Dear Supporter, welcome to your Summer 2017 newsletter!

DCD Alumni Celebration Events - coming to a city near you

If you missed our London Alumni Celebration drinks earlier this summer, not to worry - we're coming to Glasgow, Leeds and Birmingham in September to connect with dancers and celebrate your amazing transition journeys!

These are free events, open to all dancers, from all genres and at any stage of your career, as well as to all those involved in dance in or around Glasgow, Leeds and Birmingham - informal gatherings with some (free!) drinks, nibbles and inspiration!

"It was a lovely event and I feel inspired and connected to a whole new set of opportunities." DCD supported dancer who attended our London 2017 Alumni Celebration Event

We'll be at:

Saramago Café Bar at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow on 1 September
The Hendricks Room at The Maven in Leeds on 11 September
The Distillery in Birmingham on 14 September

We'd love to see as many of our friends and DCD supported dancers there as possible as well as those who don't yet know DCD - so RSVP today and bring a friend!

RSVP - Come join the party!

Check out more reactions and pics from our London 2017 Alumni Celebration Event at #IamDCD - thank you to all those who came along!

Last few days of EVOLVE Glasgow early bird offer!

Dancers, don't miss the chance to get your early bird tickets to DCD’s EVOLVE Glasgow on 2 September.

EVOLVE is a full day workshop for all professional dancers exploring life after a dance career, offering practical tools, insight and inspiration.

Come to be inspired and learn how to manage a lifelong career beyond performance.

DCD supported dancers Tanya Richam-Odoi, a freelance dancer and now Craniosacral Therapist and Mark Kimmett, formerly of Scottish Ballet and Rambert and now currently studying to be a Person Centred Therapist, will be sharing their own personal experiences of transition.

Date: Saturday 2 September 2017 (one to one consultations and coaching sessions available Friday 1 September)
Time: 9:30am - 5:00pm
Venue: Scottish Ballet, Tramway, Albert Drive, Glasgow G41 2PE
Facilitated by: Jo Wright, DCD Coach
Price: Early bird: £30 until 18th August, Full price: £35 - includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

Please contact us on 020 7831 1449 or ellen@thedcd.org.uk if cost is a barrier to you attending. Limited subsidised places are available.

Book Here

DCD is delivering EVOLVE in partnership with DCD Contributing Company, Scottish Ballet, Dance House Glasgow and The Work Room.

This programme is kindly supported by the Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund.

Personal Resilience Training for Dancers

DCD is excited to pilot a unique training programme developed by ACT3 Psychology, which is designed to provide professional dancers with psychological skills to help them navigate the challenges of their career.

Organisational and Coaching Psychologists Jaimie Persson and Ross McIntosh tackle this sticky question using cutting edge, evidence based, behavioural science.

We will be delivering interactive workshops for The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet this summer.

The sessions will introduce and offer practice in key psychological skills linked to significant improvements in psychological health, performance and an energised sense of life purpose.

Spend a day at Facebook HQ

There are a few last places left for dancers at DCD's exclusive career training day at Facebook’s Headquarters in London on 25 September.

This full day session is a free event, open to all dancers across the UK planning for or navigating career transition.

You will hear first hand from Facebookers from different departments across the company about their own experience of career change, including former dancer Leigh Thomas, now Director of Global Client Partnerships at Facebook.

You will also learn practical ways to build your own business on Facebook, creative applications, advertising and practical marketing tools and tips.

Spaces are filling up fast - don't miss this unique opportunity!

Apply by 4 September.

Apply Now!

Congratulations to our friend Emma Flett of Flett Films and DCD's 'A Dancer's Journey', on her latest release, 'Joel's Story'! Watch it here:

Exciting job opportunity at DCD!

We're looking for a Fundraising Officer to join our growing team.

This is a new post within DCD’s core team. This individual will lead on all aspects of income generation for the charity; maximising DCD’s income through the maintenance and development of a diverse range of funding pools. The post-holder will also have the opportunity to lead on the management of a dynamic programme of activities for DCD Patrons, a new programme which launched in March 2017. The Fundraising Officer will communicate an inspiring fundraising narrative reflecting the strategic priorities, needs and motivations of both DCD and its supporters. This post offers huge scope for being directly involved in shaping and delivering DCD’s fundraising strategy moving forward.

This is an exciting and pivotal time at which to join DCD as we are finalising a re-brand (including a new website) to ensure we can actively pursue our ambition to change dancers’ lives.

Flexible working

This post is based on 24 hours per week. The expectation is that the candidate will work one full day per week at the transition centre. The remaining 16 hours will be worked remotely from home, allowing the employee flexibility to split this time as suits their needs, and the emerging requirements of the role.

Applications

If you wish to apply for the post, please complete the Application Form and Equal Opportunities monitoring form and send it to recruitment@thedcd.org.uk.

Application deadline: 9am Monday 25 September 2017
Shortlisted applicants will be notified on Wednesday 27 September 2017
Interviews will be held: Friday 29 September 2017

For enquiries please contact Jennifer Curry, Executive Director on Jennifer@thedcd.org.uk or 020 7831 1449.

Apply Here

DCD Team News

Photo credit: DCD supported dancer Lindsey Brook

We bid a fond farewell to our book-keeper Philip Philipose after an incredible 21 years with DCD. Philip has been, and always will be, a huge part of DCD's journey and will be greatly missed by all.

We are at the same time delighted to welcome Katharine Lane to the team, as our new Administrator. Katharine is a wonderful addition to our growing team, and is already making a huge impact on the smooth running of DCD!

'Making Time for Future You'

Check out this piece in Arts Professional, which takes a look at coaching for creatives, including DCD's coaching programme for dancers.

Steph Vidal-Hall explores the role coaching has to play in building confidence and helping artists make it to the top.

Read Article

DCD supported dancer and choreographer Jenna Lee shares this video of Darcey Bussell CBE coaching Jenna’s new ballet 'The Four Seasons' for New English Ballet Theatre's 2017 company. Enjoy!

Thinking of applying for a Financial Retraining Grant?

The next deadline is:

8 November 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.

Find out more

Photo credit: DCD supported dancer Andrew Ross

Phil Sanger - DCD Transition Tales

Phil has performed works by some of the UK and Europe’s most established choreographers including Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Robert Cohan, Charlotte Vincent and Luca Silvestrini. He has worked within numerous dance companies such as Phoenix Dance Theatre, Denada Dance Theatre and Yorke Dance Project. With DCD's support, Phil has retrained as a qualified Life Coach and a specialist in personal and professional development.

"I have learned that there are no limits. Dance training prepares us for much more than movement.”

Read Phil's story here

Photo credit: Richard Moran

DCD Supported Dancer Study

DCD supported dancer Tama Barry is undertaking two studies on the psychological effects of injury, as well as female athletes’ body image.

Tama was previously a Principal Dancer with Scottish Ballet, and now studies Psychology at the University of Queensland.

If you’d like to take part in the studies, click on the links below. Participants should be currently working at an elite level.

Study 1

Study 2

UMANOOVE Auditions

DCD supported dancer Didy Veldman is holding auditions for her second independent creation with 5 professional dancers.

The audition will be held on Tuesday 22 August 2017.

Interested applicants should email a CV plus head-shot and a maximum of two video links to umanoove@gmail.com

Working period in London UK: w/c 30 Oct until 8 Dec.’17 and 22 Jan. until 9 Feb. ’18 with performances in Feb ’18 and Nov. ’18 throughout the UK and Scotland.

Find out more

Photo credit: Gregory Batardon

Are you a DCD supported dancer? We'd love to know what you're up to!

Get in touch

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.

Donate now

Coming Up...