Speakers
We are delighted to announce the dancers who will be sharing their Transition Tales at EVOLVE London on Sunday 11th October 2015. Complete the booking form here.
Jaimie Persson, former Principal of The Royal Ballet
Born in British Columbia, Canada, DCD Retrained Dancer Jaimie trained at the National Ballet School of Canada. She joined the National Ballet of Canada in 1994 and was promoted to First Soloist 1999. In 1995 she won the Forth International competition for the Erik Bruhn prize. She joined The Royal Ballet in 1999 and was promoted to Principal, 2002. Her repertory includes Odette/Odile, Giselle, Aurora, Swanhilda, Sugar Plum Fairy, Nikiya, Tatiana, Manon, Cinderella, Marie Larich (Mayerling), Terpsichore, 'M' (Carmen), Agon, The Four Temperaments, Triad, Song of the Earth, The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, In the middle somewhat elevated, Symphonic Variations, Por Vos Muero, Polyphonia, The Leaves are Fading, Requiem and Gloria. She has created roles in numerous ballets by such choreographers as Bintley, Alleyne, Tuckett, Wheeldon, Kudelka and McGregor. Jaimie retired from the Royal Ballet in 2006 preceding the birth of her second child.
Since retirement Jaimie has received First Class Honours degrees in Work Based Learning Studies (BA) and Psychology (BSc). She is currently completing her MSc in Organisational Psychology at City University London. Jaimie is Level A and B trained in Psychometric testing, is a certified MBTI and OPQ practitioner, and a member of the BPS. Having completed work placements with Sane Mental Health Charity and Middlesex University, School of Social Sciences and Criminology, since 2011 Jaimie has worked as Manager of Shoreditch Trust's Maternal Health Education Programme. One day a week, Jaimie returns to the ballet studio for a few hours to coach pre-professional dancers.
Jaimie is married to Johan Persson, a fellow DCD Retrained Dancer who was a Principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada and the Royal Ballet before becoming a photographer. Jaimie and Johan have two children and live in Hackney.
,"I'm thrilled to be asked to participate in DCD's EVOLVE workshop. From personal experience I know opportunities to hear other's stories, reflect on possibilities for the future, and develop networks of peers is beneficial during all significant life transitions. I look forward to taking part!"
Jonathan Goddard, independent dance artist, movement director and choreographer
Photo: Marcus Renner
Jonathan is a professional dance artist, movement director and choreographer who has worked for many major British dance companies including DCD Contributing Companies, Rambert Dance Company and Richard Alston Dance Company.
In 2013 Jonathan took the title role of Mark Bruce Company's production of Dracula, which received the Southbank Show Sky Arts Award for Dance.
He is a founder member of New Movement Collective, Goddard Nixon and a tutor at the Architectural Association in London.
As a Movement Director he has worked for the National Theatre on productions of Strange Interlude, Man and Superman and Beaux Stratagem, the Royal Shakespeare Company on Two Gentlemen on Verona and as dance associate on Sam Mendes' Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Jonathan has been nominated for the South Bank Show /Times Newspaper Breakthrough Award in 2007, Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance in 2008, Critics Circle National Dance Award for Best Male Dancer 2011, 2012. He has gone on to win the Critics Circle Award for Best Male Dancer twice in 2008 and 2014 and Outstanding Male Performance (modern) in 2014.
"I think that DCD is a fantastic organisation, I believe with the right support and possibly a bit of rehearsal, dancers can do anything. I am pleased and excited to have been asked to share my career transitional experiences for EVOLVE."