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Dear Supporter, welcome to your June 2016 newsletter!
DCD to Partner with BBC Young Dancer 2017
As the BBC launches its search for the next generation of dance talent, opening applications for BBC Young Dancer 2017, Dancers’ Career Development (DCD) is delighted to be providing confidential, bespoke career transition support to the finalists of the Competition.
This follows the success of the first ever competition last year, and the aftercare support package DCD provided for the six finalists of the inaugural BBC Young Dancer 2015.
The BBC is now inviting young dancers to submit entries in four categories: Ballet, Contemporary, South Asian Dance and Street Dance.
The winner from each category and up to two wild cards will earn a place in the Grand Final at Sadler’s Wells which will be televised live on BBC Two. The Grand Final will be judged by a leading panel of dance experts, to be announced.
Through the individual coaching sessions and group workshops which will be provided by DCD, the BBC Young Dancer finalists will have the opportunity to pause and reflect upon their remarkable achievements to date, both individually and with each other. The finalists will also have the opportunity to meet with and hear first-hand from professional dancers who are currently performing as well as those who have successfully transitioned into a post-performance career.
Jan Younghusband, Head of Commissioning, Music Television, said: “BBC Young Dancer has put dance centre stage on our screens, and we are thrilled to continue the search for the next generation of dance talent. It’s fantastic to see how the competition has given a platform for last year’s entrants, most of whom have embarked upon careers within the dance sector. We can’t wait to showcase another group of exceptional young people to audiences when Young Dancer reaches its broadcast stages next year.”
Jennifer Curry, DCD Executive Director, said: "We are incredibly excited to be continuing our partnership with BBC Young Dancer into 2017. The psychological and emotional support provided by DCD will enable the finalists to realise their potential and to explore, share, dare and dream about their future".
Photo credit: BBC Young Dancer 2015 - Picture Shows: (L-R) Harry Barnes, Archie Sullivan, Connor Scott, Jacob O'Connell, Vidya Patel, Kieran Lai - (C) BBC - Photographer: Ellis Parrinder
Huge Response to First Ever DCD Alumni Event
We are delighted to be hosting our first ever DCD Alumni Celebration event on 19 July at a glamorous London West End venue.
This is a free event and will be an evening of fun and celebration with the chance to connect with other DCD supported dancers and mark their incredible transition journey.
Within less than a week of invitations being sent out, we've been overwhelmed with the amazing response from our alumni.
Please note that the guest list for this event is now closed.
Thank you for all the kind messages and lovely wishes for the event that we've received.
We’re so excited to have this opportunity to reconnect with our alumni!
West End Bake Off is Back!
This year’s West End Bake Off, in aid of Acting For Others, will be on Saturday 16 July.
DCD is a member charity of Acting for Others. Some contributions from Acting for Others fundraising events go directly towards supporting independent professional dancers.
Come and show your support at 11am - 1pm, at St Anne's Church Courtyard, London W1D 6AF.
‘New Ways To Work’ Pilot Scheme Announced for Professional Actors, Dancers and Performers
The Equity Charitable Trust, Dancers’ Career Development and Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund, have come together to launch a pilot scheme, entitled ‘New Ways To Work’, which runs over the summer of 2016.
There will be sessions with Simonne Gnessen, a leading financial coach at Wise Monkey, and workshops on Career Strategy and Setting Up Your Own Business, conducted by one of the UK's leading Executive Career Coaches Zena Everett. There will also be guidance on job searching, Social Media and CV writing. The aim is to equip professional actors, performers and dancers with the skills they need at various life stages to enable them to achieve a reasonable standard of living.
Places on the Pilot have already been allocated but we will keep you posted about future opportunities.
Equity Charitable Trust (ECT), Dancers’ Career Development (DCD) and Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund (RBBF) share a rich history of partnership and a shared mission of providing support to professional actors and dancers, respectively.
For further information about the partner organisations, check out the ECT, DCD, and RBBF websites.
Have You Booked Your Place for EVOLVE 2016 Yet?
EVOLVE is a full day workshop giving you the chance to explore career transition with confidence and positivity.
Next coming to:
London - Saturday 10 September, in partnership with DCD Contributing Company Richard Alston Dance Company at The Place
Birmingham - Monday 31 October, in partnership with DCD Contributing Company Birmingham Royal Ballet
Open to dancers from all genres of professional dance – from classical, contemporary to musical theatre and commercial.
DCD would like to express our sadness at the news of the passing of Alexander J. Dubé on May 19, 2016.
Alex led the USA’s Career Transition For Dancers, first as Executive Director and then as President, from 2001 – 2015. A former dancer, manager, and advocate for better working and socio-economic conditions for dancers, Alex’s concern and compassion for dancers was at the forefront of all he did.
Alex will be greatly missed by all his IOTPD colleagues.
Daniel Pascal-Turner - DCD Transition Tales
Daniel worked as a professional dancer for 10 years in musical theatre, after attending The BRIT School and Laine theatre arts. With DCD's support, Daniel has gone on to forge a hugely successful career as a womenswear designer, having recently showcased his collection during London and Paris Fashion Weeks.
"Being a dancer is a real privilege and achievement. If you’ve succeeded once in achieving your dream, I guarantee you can do it again".
Photo credit: Daniel Pascal-Turner
Are you a DCD supported dancer? We'd love to know what you're up to!
Thinking of applying for a Financial Retraining Grant?
The next deadline is Wednesday 17 August 2016 at 5pm.
Make sure you book your one to one consultation at least one week before you submit your application!
For more information or to arrange a consultation in person, over the telephone or via Skype, please contact Ellen or call us on 020 7831 1449 to discuss your plans.
Photo credit: DCD supported dancer Andrew Ross
New Postgraduate Loans from August 2016
If you're considering postgraduate studies, a new government backed post-graduate loan is becoming available for Masters degree students from 1 August this year.
You may be able to get a Postgraduate Loan of up to £10,000 to help with course fees and living costs.
Applications open from late June.
Have You Donated to boundless?
DCD is raising funds to provide two Financial Retraining Grants, allowing professional independent dancers to expand upon their unique skills and strengths and gain additional experience and expertise in the career field of their choice.
No donations too large or small and all very gratefully received! A big thank you to all those who have already donated.
Coming Up...
- 23 June - Deadline for applications for The Clore Leadership Programme's next two residential Short Courses and two Emerging Leaders courses (DCD, with support from The Linbury Trust, is offering one bursary for the Clore Short Course and two bursaries for the Clore Emerging Leaders Course in 2016/17 for independent and company dancers)
- 16 July - West End Bake off in aid of Acting for Others
- 19 July - DCD's first ever Alumni Celebration Event
- 17 August - Financial Retraining Grant deadline
- 10 September - EVOLVE London
- 11 September - Spotlight 10k Challenge in aid of Acting for Others
- 19 September - DCD Workshop for The Royal Ballet School third year students
- 17 & 24 October - Official Acting for Others theatre collection weeks
- 31 October - EVOLVE Birmingham
Thank you
Dancers' Career Development is kindly supported by the following Contributing Companies:
Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Northern Ballet, Rambert Dance
Company, Richard Alston Dance Company, Scottish Ballet and The Royal Ballet
The Dancers' Career Development Independent Trust is generously supported
by:
The Linbury Trust, The Society of London Theatre, Equity Charitable Trust,
The Rudolf Nureyev Foundation, Acting for Others,
The Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund and The Mackintosh Foundation.