Company Visits 2014

Northern Ballet

On Tuesday 12th August 2014, Dancers' Career Development visited DCD Contributing Company, Northern Ballet, in Leeds.

Photo: DCD retrained dancer Darren Goldsmith

Executive Director, Jennifer Curry, and Grants and Careers Officer, Ellen Chambers, presented Dancers' Career Development's philosophy, latest news and Transition Support Services, including EVOLVE Leeds #1, to the dancers and staff at the Company. Dancers were also offered the opportunity to have one to one consultations during the visit.

Photo: DCD retrained dancer Darren Goldsmith

"It was clear, inclusive of all people, and helpful. Now I want to think about the future more." Northern Ballet dancer

We were joined by DCD retrained dancer and graduate of the Clore Leadership Programme's Dance Fellowship, Daniel de Andrade, who is the Ballet Master at Northern Ballet. Daniel kindly shared his career and transition tale with the dancers, including how he balanced having a family of five children along with his own career development.

Photo: DCD retrained dancer Darren Goldsmith

"It was a real pleasure to have been given the opportunity to reflect on my career path so far and put in to words to future 'retrainees' the enormity of the support I have received from Dancers' Career Development and the positive impact it has had on my ongoing prospects. I'm amazed at the range of care and support that continues to be offered and I'm so very proud to have had two waves of life transforming and empowering bouts of retraining" - Daniel de Andrade

DCD retrained dancer Darren Goldsmith photographed the presentation for us.

Thank you to everyone at Northern Ballet for a very warm welcome and we look forward to visiting again for EVOLVE Leeds #1 on Monday 29th September.


The Royal Ballet

Jennifer and Ellen visited DCD Contributing Company, The Royal Ballet, on Wednesday 13th August to update the dancers and staff on the services available and our latest news, as well as offering one to one consultations to the dancers.

DCD retrained dancer and founder of Everybody Ballet, Isabel McMeekan, joined us to tell her transition tale, explaining how she started her own business and talking candidly about the challenges that transition can bring.

Photographs of the event were taken by DCD retrained dancer Andre Uspenski (coming soon).

"It was comforting to know there is an organisation that's interested in helping dancers capitalise on their individual facets and strengths after performing." Royal Ballet dancer

It was a pleasure to visit The Royal Ballet and we are so grateful to the staff and dancers for making us feel very welcome.


Rambert

We were delighted to visit Rambert at their new home on the Southbank on Tuesday 26th August.

Rambert's Chief Executive Nadia Stern introduced the presentation, while the dancers got the chance to hear DCD's retrained dancer and Artistic Director of Icon Dance, Martin Joyce, telling his Transition Tale and his experience of The Clore Leadership Programme.

"Very well presented and communicated." Dane Hurst, Rambert dancer

"I think the presentation was clear and very inspiring to me. Now I feel more secure." Miguel Altunaga, Rambert dancer

Thank you to everyone at Rambert for a lovely reception.


English National Ballet

Photo: DCD retrained dancer Amber Hunt

Our visit to English National Ballet took place on Tuesday 2nd September, and featured DCD retrained dancer Henry St Clair, who told his transition tale to the dancers including how he completed his massage qualifications and a degree in Economics and Politics before establishing his own business, Crystal Ballet.

Photo: DCD retrained dancer Amber Hunt

DCD retrained dancer Amber Hunt of Photography by ASH kindly photographed the visit for us.

"Very informative. Made me feel much more confident in the help and support to retrain." ENB dancer

Thank you to the ENB dancers and staff for a great response and welcome.

Photo: DCD retrained dancer Amber Hunt

Richard Alston Dance Company

On Wednesday 10th September, Jennifer and Ellen visited Richard Alston Dance Company, accompanied by DCD retrained dancer and professional photographer, Pari Naderi.

Pari shared her transition tale, explaining how she began photography while she was still dancing and developed her skills with support from DCD. Pari kindly photographed the visit for us.

"It's nice for a dancer to feel understood in and out of a dance career." Jenny Hayes, RADC dancer

Thank you to everyone at Richard Alston Dance Company for a lovely visit.

Scottish Ballet

The DCD team were welcomed to Scottish Ballet on Thursday 13th November, where we were joined by DCD retrained dancer Joanne Orr (formerly Bungay) who shared her story with the dancers of the company, particularly gaining a Master degree in Dance Movement Psychotherapy.

"Wonderful presentation. Concise but informative. Genuinely interesting. Thank you for taking the time to come and visit us." Scottish Ballet dancer

"Relevant to all dancers in all stages of their career. Very friendly and approachable speakers." Scottish Ballet dancer

We were made to feel very welcome by everyone at Scottish Ballet - thank you!

Birmingham Royal Ballet

On Wednesday 26th November 2014, we visited Birmingham Royal Ballet where DCD retrained dancer, Victoria Marr, shared her transition tale and how she co-founded her online fitness business, Sleek Technique, along with DCD retrained dancer Flik Swan.

DCD Grants and Careers Officer Ellen Chambers, DCD retrained dancer Victoria Marr, and DCD Executive Director Jennifer Curry at Birmingham Royal Ballet. Photo: Tim Cross

DCD retrained dancer, Tim Cross, kindly took photographs of the visit for us.

"I feel relieved as I have been thinking about what to do after dancing. Being injured for three years has brought lots of thoughts and concerns but the talk really helped me." Birmingham Royal Ballet dancer

Thank you to Birmingham Royal Ballet for a warm welcome.

We look forward to visiting our Contributing Companies again in 2015.

If you would like to arrange a visit to your dance company or school then please contact Jennifer Curry, Executive Director, on jennifer@thedcd.org.uk or 020 7831 1449.

Feedback from dancers:

"I feel inspired and supported - thank you!" Dreda Blow, Northern Ballet dancer

"A clear and reassuring introduction to developing my career." Izzy Clough, Northern Ballet dancer

"Clear, well articulated and inspiring." Giuliano Contadino, Northern Ballet dancer

"I was inspired a lot after the presentation and I started to think about my career transition." Northern Ballet dancer

"I was relieved to know there is an organisation like this to offer support for this inevitable stage of a dancer's life." Northern Ballet dancer

"The presentation was inspiring and very concrete, with good examples." Lucia Solari, Northern Ballet dancer

"Very positive and relevant to all of us." Northern Ballet dancer

"It was educational and made me think more about my career planning. I feel safer and not too worried about what could happen if my dancing career ends because I know an organisation such as DCD exists." Northern Ballet dancer

"Practical and clear information, great hosts." Northern Ballet dancer

"Very clear message and information. The presentation was full of energy and it stayed interesting." Royal Ballet dancer

"It's really good to know that dancers have this kind of support coming from the DCD." Mayara Magri, Royal Ballet dancer

"I think the presentation was clear and very inspiring to me. Now I feel more secure." Miguel Altunaga, Rambert dancer

"It was very helpful to hear of another dancer's transition. It's reassuring to know that my initial fears are common but not necessary!" Rambert dancer

"It was insightful, I have more knowledge of the services available to me through DCD." Rambert dancer

"It was helpful to hear the many other jobs available and offered through retraining." Rambert dancer

"Great to know you're not alone and there is a place to go and get help and support." Rambert dancer

"Open, friendly, useful approachable." Rambert dancer

"Very informative. Made me feel much more confident in the help and support to retrain." ENB dancer

"Perfect, helpful, comforting." ENB dancer

"Very impressed with all the information provided - extremely useful! Sarah Kundi, ENB dancer

"It was very helpful and eye opening." ENB dancer

"It was interesting to learn the possibilities there are of transitioning after a professional dancing career." ENB dancer

"Lovely people, and we're so lucky to have DCD support!" ENB dancer

"Very clear and informative. DCD seems very approachable." ENB dancer

"Clear and concise, enjoyable and a really good opportunity to get to know about life after dance performance. I feel safer in the knowledge of DCD for the future." RADC dancer

"Great to have someone who has been through the process in the presentation." RADC dancer

"Inspiring, very helpful and it made me motivated about my future." RADC dancer

"It's nice for a dancer to feel understood in and out of a dance career." Jenny Hayes, RADC dancer

"Very good, clear and positive. Made it feel less scary." Elly Braund, RADC dancer

"Nice to hear another dancer's story - this provides confidence for the future." Scottish Ballet dancer

"Very useful and inspiring." Scottish Ballet dancer

"It made me feel more at ease about my transition in the future." Luciana Ravizzi, Scottish Ballet dancer

"Wonderful presentation. Concise but informative. Genuinely interesting." Scottish Ballet dancer

"Relevant to all dancers in all stages of their career. Very friendly and approachable speakers." Scottish Ballet dancer

"Very professional, down to earth and informative." Birmingham Royal Ballet dancer

"I feel relieved as I have been thinking about what to do after dancing. Being injured for three years has brought lots of thoughts and concerns but the talk really helped me." Birmingham Royal Ballet dancer