Author: Ceri Brierley

Angela Rippon CBE joins Dancers’ Career Development as Patron

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“Throughout my life I have witnessed how incredibly talented, dedicated and diligent dancers can be, how adaptable they are and the great benefits they bring to society. I’ve also experienced the many health, social and emotional benefits that dance brings to one’s life. I am delighted to be joining Dancers’ Career Development, and to have the opportunity to support their ambitions, and strengthen the personal and professional futures of so many talented individuals.”
Angela Rippon CBE

Dancers’ Career Development (DCD) is ambitious for dancers’ futures. For over 50 years the charity has enabled and empowered dancers to build sustainable, rewarding careers within and beyond the creative sector, after they retire from the stage. With DCD’s assistance, former dancers are now excelling in leadership roles within the arts, as well as in fields as diverse as law, medicine, academia, media, hospitality, technology, finance and horticulture.

“We are delighted to welcome Angela as DCD’s newest Patron. Angela’s charitable and advocacy work will help strengthen our voice amongst policymakers and influencers, to shine a light on dancers’ value to society, both within the arts and beyond. Angela joins talented artist Christopher Wheeldon OBE at a pivotal moment in our charity’s history, as we build on 50 impactful years supporting dancers from all dance genres, and look ahead with vigour and renewed ambition for dancers’ futures.”
Charles Glanville, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dancers’ Career Development

“We are so excited to welcome Angela as DCD’s new Patron. Angela’s passion, understanding and admiration of dance and dancers, alongside her dynamic spirit, will bring fresh energy and a wealth of experience to DCD. Angela’s commitment to our fundraising ambitions, partnership building and profile-raising is testament to her generosity and vision. We look forward to working closely together in support of dancers nationally.”
Vanessa Lefrancois, Executive Director, Dancers’ Career Development

DCD engages with 1500+ dancers per year, through career coaching, mentoring, workshops, one-to-one consultations and networking, awarding 94 retraining grants last year to dancers taking their next career step.

Dancers add exceptional value to employers and society, due to their varied and transferable skillsets and qualities. Dancers are effective communicators and collaborators, creative, resilient and industrious high-achievers. DCD’s expert advice and interventions retain talent in the performing arts sector, nurturing the next generation of dance teachers and artistic directors, whilst preparing others to enter new professions and industries.

Angela joins award winning Director and Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon OBE as a DCD Patron, to advocate for the charity and the nation’s dancers.

DCD depends on fundraising to deliver its services. If you would like to find out more about our fundraising efforts, please get in touch with Jen Warner: jen.warner@thedcd.org.uk who will be delighted to hear from you.

Caroline Miller OBE

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Our sincere thoughts and support go out to Caroline’s family, friends and colleagues.

Through her role at BRB, one of DCD’s Partner Companies, we had the privilege of working closely with Caroline – a leader with the most incredible amounts of passion, vision and joy. Throughout our team we fondly remember the impact she made both at BRB and across the dance sector through her previous roles.

Charles Glanville, Chair of Dancers’ Career Development, said: “Dancers’ Career Development and Birmingham Royal Ballet are close partners, working together to support BRB’s dancers. We are so sorry to hear that our good friend at BRB, Caroline Miller OBE, has passed away.  Caroline was such a live wire, as well as incredibly good at her job. She will very much be missed.”

Vanessa Lefrancois, Executive Director of DCD said “I first met Caroline when she led Dance UK. I was struck immediately by her incredible energy and passion for dance, which radiated from her and was a driving force behind her multiple accomplishments. Her vision, boldness and tenacity in her role at BRB introduced ballet to new audiences from Glastonbury Festival to Black Sabbath fans. Caroline was a great advocate for the sector, dancers and DCD. We are deeply saddened by Caroline’s passing; dance has lost a true friend, champion and trailblazer – she will be missed by all at DCD.” 

To read more about Caroline’s incredible legacy, and to offer condolences, head to BRB’s website: https://www.brb.org.uk/stories/caroline-miller

Save the Date!

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50th Anniversary Inspiration Day

Monday 11 November 2024

Rich Mix, London

This one-day event will examine current and future topics around career development for dancers via a mix of guest speakers, panel discussions, inspirational stories, networking opportunities and a market-place of industry experts – with some added pop-up creativity to fuel our conversations.

The day will be relevant to both dancers (at any career stage) and anyone who supports the career development of dancers, including Producers, Artistic Directors and Educators. It will provide connections with DCD and our current grant-giving and support programmes.

As DCD comes to the end of its 50th year, during which time it has awarded training grants to over 2,500 dancers, this day will enable us to continue supporting the career development of dancers today and into the future, in the most appropriate ways possible. We will look back, sharing the learnings and wisdom of dancers we’ve supported to date, address the here and now of challenges and opportunities currently facing dancers, and discover what new support may be required to future-proof our incredible community.

Please join us to consider, progress and celebrate the boundless potential of our dance community.

Full programme and timings to be announced.

For updates, please follow DCD on social media or sign up to receive our enewsletter.

The Inspiration Day forms part of DCD’s 50th Anniversary programme and follows Inspiration Events held recently in Leeds, Swindon and Birmingham, in partnership with Yorkshire Dance, Swindon Dance, The Jam Festival and Sampad. This Event is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Career Inspiration Event in Leeds

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DCD is ambitious for dancers’ futures.

The Inspiration Event Leeds will include a morning workshop with Nicolette Wilson-Clarke, plus an awesome afternoon line-up of artists performing, speaking and sharing films and stories, including Company Chameleon and Northern Ballet.

When:                 Friday 7 June, 10am-5pm

For those unable to join us for the full day it is possible to attend the morning only (workshop) 10am-1.30pm or afternoon only (panel, film, performance, networking) 2.30-5pm. This choice can be indicated when booking.

Where:               Yorkshire Dance

Booking:             Click here

Cost:                    FREE

The morning workshop will use a combination of self exploration, partner work, gentle movement and coaching exercises, to offer insight into tools that can support creating a sustainable practice, with self compassion.

In the afternoon, a panel of speakers will discuss their careers in dance and beyond, and how they’ve forged their own unique pathways. Panel line-up: Dickson Mbi, Anthony Missen, Sandrine Monin, Pippa Moore MBE and Kevin Edward Turner.

The event will be an opportunity for dancers to learn more about the career development programmes and retraining grants DCD offers for dancers, and to talk informally with members of staff. It will also be an opportunity for dancers to connect with peers and reflect on their individual career trajectories; as well as to consider and explore new opportunities, in order to realise their full potential.

The Career Inspiration Event is FREE and bursaries are available for travel, childcare and accessibility needs or adjustments. Bursaries can be applied for when booking. The venue is wheelchair accessible. If you have any questions please contact: dancers@thedcd.org.uk 

Keep an eye on our socials for further updates.

The Inspiration Event forms part of DCD’s 50th Anniversary programme and follows similar events held recently in Swindon and Birmingham, in partnership with Swindon Dance, The Jam Festival and Sampad. This Event is delivered in partnership with Yorkshire Dance and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, and by the Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund.

DCD at The Jam Festival, Swindon, April 2024

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The evening event includes an awesome line-up of artists performing, speaking and sharing films and stories. Artists confirmed to date include Bellatrix, Jamaal O’Driscoll, Niquelle LaTouche and Max Revell aka Silk Boogie, with Luke Lentes facilitating a panel discussion. 

The Jam Festival takes place annually at Swindon Dance. An incredible, international celebration of underground dance, the festival comprises a packed week of workshops with top-tier street dancers, battles and other events. 2024 Programme highlights include New Kidz On The Block, Let There Be Lite and West Country Clash. The festival takes place 2-6 April. 

DCD’s Inspiration evening, on Tuesday 2 April (the opening evening of the festival), is open to both festival attendees and any dancer wishing to find out more about DCD, learn from and network with fellow artists. 

Alongside inspiring performances, a panel of speakers will discuss their careers in dance, hip-hop and beyond, and how they’ve forged their own unique paths. The evening will also be an opportunity for dancers to learn more about DCD, our grants for dancers, other forms of support and to talk informally with members of staff. 

In partnership with The Jam Festival and Swindon Dance, the Inspiration Evening forms part of DCD’s 50th Anniversary programme. It will be a relaxed social event and is free for dancers to attend. 

 We look forward to releasing further details very soon! Keep an eye on our socials and website, or sign up to our enewsletter for updates.  

When: Tuesday 2 April, 7-10pm 

Where: Swindon Dance 

Booking: Via Swindon Dance.

Cost: Individual event is free to attend. If attending the full festival, charges apply, see Swindon Dance website for further details. 

DCD’s Inspiration Evening is delivered in partnership with The Jam Festival and Swindon Dance and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. 

DCD recognised in 50th year with Dance Changemaker Award

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We congratulate all those recognised with awards and nominations, it is an honour to be in your company.  

Executive Director Vanessa Lefrancois says:  

“We are delighted to have been given this award, in recognition of the ongoing impact and importance of DCD’s work across the dance sector.  

DCD is here for all dancers – from every dance genre, every background, across the UK and at every career stage – to offer career development support.  

We are thrilled to be a part of this year’s awards, celebrating the excellence and diversity in our sector, and offer our congratulations to all involved.” 

The Dance Changemaker Award recognises bold, brave, and impactful individuals or organisations that have driven progress across our dance ecology. This can include improving access to dance and championing diversity and inclusion. 

We are delighted to accept this award during our 50th Anniversary Year, and we dedicate it to the real changemakers: the extraordinary dancers we walk alongside every day while they take courageous and bold steps to create fulfilling and thriving post-performance careers, both within dance and beyond. It is a privilege to witness your journeys.