director Tamsin Fitzgerald in her attempt to fuse contemporary dance style with breaking techniques has been determind to continue to keep her dance company on its toes.

2Faced Dance Company is a growing all male dance group that combines ballet, street, bboy and contemporary dance styles. A popular gig at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, with noticeable improvement and development over time. This is essentially why they're an interesting collective to keep an eye on!

DanceGround caught up with Tamsin for a chat and a few of the dancers to find out what life is like at 2faced Dance.

2Faced Dance Company performing alongside Hofesh Shechter and Livewire at Watch This Space, Birmingham.

Tamsin Fitzgerald

Tamsin trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Since setting up 2FaCeD DaNcE in 1998 Tamsin has received a wealth of critical acclaim for her work including a Pick of the Fringe in 2005 and creating work for the highly acclaimed German entertainers the Caesar Twins which toured internationally and to the West End. In 2007 she received the prestigious Rayne Fellowship award for her choreography and has written a book for young people Hip-Hop and Urban Dance which is due to be published in September. In 2008 she has worked with Australian Dance Theatre, The Ballet Boyz and was commissioned to co-collaborate with Hofesh Shechter for the Birmingham International Dance Festival. Tamsin is currently working with West End Director Christopher Key on a new musical for Leaps and Bounds due to be premiered in October 2008.

  

How did 2Faced Dance Company originate and what has it grown into today?

2FaCeD DaNcE Company began from myself teaching a dance workshop in a local secondary school. There were a few boys in the group who I managed to keep by teaching them some very basic break dance moves. From there I set up regular breaking classes in Hereford which some of these lads attended. The group was initially 4 boys. Word soon started to spread and the group turned from one class into two classes. Then I decided to put on a performance at our local arts centre and I realised how much talent there was in Herefordshire so I decided to develop their skills further and set up a youth company for those who showed potential and commitment.

What inspired you to initially form an all male dance group?

The young men that I taught in Hereford showed so much natural talent and commitment. They were willing to take physical risks unlike some of the girls I taught. I find that the physicality, strength and power that male dancers have enables more scope for movement. Contrasting this with the softer and vulnerable side of a male dancer ends up as a really interesting combination. Also in Hereford there was absolutely no dance on offer for young men and I wanted to change this, to make a difference to the lives of young people through the arts and to change peoples perception of what it means for guys to dance.

Did you always intend to create your own dance company, or is it something that naturally progressed?

No it was kind of something that I fell into. I came back home to Hereford after training and the local Arts Centre had literally just opened so I started teaching a few sessions and that’s how it all began. I love it though as it has given me such a variety of projects to work on, from schools to the MTV Awards and I’m so proud of what has been achieved.

Funding is often an obstacle in performing arts, has this ever been an issue for you and 2faced?

Yes funding is a real problem for the company. Its more to do with finding the time to write the funding applications versus working/teaching. We currently receive some funding but it is on a project-to-project basis rather than all year round. This means that for a large percentage of my time earlier on I worked for nothing and had to work full time teaching on a ND in performing arts to sub the company. This doesn’t really get much easier either, as the more successful you are the more employees you have and therefore the more money you need. It is hard to get the right balance. You really need someone specific just to focus on the area of funding and sponsorship. Doing everything yourself will always leave you flailing in the long run.

2faced Dance company has a thriving resume. Why do you think this is?

I think this is down to 3 reasons. Firstly an all male company is very rare, most companies are mixed and therefore this aspect has attracted a lot of attention. The energy, talent and excellence that the company has produced over the last 10 years combined with the physicality of the dancers. This is emphasised by the fact that the company is producing urban work in a very rural area and this always seems to amuse people. The other reason is that sometimes we have been in the right place at the right time therefore meeting the right people. Although luck is part of it you need a lot of talent as well. Thirdly the company is able to work in a variety of settings from schools, to theatres and to corporate events. This makes us diverse, accessible to young people and artistically approved of.

2faced Dance integrates Street and Contemporary Dance. When a young dancer auditions, do you look for someone that has already mastered this combination?

Not necessarily. When I look for young dancers for our youth company I am looking for those who show potential. They may have no technique in either style but shine when it comes to performing. It is about finding young people with drive and ambition a willingness to learn and succeed. I think that young people are often not given enough credit for their talent and commitment.

What do you enjoy most about being an artistic director?

I love being able to see a project take shape in its early days and then see how it develops over time. The diverse nature of places we work in is exciting but also demanding and this gives me the opportunity to try new things. In this job it is never boring. There is always a challenge or a risk to take. I love being able to create my own work and then see it transformed onto the stage. I have never forgotten the roots of the company and that still plays a very big part in what the company does. It is my company (my baby) and I can therefore do almost anything I want to do which is a real luxury. There are of course negatives to this and the stress and pressure can sometimes be overwhelming but most of the time its always worth it.

When working with Hofesh Shechter, have you come across any similarities and/or differences in your approaches to dance?

I think our similarities are in the type of movements we use. Both of us use a lot of movement that is grounded into the floor. A lot of similar footwork steps that even have the same name but are just performed slightly differently. Both companies also have a lot of movement that is high energy and physical and we have been compared to each other before. I also think that both of us want to break the mould and although we go around things differently our drive is the same. Our differences are that we are at different stages of our careers and therefore we both have different barriers to face. Hofesh’s work contains a lot more unison sections than mine does. I have more virtuosic sections and I like the diversity of my dancers to be shown. I think that during Watch This Space we both learnt a lot from each other and the way in which we work.

Are there any other dance groups and/or choreographers that you would like to collaborate with in the future?

I would love to work with Russell Maliphant as his work is so pure and he is a true master of what he produces. I would also like to create work with some international choreographers as their processes and approaches are very different.

What would you say to dancers wishing to follow in your footsteps?

Believe in yourself and your own ideas. It may take a while but don’t give up always strive for more. Positivity breeds content!

Ali Temple 

Dance History: Started off as a Breakdancing Acrobat as well as Martial Arts. After a spell as an acrobatic character in a contemporary circus I was looking for a new challenge when it was suggested to me that I go to an audition for a contemporary dance company that was incorporating Martial Arts in their choreography, I went, and so it was.

After a few dance contracts in Scotland I then moved to London in search of more inspiring challenging work.

How long have you been a member of 2faced Dance?

Since December 07

What is it about 2faced that made you want to join the company?

I seen them perform at the Edinburgh Festival in August 2007, right after the show I went back stage and asked for a job.

There a long list of reasons why I wanted to be in the company. Primarily for me was their hyped energy that they had on stage. As well as this I respected their willingess to explore contemporary dance while still staying true to their Breakdancing. Many dancers, Breakers and Contemporary alike classify themselves into a box and are therefore often unwilling or unable to diversify. Finally the physicality of the choreography and the individual talents of the cast made me realise that this was the company I needed to be in.

What's the atmosphere like at 2faced on a day to day basis?

It varies hugely, depending on where we are and what we’re doing. You’d think that as an all male company there would be less drama than if there were females….you’d be wrong! Any drama that does occur though I’d put down to people caring so much and the fact that we are a passionate group of individuals. As a result the atmosphere is generally loud, energetic and hyped. But there is also an extremely caring and supportive back bone to the group, and although our favourtie pass time is abusing each other, we always look out for each other. This is probably the biggest reason I stay in the company even when offered other work.

How did you hear about the company, and how did you get into 2faced Dance?

After seeing them at the Edinburgh Festival I went back stage and asked for a job, a few months later Tamsin called and I was in! Sweet!

How old were you when you took your first dance lesson and what style of dance was it?

I think I was around 19/20 and it was my friend and I trying to teach ourselves breakdancing off the internet. Aside from that I never went to any classes. I've always found teaching myself more fun.

How much time do you spend training and preparing for performances?

As an individual I train around 6 days a week, normally twice a day. I go to the gym and do conditioning and stretching for around 2 hours, then i'll train again at night for another 2-3 hours and this can vary from dancing, gymnastics or martial arts. And now the weather is getting nicer i'll sometimes train in the park after the gym and work on my tan!

As a company our rehearsal period can vary. I think no matter how much time you have rehearsing for any show…you’d always like another day wouldn’t you!

What has been your favourite performance by 2faced and why?

For me personally I think the performances for “Watch this Space” in the International Dance Festival Birmingham, have been my favourite so far. The outdoor setting with multiple stages and scaffolding made me feel like I was back in the circus again and allowed me to use more of my acrobatics and free-running. Having this freedom of movement in a performance really makes me happy and that i'm fulfilling my potential.

Recently we have performed, “State of Matter” at the Hay Festival. This was a great performance and we had a huge amount of energy on stage and it was also one of the guys last shows with the company so everyone was giving it the beans!

Are there any other activities you do outside of the dance studio to keep up your fitness?

As I mentioned I regularly condition, with weights as well as simply body weight exercises. I also go to gymnastics at least 3 times a week and try to do Martial Arts 2-3 times a week also. Recently I have been out free-running a lot which I also love. I think the extra activities I do is the key to keeping me motivated as well as making me strong in other ways that dancing doesn’t.

Are there any other activities that you do outside of dance?!

As above

Are there any foods you eat to benefit your lifestyle as a dancer?

I try to ensure that I have enough calories to keep me going, not just on a daily basis but throughout a whole rehearsal or tour period. But also the right kind of fuel that will give me sustained energy rather than bursts. As well as this I try to take a protein suppliment, not for any weight gain but to ensure my muscles are recovering as much as possible from the repeated training.

I also try to ensure that i'm getting a good volume and variety of fruit and veg. When you are training all the time it's easy to get run down so this helps me stay healthy. At the end of the day you wouldn’t buy a Ferrari and put diesel in it would you? Lol

I also make sure I eat enough chocolate to keep me happy…otherwise whats the point!

Who would you rate as your top dance group and why?

I have a few favourites. I recently seen Nederlands Dans Theatre who were stunning to watch. A German based contemporary hip hop company called Rumble are also great.

Even though it's circus, Cirque Dul Soleil are my favourite company. I hear a lot of negativity about the commercialism of them, and how they push people too far, but when you see a live show, you know you're watching perfection.

Who is your favourite choreographer and why?

I don’t actually have one!...myself!

What was it like working with Hofesh Shechter for Watch This Space?

It was both educational and enjoyable. Probably the No. 1 thing for me was his communication and how clearly he would articulate how he wanted you to deliver the choreography. As a dancer it's so much easier to deliver what you are capible of when you know what your task is.

For me the most important thing from working with a big company like Hofesh Schecter and his great dancers, was the experience of seeing what they were capable of. They were hugely article and capable contemporary dancers, but on the whole that’s where their physicality stays. Put next to the 2Faced guys that also break and do acrobatics I think our diversity as well as passion put us a step above the rest.

In my opinion the rest of the dance scene is in trouble!

What plans do you have for your future in dance?

Establish myself as the most diverse performer in the industry. Start my own company and dwarf the rest with the creativity and originality of the work we’ll produce!

Do you any have contact details that you would like us to take for DanceGround readers to check out?

www.myspace.com/flyboyflip

Ali Temple

Peace and Love

Ali

Nathan French

Dance History: I Started in 2002 in breakdance, then took GCSE Dance in year 10 and received a grade B. Auditioned for 2FaCeD and have been performing and teaching for 5 years. Performances include: MTV Awards Lisbon, Medium Rare, The reindeer, The Swan and at all three Edinburgh Festival Fringe performances in 04, 05 and 07. I am now the current Education Officer for 2FaCeD DaNcE Company and teach regularly across the country.

How long have you been a member of 2faced Dance?

6 Years

What is it about 2faced that made you want to join the company?

When I joined 2faced I thought it was a cool thing to do and it was just a hobby. As the company progressed it opened up amazing opportunities for me to perform break.

What's the atmosphere like at 2faced on a day to day basis?

The Atmosphere within the company varies but I would say that it's relaxed with a few stress days thrown in.

How did you hear about the company, and how get into 2faced Dance?

I came to classes at the Courtyard, after about one year Tamsin auditioned for a youth boys company for 2faced which I made through.

How old were you when you took your first dance lesson and what style of dance was it?

14 - Breakdance

How much time do you spend training and preparing for performances?

I train about 3 – 4 hours a day.

What has been your favourite performance by 2faced and why?

The MTV Europe Music Awards – As I was 15 and was just such an incredible experience.

Are there any other activities you do outside of the dance studio to keep up your fitness?

Basketball, Gymnastics, a bit of parkour.

Are there any other activities that you do outside of dance?!

Basketball, Gymnastics a bit of parkour, socialising.

Are there any foods you eat to benefit your lifestyle as a dancer?

Bananas, Hob Nobs.

Who would you rate as your top dance group and why?

Expressions crew from Korea has had a big influence in my dance career bringing a fresh style and new moves to breaking.

What was it like working with Hofesh Shechter for Watch This Space?

It was interesting working with a different choreographer, I suited his style of movement and enjoyed the 2weeks working with him, he is quite a joker and some things that were said in the studio could have been left out.

What plans do you have for your future in dance?

We are about to embark on our Autumn tour covering dates throughout the UK. Then to stay with 2FaCeD for a few more years.

Adam Rutherford 

Dance History: Varied techniques ranging from ballet to breakdance. BA (Hons) Dance Theatre (Laban), Graduate Diploma (Transitions Dance Company), Full Force Dance Company, Matthew Bourne’s ‘Swan Lake’ (New Adventures), Howard Productions (Cruiseships), 2Faced Dance Company, DanSense – Enrique Cabrera (Aracaladanza).

How long have you been a member of 2faced Dance?

8 Months

What is it about 2faced that made you want to join the company?

The unique fusion of different dance techniques.

What's the atmosphere like at 2faced on a day to day basis?

Overall – relaxed and fun.

How did you hear about the company, and how did you get into 2faced Dance?

Audition notice on Article19’s website and auditioned.

How old were you when you took your first dance lesson and what style of dance was it?

16 years of age - contemporary

How much time do you spend training and preparing for performances?

Varies – dependent on the scale of performance.

What has been your favourite performance by 2faced and why?

State Of Matter – Tamsin’s choreography

Are there any other activities you do outside of the dance studio to keep up your fitness?

Workouts

Are there any other activities that you do outside of dance?!

Reading, gymnastics (recently started) and socialising.

Are there any foods you eat to benefit your lifestyle as a dancer?

Banana’s!!!

Who would you rate as your top dance group and why?

Rambert – because of the flawless dancers and the ability the company has to reinvent itself time and time again.

Who is your favourite choreographer and why?

Lloyd Newson– he has the ability to highlight awareness of current life issues through physical theatre. And his work has a strong psychological element.

What was it like working with Hofesh Shechter for Watch This Space?

Interesting

What plans do you have for your future in dance?

Perform for as long as physically possible and then move in to other areas of the dance world – choreographing, teaching, directing, lecturing etc.

Do you have any contact details that you would like us to take for DanceGround readers to check out?

Dancers Pro website

Dan Lowenstein

Dance History: Started bboying, then moved onto more classical forms ie contemporary and ballet.

How long have you been a member of 2faced Dance?

4yrs

What is it about 2faced that made you want to join the company?

The fact that they fuse together contemporary and breaking… very interesting mixture, and works really well together (if you can do it)

What's the atmosphere like at 2faced on a day to day basis?

JOKES

How did you hear about the company, and how did you get into 2faced Dance?

I started classes in Hereford and then auditioned for the company.

How old were you when you took your first dance lesson and what style of dance was it?

14yrs Breaking

How much time do you spend training and preparing for performances?

Before a performance we rehearse everyday for approx 8 to 10 hours… I train everyday because I need to grow in fitness and stamina, as well as ability. I train in the gym and the studio.

What has been your favourite performance by 2faced and why?

Either the MTV awards in Lisbon, just because it was the MTV awards. “Watch this space”comes quite high up the list, was nice to work with Hofesh’s company and I love performing site specific work!

Are there any other activities you do outside of the dance studio to keep up your fitness?

Gym work, weights and CV. I used to run, but to be honest its boring!

Are there any other activities that you do outside of dance?!

I play the occasional game of cricket, just because its funny! And play some tennis.

Are there any foods you eat to benefit your lifestyle as a dancer?

A lot of carbs and energy food! I eat a lot of salad, and vegetables and take vitamins on a daily basis… Gota stay Healthy.

Who would you rate as your top dance group and why?

My favourite breaking crew would have to be TOP 9 from Russia and Pokemon from France, very innovative and doing a lot for the bboy world…

What was it like working with Hofesh Shechter for Watch This Space?

Good experience, was nice to learn a different style of movement! I like the way his movement is very animalistic. I thought it was a nice contrast of styles. 2FaCeD style is very open and performance orientated, where as the hofesh style felt quite closed and inward.

What plans do you have for your future in dance?

To train harder… And stay happy, and never to lose the passion!

Do you have any contact details that you would like us to take for DanceGround readers to check out?

My email dan@2faceddance.co.uk

To find out more got to 2facedDance.org.uk

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Top Youth Dance Companies UK - Information & Interviews

DanceGround wanted to find out the best of the bunch, so chased up a few of those selected to perform at last year's National Youth Dance Festival.

Those interviewed unclude JNR Sinstars, Tiffin, ACE, Shepshed, Full Tilt, HYDC & Noco, Shift and Devon Youth Dance.

JNR Sinstars

Mission Statement:

The JNR Sinstars are the youth dance company of the much larger HipHop organisation, SIN Cru.

SIN Cru stands for strength in numbers, an organisation working within the creative industries. Uniquely launched in the mid 90’s as a hiphop organisation, from within the single cultural identity, we continue to work across the board in visual arts, dance and music.

Our aims are to pursue the progression of hiphop as a solid, positive and creative culture.

Our objectives are to provide education and through communication, to prevent the exploitation of hiphop as a cultural movement.

SIN Cru have developed structured education plans and run a variety of community projects and create professional works and opportunities by exploring hiphop cultures’ various artforms in a safe and supportive environment.

We provide a service, lobby a cause. 360*.

We will make the world fit us rather than dilute to fit the world!

Location:

Cambridge

Dance Style/s:

bBoyin’

Age Group:

Through SIN Cru we work with dancers from the age of 3yrs up to and including, professional artists. The JNR Sinstars are currently 12 – 14yrs old

Company Size:

There are currently x3 JNRs and x1 guest dancer is working with them on this project.

Practice Regime:

The JNRs have x1 Company class each week, they help teach the Beginners weekly sessions, they participate in a weekly technique class as well as a Body Conditioning class and x1 weekly personal training session.

 

Dance History:

The JNR Sinstars are currently rated as the top youth bBoy crew in the country and have represented on an international level. They remain undefeated in all youth battles and have finalised in many adult competitions. Their dizzy heights include reaching the finals of the UK bBoy Championships UK Qualifiers, 2007 and battling at Circle Kingz, Switzerland.

The JNR Sinstars have a wide range of experience of working in the Theatre and Television with credits including the Edinburgh Festival, Sadlers Wells, Top Of The Pops and MTV…

Performers:

Curious George (JNR Sinstar since 2006)

Mar-Shki (JNR Sinstar since 2006)

RascElle (JNR Sinstar since 1999)

Soopa Noodle (guest dancer, will be auditioning for the JNRs this summer)

SinCru.co.uk 

Boys@Tiffin Dance

Mission Statement: 'SHARING CREATIVITY AND PASSION FOR DANCE'

Location:  KINGSTON

Dance Style/s: CONTEMPORARY
Age Group: 13-16

Company Size: 15

Practice Regime: ONCE A WEEK

Entry Requirements: CREATIVITY PHYSICAL ABILITY

Experience and/or Qualifications Offered: VARIOUS PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

Dance History: KINGSTON YOUTH DANCE FESTIVAL, PADDINGTON YOUTH DANCE FESTIVAL

COOMBE BOYS DANCE PROJECT,TOLWORTH GIRLS DANCE PROJECT

LABAN BOYS DANCE FESTIVAL

Performers: Joe Latimer, Thom Latimer, Richard Smeaton, Arran Mornin, Chae Young Chang, Jae Won Jang, Taha Ghauri, Pradeep Weerasuriya, Bapi Indrakumaran, Alex Pollard, Charlie Harrison, Ed Fiquiredo.

Can you tell us a bit about the philosophy behind your final performance for the NYDF, its style and music?

THE PIECE IS BASED ON TRADITIONAL INDIAN RHYTHMS AND ELEMENTS OF TRADITIONAL INDIAN DANCE

How does your dance group come up with ideas and choreography?

THROUGH IMPROVISATION PROCESS

What do you believe are the strengths of your dance group that lead to you being selected out of the 122 dance companies that auditioned?

UNIQUE MOVEMENT MATERIAL, ORIGINALITY AND LIVE MUSIC

How can young people who are interested in dance go about getting involved in a dance group such as your own?

FIND LOCAL YOUTH DANCE COMPANY AND GET INVOLVED

What do you look for in a dancer hoping to join your dance company?

CREATIVITY, DISCIPLINE AND PASSION FOR DANCE AND PERFORMANCE

How does your dance company support young dancers who would like to go on and make a living out of dance?

WE ARE IN TOUCH WITH CENTRE OF ADVANCE TRAINING AT THE LABAN CENTRE

LOTS OF PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

How can DanceGround Readers find out more about Boys@Tiffin Dance?

GO TO WWW.TIFFIN.KINGSTON.SCH.UK AND CLICK ON WIDER OPPORTUNITIES AND THEN DANCE

ACE Youth Dance

Mission Statement: Trained under the artistic eye of Gail Parmel and ACE dance and music to champion the development of culturally diverse dance and performance for young people.

Location: Birmingham, West Midlands

Dance Style/s: Energetic contemporary dance with African and Caribbean movement style

Age Group: 9 - 18

Company Size: 13 members

Practice Regime: They meet every week for 3 hours

Entry Requirements: None

Experience and/or Qualifications Offered: Performance and training opportunities

Dance History: ACE Youth is the youth section of ACE Dance and Music. Formed in 1998 they're a group of talented young people from in and around the Birmingham area, all between 9 and 18 years old.

So far this year:

ACE Youth Performances

Youth Moves, 20th March

Hawthorn’s Banqueting Suite nr. West Bromwich Albion, Saturday 29th March

Edgbaston High, Saturday 3rd May

Town Hall, Birmingham, Sunday 4th May

ArtsFest [13th-14th September]

Elmhurst School for Dance, Edgbaston, Saturday 22nd November.

Performers:

Caprene Bartley, Jamaal Burkmar, Mahalia Burkmar, Zane Burkmar, Azizi Cole, Xhosa Cole, Jameela Green, Oliver Johns, Darnisha O’Bryant, Gemma Pilgrim-Greaves, Chris Radford, Sasha Stanley-Gaussen, Cherelle Walters.

Can you tell us a bit about the philosophy behind your final performance for the NYDF, its style and music?

UBUNTU BAM (My Humanity)

The inspiration of the piece came from personal experiences. I tried mixing tradition and modernity. In Southern Africa we have a massive diversity within our society and cultures, but one major thing that brings our art together is RHYTHM. Even though we now live in an influenced society, where by you see more western ways of living, we still find ourselves through events such as; Feasts, marriages, initiations and gatherings. In these you find people ululating, clapping, stamping feet, etc.

The piece is entitled 'UBUNTU BAM' meaning My Humanity.

How does your dance group come up with ideas and choreography?

We are given tasks from the choreographers. We have sessions where we just chat about a topic of our choice and we look at the different angles there are to it. We will then work on tasks around with what we spoke about. We research behind the topic that we'll dance about. We share our own ideas and input to the choreographer.

What do you believe are the strengths of your dance group that lead to you being selected out of the 122 dance companies that auditioned?

Hard work. Working together as a family unit. Dedication, commitment, enthusiasm and lots of energy.

How can young people who are interested in dance go about getting involved in a dance group such as your own?

Come and watch them rehearse. You can never get involved until you have given something a 100% try. Come along to a class/session and have a go. You never know you might enjoy it.

What do you look for in a dancer hoping to join your dance company?

Enthusiasm, commitment and a willingness to learn.

How does your dance company support young dancers who would like to go on and make a living out of dance?

We encourage ACE Youth members to go off and study further. Whilst with ACE Youth we offer support and advice on running a dance company from office admin staff, marketing, web design, set design, technician, finance officer, education manager, touring dancer and education deliverer. These are just a mentioned few. We open our doors to those that have recently graduated for apprentice positions.

Two of the younger ACE Youth members got through to the final Lion King auditions for the west end show. Three other members of ACE Youth are currently studying with the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. One member has graduated from the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and is now an apprentice with ACE dance and music professional company.

What future projects do you have on the agenda following your performance at the Peacock theatre?

Performing at Artsfest, Birmingham; ACE Youth Sharing. Participating at Big Dance day. Choreographing a new piece.

Would you like to recommend any other dance groups that you think are worth checking out?

2 faced Youth, Reflex Youth and Flexus.

How can DanceGround Readers find out more about 'ACE Youth Dance'?

www.acedanceandmusic.com on the professional company website under ACE Youth.

Shepshed Youth Dance

Mission Statement:

Shepshed Youth Dance is 24 years old this year and the clubs promote dance for young students 14-16 years of age throughout the local community. Each year SYD performs its own piece of work to audiences at the local theatre using a wide variety of dance styles and genres. We also organise trips to London, York and Newcastle on a regular basis where we perform and watch theatre performances. The group organise their own club and have their own committee. We pride ourselves at being a true 'community youth group'.

Location:

Hind Leys College, Shepshed, Leicestershire www.hindleystheatre.net

Dance Style/s:

Contemporary, Physical Theatre, Stage & Mixed Styles

Age Group:

14 – 18 years

Company Size:

30 – (10 only for this performance)

Practice Regime:

Thursday, 2hrs

Entry Requirements:

Audition

Experience and/or Qualifications Offered:

Experience of dancing in different venues around the country, residential workshops and trips, two theatre performances a year – this experience can lead to dance in further education. Choreographic training / experience given with young students.

Dance History:

Yearly performances at local theatre.

Performers:

Chris Brown: Studying dance at Hind Leys College, Shepshed. Received a place at London Contemporary Dance School – very excited about his future!

Becca Harrison: Studying Performing Arts at King Edward College, Coalville. Loves being with people, and can't wait to carry on with PA!

Jonny Painting: Studying music at Loughborough College. Been a member of SYD since he was 10!

Lizzie Pincombe: Studying PE at Loughborough College but loves to come back to Shepshed to dance with the group each week.

Dani Draycott: Studying Dance A-Level at Hind Leys College and wants to continue with this in the future.

Chloe Smith: has a great passion for dance and art and hopes to go to art college in the future. Currently studying at Hind Leys College.

Matt Canny: Performing Arts student who primarily wants to act but loves dancing with as much energy as possible!

Emma Harrison: Studying GCSE Dance at Hind Leys at present, Dance A-Level next year. Ambition to be a full time dancer. Loves all styles and will try anything!

Madison Moscrop: Studying GCSE Dance at Hind Leys at present, hoping to do Dance A-Level next year. Loves hip-hop and being part of SYD.

Jamie Moore: Studying Dance at Hind Leys and hoping to study Dance at Chester University in 2008. Only been dancing for four years but loves it!!

Can you tell us a bit about the philosophy behind your final performance for the NYDF, its style and music?

'Remorse and Retribution' came about after a discussion with the students about 'youth culture' and the terrible incident regarding the shooting of Rhys Jones in Liverpool.

The dance is based on two sets of young people coming together in a climate where society is very vulnarable and violence towards others is commonplace. However, when an incident occurs the results are devastating. Anger, guilt, then remorse and regret follow. If there was a chance to start again, would society behave differently? At the end of the piece, the dance 'rewinds' to show the second chance.

The style of the piece mixes physical theatre with contemporary dance and the metal structure enhances the visual aspect of 'kids on the street'.

How does your dance group come up with ideas and choreography?

Discuss topics with the group - Very much a club decision – this present dance from “teenage society”

What do you believe are the strengths of your dance group that lead to you being selected out of the 122 dance companies that auditioned?

Originality, creativity and a commitment to dance using many different styles.

How can young people who are interested in dance go about getting involved in a dance group such as your own?

Come and watch our shows – once a year in the summer and see if the style suits you – contact us on the website www.shepshedyouthdance.org.uk

What do you look for in a dancer hoping to join your dance company?

Enthusiasm, commitment, being part of a team, willingness to try anything in dance!

How does your dance company support young dancers who would like to go on and make a living out of dance?

Support with references, information about further schools, contact with other practitioners, visiting stage schools, help with auditions.

Chris Brown, one of dancers in this group has aplace at London Contemporary Dance School in Sept 2008. At present we have many ex-members od SYD at dancing school and/or training to be dance teachers:-

Adam Lee – Urdang School, London

Dale Collington – Bird Academy, London

Ben Stevens - LIPA

Kim Carter – Chester University Degree in Dance Choreography

Jamie Moore – (current member) Chester University Degree in Dance Choreography (2008)

Rebecca Harrison – (current member) Roehampton / Middlesex Performing Arts Degree (2008)

What future projects do you have on the agenda following your performance at the Peacock theatre?

SYD is 25 Years old next year and we are hoping to celebrate ¼ century of SYD by involving as many past and present members as possible!

How can DanceGround Readers find out more about Shepshed Youth Dance ?

www.shepshedyouthdance.org.uk A new, but rapidly expanding website!

Full Tilt 

Location: Norfolk Dance, The Garage, Norwich

Dance Style/s: Contemporary

Age Group: 14-25 years

Company Size: 13 members

Practice Regime: Meets once a week for two hours

Entry Requirements: Application and Audition

Dance History: The group have been in existence for over 6 years. During this time they have performed across the eastern region. The current members have been working together since September 2007.

Performers: Imke Potgieter, April Sawyer, Zabrina Ford, Douglas Curtis, Glynnis Masuku-Zinhumwe, Jessica Mcgee, Laura Postlethwaite, James Nicholds, Judith Wilkinson, Maxine Fields, Becky Taitt, Maddy Sutherland, Catherine Sutherland.

Can you tell us a bit about the philosophy behind your final performance for the NYDF, its style and music?

The piece we will be performing in London is based on the life and work of the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The way in which we make our dances is a collaborative process between the dancers. What you see will have had input from everyone. Some of the music we use has a very Mexican flavour; other pieces are more atmospheric helping us to convey an emotion or mood.

How does your dance group come up with ideas and choreography?

It can be a combination of creative tasks given to create dance material, or improvisation or taught material.

What do you believe are the strengths of your dance group that lead to you being selected out of the 122 dance companies that auditioned?

They have a real integrity in what they do and a mature approach to making work. They also have strong creative skills.

How can young people who are interested in dance go about getting involved in a dance group such as your own?

Find out if there is a local youth dance company. Ours is part of Norfolk Dance which is the dance development agency for Norfolk. Contacting your local dance agency is a good start. 

What do you look for in a dancer hoping to join your dance company?

Presence. I like to see the individual. It’s not about great technique, it’s about having the right attitude.

How does your dance company support young dancers who would like to go on and make a living out of dance?

We can offer them professional advice and information on where to go for training. We also provide a good grounding in technique and an understanding of the nature of working in a professional company. We have had many members of Full Tilt go on to train at a professional level.

What future projects do you have on the agenda following your performance at the Peacock theatre?

We will be holding our next audition on the 26th July followed by a summer school for successful members. Over the next year there will be more performance opportunities, visits to see work and an exchange with another Youth Dance Company!

How can DanceGround Readers find out more about Full Tilt?

For More information on Full Tilt and Norfolk Dance go to: www.norfolkdance.co.uk

Hampshire Youth Dance Company (HYDC)

Location: The Point, Eastleigh, Hampshire

Dance Style/s: Contemporary

Age Group: 14-21 years

Company Size: 20

Practice Regime: 30 x weekly rehearsals, and 2 x 4-day intensive choreographic commissions with professional choreographers in October and February half-terms, plus performances at approximately 8-10 youth dance platform events across the region.

Entry Requirements: Acceptance through auditions held every July.

Experience and/or Qualifications Offered: 1 year’s place as a company member. This year HYDC are also looking for young people who are able to commit to the company for 2 years to include a summer project in 2009. HYDC is one of the leading county youth dance companies and the Resident Youth Dance Company for The Point.

Dance History:

Performance History 2008

Hampshire Schools Dance Festival – Wed 6th February

Cutting Through, Youth Dance England – Sat 23rd February

Bedales Dance Platform, Hampshire – Sun 2nd March

Dance for Life , Red Cross Event – Sat 26th April

Jonathon Lunn Reading Rooms Project, at The Point in Eastleigh – Fri 27th and Sat 28th June

Performers:

Alex Rangecroft

My interest in dance began during my intensive gymnastics training where I gained physical training and the experience of competing in many countries. My dance training began with Ballet classes, leading to an interest in contemporary. I now have a BTEC and A-level in dance and will be continuing my training at Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

Sarah Childs

I began my dance training at the age of 4 taking Ballet, Tap, modern, Jazz and contemporary. In the last year I have had many exciting performance opportunities, I was selected to dance with the English youth Ballet Company and have performed at various platforms across the south with Hampshire youth Dance Company.

Jenny Howells

I joined HYDC in 2006 and have enjoyed participating in the commissions. Alongside HYDC I also dance with Feet First Dance Company. And experienced a range of styles including Irish, tap, Ballet and Ballroom. I have a GCSE and an A-level in dance and now take advanced classes in Ballet, contemporary, modern and jazz. I shall be continuing my training at The University of Chichester.

Laura Jane Simpson

My dance training began when I was 6 training at Sandra’s Dance Studio and Yasmin Taylor’s academy of Ballet, Tap and Modern. I joined HYDC in 2006 and have enjoyed learning contemporary dance. I recently performed with English Youth Ballet Company and have successfully auditioned for Laines, Birds and London Studios.

Ben Pomeroy

I am proud to say that I have been in HYDC for 3 years and am the longest running member of the company! I also receive training at The Place on the C A T scheme and, after successfully auditioning at Laines, Birds and Arts Ed, have decided to attend Bird’s College of Dance, Music and Theatre Performance in September 2008.

Melissa Brunsdon

I have been in HYDC for 1 year and have enjoyed the experience of working with professional choreographers and gaining performance experience. I also have been learning Ballet, Modern and Jazz since I was 3 years old. I am currently studying GCSE dance at school.

Brittany Du-Crow

I have danced from the age of 2 taking Ballet and Tap classes. Since then I have also been learning Modern and contemporary dance technique and have studied dance at GCSE and AS-level at school. I still take Ballet, modern and contemporary classes, and have been in HYDC for 2 years now and have really loved it!

Lucie Howells

I have danced since I was 4 years old and have achieved a grade 7 in Ballet, Gold in Jazz and intermediate in Modern. I have a GCSE in Dance and am currently studying A-level dance. I have been in HYDC for 2 years and was awarded a scholarship at The Point Theatre in Eastleigh; this scheme helps me to gain as much dance experience as possible supporting my aspirations for a future in dance.

Chloe Lloyd

I have been a member of HYDC for the last 2 years; this has run alongside my A2 level dance course at college. I would now like to develop my interest in circus moving into Circus and contemporary performance training with the hope of future training at University and eventually a career in the performing arts world.

Rebecca Elkin

I have been dancing since I was 3 and have been in HYDC for the last 2 years, I was also a Checchetti associate for Classical Ballet in London for 4 years and won Ballets competitions held in the south. I have studied GCSE dance and presently take modern and contemporary classes.

Rachel Brown

From a young age I have been interested in dance and, since studying at Thordon Secondary School where I was inspired by the dance teachers, have participated in as many dance experiences as I could including taking my GCSE in dance where I achieved full marks. I have been dancing with HYDC for a year and have loved having the chance to challenge and extend my skills.

Vicky Paynter

I began dancing at a young age and enjoy a range of different dance styles. I attend weekly classes studying classical ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop and contemporary dance. Being a member of HYDC has given me the opportunity to perform at different venues and take part in workshops that have developed my dance technique both as a solo dancer and as part of a group.

Ben Apsey

I have danced since the age of 7 at the Jane Mackinnon School of Dance in Southampton, attending classes in Tap, Modern and Ballet. I have enjoyed being part of Hampshire Youth Dance Company this year and all the new experiences it has delivered. I hope you enjoy the show.

Sophie Holt

I started dancing at age 9 at my local dance school, On Your Toes, based in Basingstoke. I fell in love with dance and at 14 I decided to audition for HYDC. It has been so rewarding and i love it! I have made the best of friends through dance and it has really helped my confidence. I enjoy anything to do with performance! I really enjoy musical performance as well as dance and drama. HYDC has opened up some great oppurtunitys for me including Youth Dance England. I really hope to take dance on as a career!

Kelly Maskell

I joined HYDC this year and have been enjoying the performance opportunities offered by the company. I am also a member of Feet First dance company and attend a stage school where I experience a variety of dance and performance styles. I have participated in several dance festivals and school musicals as well as dancing in GCSE dance choreographies.

Luke Jackson

I began my dance training 11 years ago developing my Ballet, Jazz and tap technique. Aswell as being a member of HYDC I have also been dancing with Fuzzy Logic for 4 years. I have achieved top grades in GCSE, AS, A2 and BTEC dance. Recently I successfully auditioned for Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, and The Place; I plan to continue my training at one of these schools in September.

Can you tell us a bit about the philosophy behind your final performance for the NYDF, its style and music?

Our work really varies according to the choreographer that we work with to make each piece of repertoire. Sometimes these have had Asian, or African influences, but always mixed with a strong contemporary technique.
The piece emerged through improvised explorations around the behaviour, atmosphere and relationships of communities awaiting disaster. We wanted the performers to engage with the emotive drive of the work and also use this to inspire their choreogaphic input and the their performance of it.

The beginning of the music creates intrigue, complimenting the tension and suspense generated through the group's stillness and focus. As the dance grows in energy and physicality the music also progresses toward a dynamic surge.

How does your dance group come up with ideas and choreography?

Sometimes the choreographer will set us creative tasks based on an image, a memory or a piece of text, and other times we work very abstractly. Carrie Whitaker, our rehearsal director works hard at helping us to develop our own unique style of movement.

What do you believe are the strengths of your dance group that lead to you being selected out of the 122 dance companies that auditioned?

HYDC has a strong commitment to technique and creativity. The membership of the group remains the same for a full year, allowing them time to grow as a company and enabling to develop their own individual style.

How can young people who are interested in dance go about getting involved in a dance group such as your own?

If people are interested in knowing more about the company they can come and watch them at one of their performances, or they can ask to come and observe the company during a rehearsal. More information about when the company are performing can be found out be calling the Hampshire Dance office on 0238 0652712. Young people who are over 13 years of age on the 1st September and are interested in joining should call the office to request an application form, or download one from the website. www.hampshiredance.org.uk

What do you look for in a dancer hoping to join your dance company?

We are looking for energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. All the members must be committed to the company for a year. People interested in joining the company must first send in an Application Form. Selected candidates are then invited to audition.

How does your dance company support young dancers who would like to go on and make a living out of dance?

The company members are given a good grounding in all aspects of becoming a dancer including developing a strong dance technique, nurturing their performance skills and working with different choreographers and teachers. They also have the opportunity to develop their own creative and choreographic skills, and are also invited to become members of the Youth Committee which helps to guide the company and is intended to enable the young people to have a say in the way the company is run.

HYDC have worked with a range of exciting choreographers during the past 11 years including Keira Martin, Adele Thompson, Detta Howe, Aletta Collins, Colin Poole and Vidya Thiruranayan.

What future projects do you have on the agenda following your performance at the Peacock theatre?

In the week following NYDF the majority of the company members will be re-auditioning for HYDC. Some of the older members will be leaving to start vocational training at centres like Laban and London Contemporary Dance School.

Would you like to recommend any other dance groups that you think are worth checking out?

Check out NoCo, Hampshire Dance’s Youth Hip Hop Company.

How can DanceGround Readers find out more about HYDC?

By logging onto the Hampshire Dance website www.hampshiredance.org.uk and following the links for ‘Youth Dance’.

NOCO

Location: The Vyne School, Basingstoke

Dance Style/s: Hip Hop and Street

Age Group: 14-21 years

Company Size: 19

Practice Regime: 30 x weekly rehearsals, and 2 x 4-day intensive choreographic commissions with professional choreographers in October and February half-terms, plus performances at approximately 8-10 youth dance platform events across the region.

Entry Requirements: Acceptance through auditions held every July.

Experience and/or Qualifications Offered: 1 year’s place as a company member. This year NoCo are also looking for young people who are able to commit to the company for 2 years to include a summer project in 2009. NoCo is one of the leading county youth dance companies.

Dance History:

Performances 2008:

Cutting Through, Youth Dance England – Sat 23rd February

Bedales Dance Platform, Hampshire – Sun 2nd March

Chances for Change, Southampton FC – Tues 8th March

Battle, Farnham Maltings – Sat 8th March

Shake the Room, Basingstoke – Sat 29th March

Dance For Life, Red Cross Event – Sat 26th April

Hothouse, The Point – Sun 15th June

Performers:

Amy Black: Hey I'm Amy and i've been part of NoCo for 4 years now. I have learnt so much and it has widened my understanding of hip hop history so much. I'm really excited for getting through to the festival and think it will be a great experience.

Luannsa Goodman: I have been dancing for 8 years doing a variety of styles and a couple of years ago became interested in Hip Hop. I did a couple of workshops before i found NoCo and since joining have learned so much about different styles like popping, locking and breaking.

Chris Lewin: I have been a member of Noco since it began 3 years ago. I have found the being a member of Noco is very beneficial to me because in the October and February half terms a professional Choreographer works with us and we learn a new piece of repertiore. This is a great experience because any questions we have can be answered and we learn new styles and hone our previous skills

Jorden Maney: Hi my name is Jorden and i go to Cranbourne School. In my spare time i enjoy doing drama and lots of different dance styles. I joined NoCo this year and love Hip Hop dance styles because they are so expressive.

Jamie Morris: As well as NoCo i also dance latin, ballroom, disco and rock 'n' roll. NoCo has given me a chances to dance with many different people, learn from fantastic choreographers and perform in events such as Breakin' Convention. This year i will be doing a course so that i can teach dancing too!

Mia Pearce: NoCo has given me a fantastic opportunity to learn a new and varied dance style that is hugely recognised throughout the world. I have gained a better knowledge and understanding of the different elements of Hip Hop and hope to continue learning for many years to come!

Jess Robinson: I love to dance and i've done loads of different styles since i was 3. My favourite style is street because i can do it with attitude!

Simone Such: I'm 15 years old and only joined NoCo this year. It has taught me so much and has inspired me so much, dancing is my passion.

Clare Neave: Hi my name’s Clare and I have been dancing since I was 6, experiencing many different styles. My personal favourite being street, and now I’ve been a company member of NoCo for 2 years. I am hoping to progress in this style and to go onto do something in dance as a career.

Azariah: I have been in noco for 3 years. Noco has given me such enthusiasm for street and hip hop dance. Being part of noco has encouraged me to follow a career in dance, i will be attending dance college in september!
Tasha: I'm Tasha and i'm 17 years old. I have been dancing since i was 3 years old and found out about hip hop and noco through friends a couple of years of years ago. I have really enjoyed working with fantastic choreographers to make our dance pieces and performing them at many different great venues and events like youth dance england .
Ollie De Lisle: I'm Ollie and i started noco last year and since then have enjoyed it so much. I have learnt a lot from our professional choreographers and weekly training sessions. I have made a lot of new friends and learned a lot about hip hop, i can't wait till youth dance england !
Hannah Jubin: Hip hop has really inspired me, not just as a dancer but also with my fashion design work at college. Recently i designed the new NoCo logo which is now used in all our publicity. I feel very proud to have been part noco.
Ella Teasedale: Hi i'm ella! I have been doing tap, ballet, modern and acro since i was 9 years old. I have been doing street and hip hop dance for 2 years and have really improved. I even use my acro skills when freestyling!
Lisa: I'm Lisa and I'm the youngest in NoCo! I have had a great time over the last couple of years and feel that i have grown as a dancer and freestyler. With NoCo it feels like a big family and i love it when we perform.

NoCo is Hampshire Dance's hip hop youth dance company. Please refer to above for full interview.

A few extra words from NoCo...

How does your dance group come up with ideas and choreography?

We try to see as much hip hop and street dance as we can, whether it be live performances or videos. We also learn about Hip Hop history and culture with Vikkie Steege, or rehearsal director, and this influences us a lot in what we do.

Shift Youth Dance Company

Location: The Place, 17 Duke’s Road, London WC1H 9PY

Dance Style/s: Contemporary

Age Group: 13-19 years

Company Size: 19 members

Practice Regime: Meets twice a week for two hours

Entry Requirements: Application and Audition

Experience and/or Qualifications Offered: N/A

Dance History: Shift the resident Youth Dance Company at The Place -UK's premier centre for contemporary dance -has been around for over 10 years. Members have gone on to train at London Contemporary Dance School, Laban and Northern and some have gone on to dance with: Shobana Jeyasingh, Wayne Macgregor etc.

Performers: Samira Addo, Sid Barnes, Emily Curtis-Harper, Lisa Doole, Nastasya Gecim, Jenny Hayes, Melissa Hunt, Rachael Katz, Maya Lane, Gal Lotem, Joel MacCormack, Ihsaan Marda de Banya, Gabriella Montgomery Solano, Star Ojo, Reece James Richards, Charlotte Viegas, Luke Thompson, Anna Wallace, Thais Wizenberg.

Can you tell us a bit about the philosophy behind your final performance for NYDF, its style and music?

Zoi Dimitriou has choreographed this piece entitled ‘You’re too short for that gesture’ using her particular style of release based dance vocabulary. The dancers often tease each other with cheeky looks, shifts, changes of level through the light quirkiness of the movement. The music comically sets the mood as the bodies enter in and out of the light to create short encounters between different sets of dancers.

How does your dance group come up with ideas and choreography?

It alters each time as we commission professional choreographers to make pieces on Shift each year and their processes always differ.

What do you believe are the strengths of your dance group that lead to you being selected out of the 122 dance companies that auditioned?

Shift work hard and are extremely committed and talented young dancers, this year the piece managed to show this clearly to the judges.

How can young people who are interested in dance go about getting involved in a dance group such as your own?

Look on the internet for youth companies around their area, ask dance teachers at school who are often very well informed or from watching dance regularly and asking around.

What do you look for in a dancer hoping to join your dance company?

We look for gifted young people, not necessarily in a technical sense who can work well with others and are extremely creative and OPEN.

How does your dance company support young dancers who would like to go on and make a living out of dance?

As we are based at The Place, there are plenty of resources that the young dancers can access, such as extra technique classes, audition advice from our resident Centre for Advance training and many more. Shift members have gone on to train and work as dancers with major companies such as Shobana Jeyasingh and Wayne Macgregor.

What future projects do you have on the agenda following your performance at the Peacock theatre?

We will be holding our next audition on the 7th September to create next year’s company that will be working with talented choreographer/performer and LCDS faculty member Rick Nodine. For the remaining of this year, Shift will be performing at The Hackney Empire on 23rd July with their New Directions piece, by Avatara Ayuso and at the end of year CAT sharing at the Place theatre on 2nd August.

How can DanceGround Readers find out more about Shift?

For More information on Shift go to: www.theplace.org.uk/213/shift/the-company.html or contact Lia Prentaki on 0207 121 1034 or lia.prentaki@theplace.org.uk

Devon Youth Dance Company

Mission Statement: Devon Youth Dance Company is part of 3D A Chance to Dance, a Local Authority funded organisation co-ordinated by DAISI (Devon Arts in Schools Initiative). 3D aims to promote high quality dance and provide performance opportunities for school children and young people in Devon.

Location: Devon

Dance Style/s: mainly contemporary

Age Group: 14-18

Company Size: DYDC has 23 members in 2007/2008

Practice Regime: 15 rehearsal days at weekends during the autumn and spring terms, with 6 3D performance days and up to 4 additional performance opportunities.

Entry Requirements: Auditions held each September

Experience and/or Qualifications Offered: DAISI presents each member with a certificate. DAISI has also sent letters to the young people’s schools to congratulate their pupils on their NYDF selection.

Dance History: Devon Youth Dance Company is a well established Company and part of a larger County Dance initative, 3D A Chance to Dance. Company members work with their own Artistic Director and with visiting choreographers and artists from other art forms. The creative ethos is very much around the young dancers making work together alongside these professionals.

Performers: The National Youth Dance festival piece is choreographed by Ben Duke and performed by 13 company members, listed below.

Rosie Reid, Anders Duckworth, Laura Howell-Griffiths, Louise Moxhay, Oliver Hornsby-Sayer, Faye Preston, Jess Pawson, Tim Gale, Daisy Price, James Ackroyd-Smith, Jasmine Northbrooke, Rosie Vizor, Carys Davies.

Photographs: Devon Youth Dance Company performs 'A Tribe of One', dancers Louise Moxhay & Tim Gale.

Can you tell us a bit about the philosophy behind your final performance for NYDF, its style and music?

The piece has been made by a choreographer called Ben Duke. The idea behind the piece is to do with identity, our desire to be part of a group and to fit in against our desire to stand out and be individual. The group work is in a contemporary style, using material from the choreographer, and their own material including lots of contact work. They respond to the music, particularly in the second section. Music was a strong motivation for the movement in this second section, in contrast to the landscape style music in the first section. We work with a combination of things. The initial starting point usually comes from the ideas and material provided by a visiting artist like Ben, or from the Company’s own Artistic Director. The group then develops this with their own ideas feeding into the original concept, and working on choreographic tasks that the group leaders set to develop and expand the material and their ideas. It is very much a collaborative process.

What do you believe are the strengths of your dance group that lead to you being selected out of the 122 dance companies that auditioned?

Everyone in the group has their own style, their own way of moving, but together they work really well as a team. They are supportive of each other, giving one another feedback and valuing everyone’s contribution when we are working. They are a dynamic and very expressive group, which we think comes across in this piece. They are strong, creative dancers, very open to new ideas and ways of approaching dance, which we think allowed them to really take on board this original and quirky piece.

How can young people who are interested in dance go about getting involved in a dance group such as your own?

Contact DAISI on 01392 385214 and ask about the 3D A Chance to Dance project. There are several 3D groups which run at different venues across Devon throughout the autumn and spring terms each year. You can join one of these groups to build on your experience (you don’t have to audition), or you can audition for Devon Youth Dance Company.

What do you look for in a dancer hoping to join your dance company?

Creative talent, a positive and disciplined attitude, technical performance ability (or potential) and a passion for dance are the audition criteria.

How does your dance company support young dancers who would like to go on and make a living out of dance?
The group are always asking about the possibilities to train and pursue a career path in dance. The Company’s current dance leaders have trained at the London Contemporary Dance School and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. We try to give them an honest view of life in the dance world. We place emphasis on good technical training and also very importantly on creativity, so they have the tools to equip themselves to be able to contribute their own ideas and movement to a process. This forms the basis of a lot of our work and we have seen these skills really develop and improve in our year with them. Several Devon Youth Dance Company members have gone on to do Dance at a Higher Education level over the last couple of years. The company supports the development of individuals, whether or not they pursue Dance as a career. 

What future projects do you have on the agenda following your performance at the Peacock theatre?
The first opportunity for DYDC 2008-09 will be a performance at an event organised by Dance South West to celebrate the launch of the Cultural Olympiad on 27th September 2008. There are also performances planned for the Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe, the Northcott Theatre in Exeter and the Ariel Centre in Totnes for Spring 2009. 

Would you like to recommend any other dance groups that you think are worth checking out? There is a great dance group in Exeter run by the young dancers themselves. It is called Re*flex and rehearses at the Exeter Phoenix. In North Devon, the North Devon Theatres supports the group ‘Make the Move’, who will also be performing at the festival. 
How can DanceGround Readers find out more about DYDC ? Give us a ring at DAISI (Devon Arts in Schools Initiative) on 01392 385214.

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