Dance leaders call for re-branding of Dance

26 emerging and future dance leaders representing 13 nationalities, chosen for their potential to inspire and move forward leadership of dance companies met in Suffolk this weekend, 6 - 8 January 2012, and called for dance to be re-branded to break away from dance form fragmentation.

The Rural Retreats, produced by DanceEast, focused on the challenges faced and skills-set needed by Artistic Directors in dance, and tackled the major problem of the lack of training and formal professional development for Artistic Directors.

Guest speakers who are leading figures in advertising, sport and the arts shared their experiences, including Sir John Hegarty, Worldwide Creative Director and Founder of advertising agency, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, Daniel Topolski, writer, broadcaster and former Olympic rowing coach, Alistair Spalding, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Sadler’s Wells; David McAllister AM, Artistic Director of Australian Ballet; Carrie Cracknell, co-Artistic Director of the Gate and Kathleen Soriano, Director of Exhibitions, Royal Academy of Arts.

Inspired by Sir John Hegarty who talked about his experience leading world famous advertising campaigns including the Levi’s commercial starring Nick Kamen, and for introducing the phrase ‘Vorsprung Durch Technik’ for Audi to the British public – the group of future leaders agreed collectively that dance needs to re-brand under one umbrella, 'Brand Dance', to inspire and communicate dance as an inclusive, relevant and accessible art form – tackling its elitist image.

Christopher Hampson, Artistic Director designate of Scottish Ballet and Emily Molnar, Artistic Director of Ballet British Columbia, spoke on behalf of those who talk part in the retreat at a reception held in the House of Commons today, Monday 9 January. They said:

‘We are 26 future leaders in dance from across the globe discussing the future of DANCE, and when we say DANCE we mean DANCE in all its forms. As a group we’ve discovered a shared purpose and readiness to embrace the opportunity for change.’

The weekend ended with a heated debate which asked the delegates to vote on whether dance leaders are born or made. The group was split, but the final vote went in favour of leaders being ‘made’.

Assis Carreiro, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of DanceEast said: ‘I was overwhelmed by the passion, rigour and huge intelligence shared by all 26 participants who came together this weekend. It was an intensive time of deep thinking, inspirational guest speakers and a very unique opportunity to come together to share so much in a very nurturing environment filled with camaraderie, nonstop discussion and commitment to dance. I am so proud to be producing an initiative that is very needed by the art form.’

The 26 emerging and aspiring artistic leaders and producers are:

• Nova Bhattacharya (Canada) - Artistic Director at Ipsita Nova Dance Projects
• Amanda Britton (UK) - Head of Academic Studies at Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance 
• Mathias Bruehlmann (Germany) – Ballet Master and Choreographic Assistant at Staatsoper Hannover 
• Daniela Cardim (Brazil) – Former Dutch National Ballet dancer, Independent Choreographer and BA Arts Management undergraduate 
• Claire Cunningham (UK) – Independent Choreographer and rehearsal director 
• Robert Curran (Australia) – Australian Ballet, Principal Artist & Bachelor of Business Studies undergraduate 
• Joce Giles (UK) - Head of Learning & Participation, Rambert Dance Company, MA in Cultural Leadership
• Christopher Hampson (UK) – Choreographer and Artistic Director designate, Scottish Ballet
• Gabor Kapin (Hungary/USA) - Carolina Ballet, Principal Dancer
• Ingrid Lorentzen (Norway) – Artistic Director designate Norwegian National Ballet
• Steven McRae (UK/Australia) – The Royal Ballet, Principal Dancer and Business Management-Leadership undergraduate
• Bastian Manders (The Netherlands) – former dancer and Theatre Production Management undergraduate
• Jorden Morris (Canada) - Independent Choreographer
• Matjash Mrozewski (Canada) - Independent Choreographer
• Etta Murfitt (UK) - Associate Director, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures 
• Cameron McMillan (UK/New Zealand) - Independent Choreographer and Associate Artist, DanceEast 
• Emily Molnar (Canada) - Artistic Director of Ballet British Columbia
• Tamas Nagy (Holland/Hungary) - Dutch National Ballet, Principal Dancer 
• Christina Polychroniadou (Greece) - Cultural project manager 
• Robert Parker (UK) – Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal and new Artistic Director of Elmhurst School for Dance.
• Keith Roberts (USA) – Former dancer with American Ballet Theater and Twyla Tharp 
• Viacheslav Samodurov (Russia/UK) –  New Artistic Director of Ekaterinburg Ballet,  Choreographer and former Principal Dancer, The Royal Ballet
• Clara Barberá Tomas (Spain) - Independent Choreographer, former Rambert Dance Company dancer
• Beate Vollack (Germany) - Independent Choreographer and former Principal dancer Munich Ballet 
• Jessica Ward (UK) – Principal, Elmhurst School for Dance 
• Alexander Whitley (UK) – Independent choreographer and dancer Wayne McGregor | Random Dance

Since 2003 DanceEast’s Retreats have brought guest speakers from the worlds of business, sport and the arts to interface with existing and future dance leaders. Previous guest speakers have included ex-England Football Manager Graham Taylor, Random House’s Gail Rebuck, and David Lan (Young Vic) and Nick Hytner (Royal National Theatre).

DanceEast’s Rural Retreat 2012 is made possible through the support of the Jerwood Charitable Foundation, Tezmae Trust, Best Western Ufford Park Hotel, Golf and Spa, Harlequin Floors and Arts Council England.

For further press information, to arrange interviews or photos please contact Caroline Miller 07980 675137 or email caroline@danceuk.org

Photo: Eammon Mccabe