Thanks for visiting my website. I'll be collating and sharing what's important to me as a dance artist, where im currently at and what I'm interested in. I have a background that will inform some of this writing but i'll mainly be detailing where I am presently with my work.

My career consists of many roles, the portfolio artists, ranging from Creative Producer for Cheshire Dance to Associate Lecturer at MMU Cheshire, as well as performer, dance maker and community artist. I've often troubled myself with being a jack of all trades and a master of none - but in finding the the connection between the many roles, I am growing to discover my own values, interests and curiosities that deepen the dance artist i chose to be. I don't teach everyday, i cant be in the studio 6 days a week all day, i have admin like most.....

I'm busy studying at masters level, focusing currently on 'The Dancing Self in Performance Improvisation.' I'm interested in the role of science, somatics and habitual memory in decsion making for improvisation. I also enjoy working with score and structure and continue to investigate my choreographical concern in relation to improvisation through a praxis approach.

I will be presenting my work in progress at the following events:

MACA showcase: MMU Cheshire, June 19th 2014

Inquiring Bodies: Cheshire Dance, November 12th 2014.

 

My history, my influences, my origins....

 

Karate - aged 4-7years - graded up to green belt. Quit because I was punched in the stomach and it winded me.

My neighbour and cousin went to dance class, I wanted to go!

 

Private Dance School:

Brenda Dinsdale school of dance: Modern, Tap, showdance. On my first day i sat, soles together, knees touching my ears and an older dancer pushed them to the floor - i quietly cried! My groin was in agony! I still went back, increasing my flexibility, practicing splits, high kicks, backward walk overs. After our first show, i was moved to the front of the dances, i'd been recognised! It felt amazing, i was 'good'

 

Newcastle Dance Academy: I wanted to do my exams, so i began training in Ballet, Tap and Modern. I remember recieving a little red book with all the ballet terminology in it that i had to remember for exams. We performed a remake of The Nutcracker!

Began Disco dancing and entered my first novice competition - i came first but then was disqualified for having 2 sequin on my costume. I stopped!

 

Lyndsey Carr school put me forward for competitions in ballet, tap, modern, musical theatre - solo, duet, troupe - at least once every few months! My first song and dance, i'd held my breath that much during the performed instrumental that when i came to sing I exhasperated and the judge told me to breath!

I was awarded 3rd in the North East Entertainer competition at 14years old.

 

(Ran over by a car - fracture to elbow, damage to muscles and ligaments in right leg)

 

Mrs Waite was my favourite teacher, My high school dance teacher introduced me to her - she was beautiful. The first thing she taught me was to correct my alignment. I loved ballet! my technique grew - I enoyed watching her garcefully dance with us and i tried to embody this. I performed in an Opera as a bull fighter in La Traviata. 

 

At GCSE Miss Kenny introduced me to Christopher Bruce, DV8, Rambert, I created my first site-based cross arts piece at A-level.

I performed in all the school productions - i remember my first audition - a drama one - i went for the role of Anna, a troubled character. I never knew i could access my emotions in that way. My monologue surprised me. I felt like all i wanted to do was perform! Act, dance, sing infront of everyone from then on.

 

I performed at the Theatre Royal, physical theatre. I played Rizzo in Grease and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. I saw fame on stage and wanted to be Carmel one day!

 

I auditioned for Dance City's youth company, choreographers created pieces on the company, i experienced a mini tour. The dancer's were good, it challenged my technique! My first introduction to Graham & Cunningham training.

 

I played lots of netball through school - school team, astley netball club (training Thursdays, matches Sunday) and selected for Northumberland County Netball team. My ran with my dad down the beach every week, i joined swimming for a year - it really improved my breathing ( I always felt like i needed to take a deep inhalation - no asthma, but bronchitis as a baby)

 

Left my family home - independance, lots of travelling, driving, managing money!

I began my degree in 2005 at MMU Cheshire. Joint Honours Dance & Drama.

Anna MacDonald - 1st assessment was a choreographed solo. She told me to forget everything i had learnt. I held my breath during the assessed performance. I was upset.

Drama - Sarah Kane, psychosis 4:48! I loved to channel the 'psychotic character'

Rosie Kay - technique: contemporary/ballet. Very strict. My first 1st! I was a performer not a choreographer.

Judson Group - what is performance? Dance Theatre, Laban Notation, Capoeira.

Improvised theatre performance - felt uncomfortable, preffered script. Performed monologue for peers directing unit - again, a troubled character that i managed performed incredibly. I could connect to my emotions in this way.

This is a chair - research, dramaturgy.....loved this process.

Style Studies: Russel Maliphant - lighting design. Choreography! I'd found the choreographer in me.

Vincent Cacalano - technique: flow, graham, cunningham, hawkins...

(Fracture to left wrist - injury in rehearsal)

 

I loved Brown's work! I was intrigued by Bausch.

I acted in a comedy - i couldn't do comedy! I've never been a funny person!

 

 

I taught at a primary school during my degree and then ran a movement to music workshop for young people with disabilities - i was awarded community coach of the year by the sports department at MMU.

 

I was the society of an Urban group - learning hip-hop routines and performing in various venues for 3years. I continued to teach in this style but never choreographed for my peers.

 

I enjoyed running, gym time too! Lots of cardio training. Used to try to please everyone, do everything - clashes in timetables, stress in managing everything.

 

 

Vincent Cacalano: collective - rehearsal every Sunday.

Performed Set Material from improvisation, in improvised structures. This was a new way of working for me. Fludity, sequential, initiation - quality embodied. Relaxed effort.

Performances - 45minute pieces - liveness.

 

(Lower back injury - muscle - accupuncture)

 

Katy Duck - summer workshop! First time i flew alone to another country - nervous! First time i danced in another country.

Fearful of improvisation - relied on set material from Vincent's work. Enjoyed observation and found benefit in this - influenced by improvised music and its impact. Intrigued by enter and exit methods.

 

Became Cheshire Dance Development Artist: (West Cheshire/ East Cheshire)

New experiences - community practice, administration, arts council, partnership, funding

Site-based practice and performance. Somatic practice.

Contact Improvisation. Yoga.

facilitation - education, showcases: management.

Promotion: Creative Producer.

Creative play. Creative Values - authenticity, awareness, flexibility, inquiry, owenership, diversity.

Olympics project - outdoor, mass participation. Stress!

 

 

Forecast Dance - Anna MacDonald "This is for you" Nantwich Arts festival

1 Audience member - improvised (score) solo. busy town.

 

The Brindley - Genevive Say - physical theatre. Working with prop. Out of my comfort zone, movement style...

 

Dreamtime/ Avignon festival: Site adaptive promenade, mixed ability dancers. Scored improvisation. 1 Set phrase. I wasn't concerned with aesthetic/ beauty. Responsive - site, people, heat, noise.

 

Charlie Morrisey residency: this workshop broke down the fear of touch - working in contact with others. Experiencing senses - tuning scores. Felt connected to my body: prompted research and interest in MA.

 

Karen Nelson - tuning scores: 1 on 1 (brief workshop) 

soft approach, internal impulse

 

Salsa, pilates, body pump, kettlecise, running - concern with body/ hormones/ health ; self-conscious state.

 

Clearer in my independance, not wanting to please. Learning to say no. Making choice.