Northen Ballet Inside 7 by Northern Ballet

inside the magazine from Northern Ballet Theatre Issue 7 Spring 2010

NBT GALA CELEBRATIONS in pictures SIZE ISN’T EVERYTHING the vitality of NBT’s perfectly formed Orchestra MATTHEW KOON NBT’s rising star

inside

2 Company News

4 NBT Alumni

6 NBT Gala Photo album

issue 7

Size isn’t everything NBT Orchestra profile

10 Pull-out-and-keep Your pull-out-and-keep schedule of tour dates and Friends events

12 Friends of NBT Meet Judith Baker, NBT’s Friends and Events Manager

14 A new home for dance An update on developments

16 Building partnerships Learning & Access at NBT

Cover image: NBT dancer Rym Kechacha. Photo: Lisa Stonehouse

18 Dance is who I am! Profile of Matthew Koon, NBT’s rising dance star

inside: NBTnews

Company News In this issue we’re replacing the usual Welcome from David to bring you some exciting news about our Artistic Director.

New Years Honour for David Nixon We’re delighted that David Nixon received an OBE for services to dance in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. David has made a significant artistic contribution to narrative dance in the UK and has been instrumental to the continued growth and success of NBT since taking over as Artistic Director in 2001. “I was overwhelmed that I had been chosen to receive this Honour.Coming at the end of NBT’s 40th Anniversary year it was the icing on the cake to a wonderful year for the Company and for me personally.I would like to thank everyone who endorsed my nomination, the team at NBT for their hard work and dedication and especially my wife,Yoko Ichino, for her unwavering support.” David’s creative output is prolific; in the past nine years he has choreographed nine new full-length ballets for NBT. David is committed to taking the highest quality dance to audiences throughout the country, bringing together collaborators at the top of their field to create new ballets with exceptional production values. He has also placed great importance in providing opportunities for young people throughout the North of England to access high quality classical dance training without having to leave home, through the expansion of NBT’s Academy programmes. Dame Monica Mason, DBE, Director of The Royal Ballet supported David’s nomination: “David Nixon has made the most tremendous contribution to Northern Ballet Theatre and to classical dance in the UK.His energy and his capabilities are astonishing and he is held in the highest regard within the profession.” Claude-Michel Schönberg, celebrated composer of Les Miserables and NBT’s Wuthering Heights added: “David Nixon creates new works with original stories, newly commissioned scores and innovative choreography; its modernity remaining accessible to a wide ranging public. His work reaches out to the British public, bringing culture to towns and cities far from the main cultural centres of the UK. In 20 years time a young British dancer will explain his vocation in the theatre as a result of attending, one night, the performance of a ballet by David Nixon in a small town where he grew up.”

Main: David Nixon in rehearsal. Photo: Brian Slater

Dance recognition The honour is the latest in a string of awards recognising David’s work since taking up the role of Artistic Director at NBT. David was voted Director of the Year by readers of Dance Europe in 2003 and 2006; he remains the only Artistic Director to ever have won the accolade twice. Under his direction NBT received the audience award at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards for three successive years (2004, 2005, 2006), this is the only award voted for by members of the public. In 2009 NBT received the Patron’s award recognising the work the Company has done to raise the profile of dance in the UK.

Fond farewells We have said a fond farewell to two of NBT’s longest serving dancers. After two final emotional performances as the Nurse in Romeo & Juliet at the Grand Theatre in February, Ginnie Ray has hung up her pointe shoes to be a full time mum to her daughter Rebecca. She has been a valued member of the

Company for 11 years and has danced many roles including Lady Capulet in Romeo & Juliet, Mrs Darling in Peter Pan and Milady de Winter in The Three Musketeers. Christopher-Hinton Lewis has left NBT to live and work in New Zealand and has joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Christopher has been dancing with the Company for 10 years and has given many memorable performances including Romeo, Heathcliff and Hamlet. Listen to an interview with Chris on NBT’s website www.northernballettheatre.co.uk We’ve also said a sad farewell to Head of Marketing Amy Dutton who has moved on to be Head of Communications at Leeds Theatres; Melanie Aram has taken up the role of Head of Development at the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow and Stephanie Bell who has joined the Almeida Theatre in London as Marketing Assistant. Physiotherapist Anna Evans has left NBT to join the Nuffield Hospital in Leeds and we welcome Adam Rowland as our new Physio. And finally, farewell to Chief Electrician Matt Millward who has been replaced by Al West.

Promotions and new members of the NBT family Congratulations to: Laraine Penson who has been promoted from Head of Media & PR to Director of Communications; Ruth BurkeKennedy to Head of Communications, Catherine Mullaney to Communications Manager: Media & PR and Emma Mooney who has been promoted to Communications Manager: Marketing; Jo Dean who has been promoted to Learning & Access Project Manager and Cara O’Shea who has joined the NBT Academy Teaching Faculty full-time. Congratulations also to Megan McLoughlin who has been promoted to Trusts and Foundations Manager. Steve Hughes who was our Company Manager is now Head of Planning and Operations while we welcome Al Buchan as NBT’s new Company Manager. Welcome also to Hannah Walker who has joined us as Individual Giving Manager and Philippa Plumtree-Varley who is our new Learning & Access Co-ordinator.

inside

2 Company News

4 NBT Alumni

6 NBT Gala Photo album

issue 7

Size isn’t everything NBT Orchestra profile

10 Pull-out-and-keep Your pull-out-and-keep schedule of tour dates and Friends events

12 Friends of NBT Meet Judith Baker, NBT’s Friends and Events Manager

14 A new home for dance An update on developments

16 Building partnerships Learning & Access at NBT

Cover image: NBT dancer Rym Kechacha. Photo: Lisa Stonehouse

18 Dance is who I am! Profile of Matthew Koon, NBT’s rising dance star

inside: NBTnews

Company News In this issue we’re replacing the usual Welcome from David to bring you some exciting news about our Artistic Director.

Main: David Nixon in rehearsal. Photo: Brian Slater

inside: NBT alumni performance

NBT alumni performance On 5 December Leeds Grand Theatre was buzzing with excitement when a host of NBT alumni returned to the stage for a one-off performance of A Christmas Carol with the current Company. This unique night was part of NBT’s 40th Anniversary celebrations and it linked past, present and future to capture the spirit and character that all the dancers have brought to NBT over its 40 years. The idea of an alumni performance generated great excitement for the dancers as well as the audience. ExNBT leading artist and current NBT Academy teacher Viki Westall worked closely with David Nixon bringing the performance to the stage.

Main: NBT dancers from past and present. Photos: Brian Slater

“The response was amazing, over 35 dancers got in touch wanting to be involved. I think that is a wonderful tribute to the Company. People make very tight bonds at NBT, because of the touring and the nature of the work, so this performance was a great opportunity for dancers and audiences to reunite.”

Created in 1992 A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebineezer Scrooge and his transformation from covetous old sinner to champion of Christmas spirit. The dancers returning to perform with NBT took up roles they made their own during their career with the Company and some were original cast members.

Inset photos clockwise from top right: Rehearsals for the Alumni Performance at the West Park studios, NBT and Central School of Ballet alumni, David Nixon on stage after the performance, Jeremy Kerridge and NBT’s returning dancers with Ballet Master Daniel de Andrade, rehearsals at West Park.

Rehearsals took place at the Company’s studios at West Park, which had been home to many of the alumni dancers for some time, with much fun and camaraderie.

Photos: Brian Slater

On the night of the performance the Grand Theatre was packed to the rafters with ex-dancers, friends, new faces and many old ones who have known the Company a long time. The performance, both spectacular and emotional, received rapturous applause from an electrified audience. One friend commented:“I don’t think I’ve ever sat in a theatre with an atmosphere like that before!” The alumni dancers included Jeremy Kerridge as Scrooge; William Walker as Bob Cratchit; Polly Benge as Mrs Cratchit; Viki Westall as the Nephew’s wife; Shannon Parker as Belle; Omar Gordon as Young Scrooge; Matthew Hunt as Mr Fezziwig; Fiona Beale as Mrs Fezziwig; Graciela Kaplan, Charlotte Talbot and Chiaki Nagao as the Hags; Lynsey and Simon Kidd as the tavern pas de deux; Lorena Vidal as the Ghost of Christmas Past; David Kierce as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Steven Wheeler as the Ghost of Christmas Future.

inside: NBT alumni performance

Main: NBT dancers from past and present. Photos: Brian Slater

Rehearsals took place at the Company’s studios at West Park, which had been home to many of the alumni dancers for some time, with much fun and camaraderie.

Photos: Brian Slater

inside: NBT Gala in pictures &

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NBT Gala photo album Northern Ballet Theatre celebrated 40 years of dance making in great style when luminaries from the world of dance joined the Company for a one-off Anniversary Gala Performance in aid of momentum, the fundraising campaign for the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new building. Artists from the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Rambert Dance Company and Phoenix Dance Theatre joined the Company along with others from Les Ballets de Monte Carlo, Ballet Du Rhin and Zurich Ballet who had travelled to the UK especially for the performance. NBT performed new works by David Nixon and Gillian Lynne to an audience of over 1,400 people and the event raised ÂŁ60k for momentum.

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Photos: Bill Cooper and Lisa Stonehouse

inside: NBT Gala in pictures &

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Photos: Bill Cooper and Lisa Stonehouse

inside: Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra

Size isn’t everything Small, but perfectly formed, the Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra is a jewel in the Company’s crown. “We are used to trying to make ourselves sound several times our true size: most people, even colleagues from other orchestras who have heard the NBT Orchestra without knowing its size, are astonished when they find out how few of us there actually are,” says Principal flautist, David Sumbler. Made up of 27 professional musicians, instrumentation includes violins, violas, cellos and double bass, flute, piccolo, oboe, cor anglais (English horn), clarinets, bassoon, horns, trumpet, trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion, harp and keyboard. A typical symphony size orchestra would comprise 16 first violins, 14 second violins, 10 violas, 8 cellos and 6 or 7 double bass. NBT has 5 firsts, 3 seconds, 2 violas, 2 cellos and 1 double bass.

“It’s a small band,” says Orchestra Manager Barry Collarbone,“but what makes it unique is the ability to tackle a diverse repertoire with outstanding results, and with a sound quality to rival much larger ensembles.” The size of the band, as the members call it, is a practical decision, many of the theatres that NBT tours to don’t have an orchestra pit large enough to accommodate a full size symphony orchestra. But while the NBT band may be small, it still thinks big. NBT Music Director, John Pryce-Jones, and Assistant Music Director, Nigel Gaynor, explains the many ways a bigger sound is achieved. Nigel says:“Our string players have to have the technical proficiency to produce strong dynamics without losing the quality of sound. They also need the stamina to sustain

the energy throughout a performance week.” John explains further:“When we play mainstream ballets, written originally for a much larger orchestra, the music is re-orchestrated for our Orchestra, usually by John Longstaff who is exceptionally clever at re-distributing the notes so as to maximise our efforts. Such is his success that the Orchestra sounds a lot larger than it is. “When we perform new ballet scores, written specifically for our forces, we work closely with the composer in order to achieve the best possible results. However, the bottom line is the quality, commitment and enthusiasm of the players both individually and corporately.The reputation of the Orchestra now is very high, and when we have a vacancy there are many candidates for the position. Our

principal horn who left to play in the Hallé for some years, has been unable to resist the pull of the NBT Orchestra and has re-joined us!”

Expectations.The Orchestra is also much-loved in Leeds for its annual Classical Fantasia performance at Kirkstall Abbey.

When the Company was originally formed, in 1969, most performances were given to pre-recorded music, but as the repertoire developed and the company grew, so too did the Orchestra. By the time Christopher Gable was Artistic Director, most if not all productions were performed to live music.

The nature of the work, and the fact that the band are on the road together so much has created tremendous loyalty from its members.

These days the Orchestra tours to all venues with the Company, on the road for around 23 weeks giving in the region of 165 performances per year. It has recorded a range of ballet scores, new and old, and received a record of the year award from Gramophone magazine in December 2000 for its recording of Great

John says:“Like the dancers and all the other departments, the Orchestra is always striving to give the best result possible, and it is this teamwork that makes for a very special atmosphere”. David Sumbler has been playing with the Orchestra for over 20 years.The relationship with the people he works with is crucial to him. “This is even more important than it would be in a normal job, because since we are staying away from home for a week at a time, we tend to spend much of our

free time with our colleagues, so they need to be good friends too.”

Main pic: Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra performing.

The NBT Orchestra discography includes: 20th Century English Ballets and Dracula (Naxos); The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Black Box); Great Expectations (NPC Records); A Streetcar Named Desire (Doyen); Stephen Warbeck’s Peter Pan (Quartz); Sir Malcolm Arnold, The Three Musketeers (Quartz).

Photo: Brian Slater

Read more about the Orchestra on David Sumbler’s weblog http://northernballettheatre.wordpre ss.com and in the NBT Anniversary Book which can be purchased on line at www.northernballettheatre.co.uk

inside: Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra

principal horn who left to play in the Hallé for some years, has been unable to resist the pull of the NBT Orchestra and has re-joined us!”

Expectations.The Orchestra is also much-loved in Leeds for its annual Classical Fantasia performance at Kirkstall Abbey.

The nature of the work, and the fact that the band are on the road together so much has created tremendous loyalty from its members.

free time with our colleagues, so they need to be good friends too.”

Main pic: Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestra performing.

Photo: Brian Slater

Read more about the Orchestra on David Sumbler’s weblog http://northernballettheatre.wordpre ss.com and in the NBT Anniversary Book which can be purchased on line at www.northernballettheatre.co.uk

inside: friends events

Your pull-out-and-keep guide

Wed 2 – Sat 5 June Theatre Royal, Glasgow Box office: 0844 871 7647 Wed 9 – Sat 12 June New Theatre, Cardiff Box office: 0292 087 8889 Tues 7 - Sat 12 September West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds Box office: 0113 213 780

Friends event Day at the theatre Theatre Royal, Glasgow Sat 5 June

Photo: Bill Cooper

Photo: HANSON

Photo: Merlin Hendy

to NBT’s 2010 tour

Wed 19 – Sat 22 May New Theatre, Hull Box office: 0148 222 6655

Friends event Class and coffee New Theatre, Hull Sat 22 May

Wed 29 September – Sat 2 October Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Box Office: 01274 432 000 Tue 5 – Sat 9 October New Victoria Theatre, Woking Box Office: 0870 606 6645 Tue 12 – Sat 16 October Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury Box Office: 0844 817 7607

Please note, booking fees may apply

inside: friends events

Your pull-out-and-keep guide

Friends event Day at the theatre Theatre Royal, Glasgow Sat 5 June

Photo: Bill Cooper

Photo: HANSON

Photo: Merlin Hendy

to NBT’s 2010 tour

Wed 19 – Sat 22 May New Theatre, Hull Box office: 0148 222 6655

Friends event Class and coffee New Theatre, Hull Sat 22 May

Please note, booking fees may apply

inside: friends of NBT

Friends of NBT The Friends of Northern Ballet Theatre are an essential part of the Company. They are our best advocates. Their support contributes towards the cost of new productions, costumes, sets and other projects, and helps us introduce ballet to as many people as possible. The touchstone for all our Friends is Judith Baker, NBT’s Friends and Events Manager. Judith joined NBT in 1998 as a part-time receptionist, a job which included looking after the administration of the Friends. After making the decision to work fulltime, Judith worked across many departments at NBT including Finance, Learning & Access, Marketing and Fundraising before settling full-time in the Fundraising department where she continued her long-association with the Friends as part of her responsibilities. Judith applies her extensive knowledge of each department at NBT to her work as Friends and Events Manager ensuring the whole Company works together to make all events as successful as possible. inside spoke to Judith about her work with the Friends of NBT.

What does your job involve? I administer all aspects of the Friends of NBT scheme and organise all the Friends events. I also organise all the corporate hospitality for NBT’s partners. I book their tickets and liaise with them about their events including organising drinks and the food. This sometimes involves food tasting – it’s a hard job but someone has to do it! What is your favourite aspect of your job? I enjoy organising events, especially seeing the finished product and the satisfied customers, who of course include the Friends. What are the challenges? Confirming dates and numbers can be tricky and this needs to be done as soon as possible so I can reserve tickets and organise everything else. We’ve also just had a new database installed which has caused some hiccups recently with late mailings etc, (sorry!), but this will ultimately make life a lot easier. What is the feedback from Friends about the scheme? Our Friends particularly enjoy the many opportunities to get closer to the Company. NBT offers a very comprehensive, value-formoney membership package. Because we open most of our new productions in Leeds and our dress rehearsals take place here, our Leeds-based Friends sometimes have more opportunity to see the Company. About a quarter of our 600 Friends are Leeds-based, so this means I need to make sure I can organise all I can for the other three-quarters who are spread around the country. Organising events for the Friends is a fairly complex business and involves most of the touring team at NBT. Anything we organise has to work for them. I tend to organise two or three Days at the Theatre at different venues on each tour and I work with the theatre to open these up to the Friends of the Theatre as well our Friends. Dancing with David and the dress rehearsals are always well attended.

How will the Friends of NBT benefit from the Company’s new building? NBT will become more easily accessible to the Friends who will be able to pop in to see the Company at any time, as long as they let me know in advance. The building is more central than our current base at West Park so it will be easier to travel to. The Friends can also have the satisfaction of knowing that they have supported the Company and helped it reach its long-held dream of a purpose-built headquarters in Leeds city centre. What are your aims for the Friends of NBT? I hope to continue to build the membership of the Friends of NBT and organise more events for them to attend. I am also looking for volunteers to act as ambassadors for NBT at the theatre. It is impossible for me to attend every performance so what we are looking for is someone to be at the theatre to act as a focal point for Friends attending a performance. This was very popular in the past when we had two volunteers who used to tour with the Company. The Friends of NBT are the best possible advocates for the Company – there is nothing more impressive than a Friend talking animatedly about the Company. It’s brilliant.

“I’ve made a group of friends through the Friends and we tend to book for events separately. When allocating seats for the dress rehearsals,Judith always tries to seat us together (and usually succeeds).I know she tries to do this for any groups that she knows of and it shows her commitment to her job and to trying to enhance the enjoyment of Friends. We really appreciate her efforts.” Janet McNulty, Friend and Patron of NBT

So if you do want more Friends events to take place in your local theatre, please support them and help us recruit for them. What would be your dream job if you weren’t Friends & Events coordinator for NBT? I’m really happy where I am at the moment, especially with the prospect of the new building. I live close to Quarry Hill so my commute is going to be so much better. I guess I’d like to be an events organiser for a big corporation. Someone I know has a job like this and gets to travel all over the place, she attends fantastic events and has unusual experiences; I’d love to do that. But, I’d miss the Friends of NBT, some of them I know very well, they’re like my friends too now and there are not many jobs where you can say you’ve made over 600 friends!

Inset portrait: Judith Baker Photo: Brian Slater

inside: friends of NBT

Inset portrait: Judith Baker Photo: Brian Slater

inside: fundraising

Main image: Dancing with Rhinos choreographed by Sharon Watson, Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre. Inset photos above from top: Don’t Just Sit There Partners; Back row left to right: Paul Kaiserman, ArtForms, Education Leeds; Simon Wells, Open Minds Theatre Company; Michael Bursey, College of Chinese Physical Culture; front row left to right: Jordan Tansey, Hull FC, RFL; Amanda Lewis, Phoenix Dance Theatre; Megan Hughes, Northern Ballet Theatre Academy. Photo: Paul Floyd Blake. New Building: Edward Chaplin (centre) with (from left), NBT Board member, Victoria Tomlinson, Marketing Leeds Chief Executive, Deborah Green, NBT Board member, Denise Jagger and NBT Chief Executive, Mark Skipper. Photo opposite page: Our new building taking shape. Photo: Phill Garnett

raising dance A new home for dance

Don’t Just Sit There

British Ambassador to Italy, Edward Chaplin, paid a visit to the site of the new building on Quarry Hill last month. He was accompanied by Northern Ballet Theatre’s Chief Executive, Mark Skipper, Deborah Green, Chief Executive of Marketing Leeds, and members of the NBT Board, Victoria Tomlinson and Denise Jagger.

NBT is leading a new project which will mix sport and culture to get people in Yorkshire actively involved in the 2012 Olympics. Through dance, theatre, music and rugby, Don’t Just Sit There encourages people to move and helps them to see how their region connects with the Games in London and the Olympic ethos.

Edward was on a visit to Leeds following the highly successful Leeds in Milan event last year, which saw leaders from the region’s financial, legal and creative sectors travel to Italy to forge relationships with their counterparts in Milan. He was very impressed with the scale of what was being delivered and plans to make a return visit to see the completed building.

NBT will be working in partnership with a wide range of arts and sports organisations across Yorkshire to deliver the project. These will include Phoenix Dance Theatre, ArtForms, the Rugby Football League, the College of Chinese Physical Culture, Marketing Leeds and Open Minds Theatre Company. The official launch of the project will take place in NBT’s new dance studios shortly after the official opening in 2011.

The building is moving on in leaps and bounds and has been transformed from a steel framework into an impressively sized building. Windows have been installed and the zinc panelling is almost complete. Inside individual rooms have been formed and all seven dance studios now have completed sprung flooring. We are still fundraising to complete the building. Please donate at: www.building-momentum.co.uk

During the 2010-11 school year the project’s inspiration will come from Beijing and the five Chinese elements: fire, earth, metal, water and wood. NBT and each of our cultural and sporting partners will take responsibility for working intensively with a school to create a piece of work based on one of these elements, which can then be shared with others.

Project activities won’t just be limited to education settings though: we aim to reach all kinds of people in Yorkshire through this project – we’ll be getting people moving in the name of Don’t Just Sit There at business conferences, in shopping centres and at rugby matches too. At the end of the year the ‘Elements’ will be brought together in festivals in each of the four sub regions of Yorkshire which will provide an interactive experience for large numbers of people. Watch this space for more information about the project and get ready to jump out of your seat!

Dates for your diary 12 May Rehearsal day, £25 to watch rehearsal and have lunch 17 November Rehearsal day in the new building as above 30 November Technical rehearsal and buffet lunch in the Emerald Grand Hall at Leeds Grand Theatre All hosted by the NBT Ambassadors

inside: fundraising

raising dance A new home for dance

Don’t Just Sit There

inside: Learning & Access

Building partnerships With the creation of the Learning & Access department in 1989 Northern Ballet Theatre’s Easter Course has been reaching out to enthusiastic young dancers since 2003. On these Courses alone we have worked with more than 200 young people aged 11 to 19, often from our local community.

Over the past seven years the course has presented the perfect opportunity to forge new partnerships with other local arts organisations, working in collaboration to offer participants something different and exciting, which captures their creativity in a combination of art forms. Collaborators have ranged from Theatre Company Blah, Blah, Blah, to the NBT Orchestra and Kala Sangam to RJC Dance Company. NBT Dance Education Officer Caroline Burn says:“We wanted to offer a course that’s really varied and accessible, something fun that anyone could join in with. The Easter Course allows us to take risks and collaborate, which in some cases has led to exciting new partnerships that have created further projects. It’s not just about ballet; we’ve combined it with hip hop, classical Asian dance and drama.” Photos: Young people on the NBT Easter Course. All photos: Brian Slater.

Caroline and NBT Dance Education Officer Sophie Alder have worked together to develop our Easter Courses.

“It gives us a great opportunity to learn about other art forms and work with artists who have a very different approach,” Sophie says.“Often the challenge of how to bring two seemingly very different art forms together can seem daunting, but once you start working with a group of young people things start to fall into place. The process can be exciting, frustrating and exhausting but it’s always really inspiring and rewarding.” This year Caroline teamed up with renowned international composer Philip Feeney, who has built an impressive career composing music for dance. Philip’s relationship with the Company stems back to the Christopher Gable era and more recently he worked with David Nixon to compose the score for Hamlet. “As a composer, I have worked mainly in ballet and dance. The challenges and opportunities of writing music for ballet have since been a constant

inspiration. As musical director of Ballet Central I have a longstanding history of working with younger dancers. I enjoy the dynamic energy of the young people which makes working with them both exciting and unpredictable.” The course will allow participants to create their own unique dance piece to a new score written especially by Philip. Working in collaboration with the music, Caroline and each other, the course will build the confidence and communication skills of participants as well as encouraging them to be creative. The Easter Course dancers will then be amongst the first to perform in NBT’s new building when it opens in 2011. Philip really wants the music to reflect the move to a new home.“I wanted to help celebrate the arrival in a new building of a company I have been long associated with and that I hold in deep affection. The music’s going to be fresh, bright and

purpose-built for the young dancers. It would be nice if it somehow reflects the move to the new building, sowing seeds that will grow and flourish in the new creative space.” This year’s collaboration has presented an exciting challenge for both Caroline and Philip. Philip explains: “Many ballets will have a narrative storyline and much of the structure of the music is determined by the choreographer, whereas on the Easter Course it will be a more dynamic and organic process. The idea is to compose music so that it is ready for the course, but then to be flexible to respond to all the great ideas that will spring from the course.”

inside: Learning & Access

Caroline and NBT Dance Education Officer Sophie Alder have worked together to develop our Easter Courses.

inside: Northern Ballet Theatre Academy

inside is published biannually by Northern Ballet Theatre

Northern Ballet Theatre West Park Centre Spen Lane Leeds LS16 5BE Telephone +44 (0)113 274 5355 Fax +44 (0)113 274 5381 www.northernballettheatre.co.uk

Dance - an extension of who I am

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chris Bailey Dr Jo Butterworth Graham Dewhirst David Forbes (Chair) Susie Hargreaves Alan Harrison Denise Jagger Cath Lennon Councillor John Procter Maxine Room Phil Swallow Victoria Tomlinson Veronica Wadley ARTISTIC DIRECTOR David Nixon CHIEF EXECUTIVE Mark Skipper

At just 16 years old NBT Associate Matthew Koon has had a taste of stardom as a contestant on the Sky 1 hit programme, ‘Got to Dance’. His passion for classical dance, his inspired approach to choreography and his hunger for success suggest that Matthew certainly has a bright future ahead of him, as we found out …

Tell us about being a contestant on ‘Got to Dance’? The whole experience has been very different to anything I’ve ever come across before. It is definitely something I will always remember. It’s an eye opening experience to see just how much work goes on behind the scenes and the amount of input the creative team has to shape the programme. It’s unusual to see so many different dance forms in one competition and I think that is what makes it an adventure to be a contestant. How did your dancing career begin? I’ve been dancing for most of my life, from the age of two. My sister’s dance teacher encouraged me to start classes. When I was 11 years old I played the role of Billy Elliot in the West End musical. That was the first time I ever danced in a professional production in front of such a big audience. It gave me a real taste for performing. What dance form do you enjoy the most? Classical ballet. I love the discipline and the beauty of the art and I also like how it is the foundation of most dance forms.

Why did you want to become an NBT Associate? The quality of the training and the chance to try lots of different dance styles. One of the most valuable things I have gained from being an NBT student is learning how the Company works and seeing Company dancers coming to rehearsals. It’s really unique and inspiring to be in that environment and also such a great experience to watch the Company in class. It gives you a better insight into the profession and helps you to understand the amount of dedication you need. I’d definitely advise other students to become NBT Associates. It’s a great place to learn as it’s always inspiring to dance in a place where an established company has rehearsed. It’s also really encouraging to learn from strong teachers and meet other young people who are passionate about dance. Where do you take inspiration from? I draw inspiration from many different sources as I like to incorporate other styles into my own dancing. I really enjoy Daniil

Simkin’s dancing and also the style of the Chinese classical and contemporary work.

MUSIC DIRECTOR John Pryce-Jones

Main pic: Matthew Koon in rehearsal. Photo: Brian Slater

What advice would you give to other students? Always be self disciplined, take on corrections, strive for excellence and never settle for second best. What are your dancing ambitions for the future? In the short term my dancing ambition is to complete my training in classical ballet and then move into employment in a ballet company. I would love to dance principal or solo roles, but in the long term I think my main ambition is to reach people who are not part of the dance world. I think dance has the ability to break barriers and touch people so that they are inspired. How do you feel when you are dancing? Because of my love of music, dance has always come naturally to me. It is quite hard to explain fully how I feel, but I know that when I dance, it is actually an extension of who I am. With dance I know I can connect with people.

INSIDE EDITORIAL TEAM Laraine Penson Ruth Burke-Kennedy Catherine Mullaney Northern Ballet Theatre is a touring narrative dance company whose distinctive blend of classical dance and theatre is renowned for captivating new audiences. For up to 30 weeks of the year NBT’s company of 40 dancers tour a combination of new work and acclaimed repertory pieces to all four UK countries and overseas.This extensive touring schedule demonstrates NBT’s commitment to providing opportunities for all people to have access to excellence in dance performance and participation.

Print sponsored by Axis 01484 722 732 Designed by Andrassy Design 01484 434844 Supported by: Who have been the biggest influences on your dance journey so far? Definitely my dance teachers at Centrepointe, Caroline Wright, Deborah Norris and Simon Gray. They have always been there to encourage me. To see their enthusiasm and their commitment to my development really inspires me to work hard.

Charity No: 259140 VAT No: 146 6307 66 Company Registration No: 947096 Registered in England and Wales Company limited by guarantee and share capital Please note that information is correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.