Special Focus on Continued Learning
Celebrating National Excellence
Photo: Sadler's Wells
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Head of National Youth Dance Company (England) Hannah Kirkpatrick reflects on this milestone and the impact the programme has on talented young dancers from around England. company their own. There have been so many wonderful moments: From a week watching the dancers improvise with Michael Keegan Dolan as they tried to reach the most natural form of their movement; to listening to them recite the poetry they had written, guided and inspired Hannah Kirkpatrick by Alesandra Seutin; to seeing them feel the beat of house music in their On 8 June 2013, the lights bodies with Sharon Eyal; seeing gradually came up on the their faces the first time Akram Khan Sadler’s Wells stage for National walked into the room and started Youth Dance Company’s first discussing rhythm with them; solving performance, featuring 29 choreographic puzzles and patterns dancers from across the country with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui; being in a new production by Jasmin inspired by a hunger for the world Vardimon. and different cultures with Damien 10 years have passed and where Jalet; learning about the importance of is that cast now? Dancing in leading breath with Jasmin Vardimon; seeing companies like Hofesh Shechter the curiosity in people, technology, Company, Russell Maliphant Dance art, science (everything!) in Wayne Company and Punchdrunk, often McGregor; building an appreciation returning to Sadler’s Wells stages. One of movement and the body and how it recently played the title role in Jasmin Vardimon’s ALiCE (I would have loved exists in light and space with Russell Maliphant. to have told her this ten years ago!). Watching the Guest Artistic One is a junior doctor, one is a roofer, Directors work directly with the one is a fundraiser, one is a fitness company is a truly wonderful thing. coach… There are so many different careers they have gone on to do and we They are masters in their art, shaping are equally proud of every one of them. a new world each time. We see each year of NYDC Along with Jasmin and her team they becoming reflections of the very much paved the way in shaping artists they are working with, the the company as it is now. importance of them as role models is huge and the bar is set high. They Offering unique opportunities The first 10 years of NYDC have been see the dedication and focus in fast paced, action packed and exciting. their choreographers and rehearsal directors and they gain a greater This milestone has given us a chance to reflect and take stock of all that we understanding of what it takes to make dance your career. The have learned. morning after winning his Olivier We have worked with 10 of the Award, Botis Seva was back in the world’s leading choreographers, studio with NYDC for 9am class: gaining a unique insight into that “Didn’t you want to celebrate?”, artist’s world as they make the 44 The One Dance UK Magazine | Spring 2023
“I wanted to be here with you - we have work to do”. Every year NYDC has had its own identity, but something that connects one cohort to the next is the group itself. It is the company’s diversity which is key: 30-40 young people each year, a rabble representing all young dancers, and at an age where they are just teetering on the next phase of their lives. They bring an energy that is unlike anything else and that is incredibly powerful. Assembling a national company A search for new dancers happens annually with Experience Workshops in all areas of England, giving dancers an insight into what NYDC is and how we work. We call them ‘workshops’ rather than ‘auditions’ because at this stage that is what they are: an opportunity to find out more, connect with other people and try something new. From these workshops around 70 dancers are then invited to an audition at Sadler’s Wells and from here the new Guest Artistic Director chooses their company. What are we looking for? The answer to that age old question that is hard to put into words. Their approach is key: we are looking for people who love dance and are excited to try something new. We are obviously looking for talent and potential too but sometimes that can be seen in someone who spends much of the class hiding in the corner because it all feels so unknown but then shows something so beautiful and unique whilst they are improvising, you know that with the right encouragement they could be excellent.
