A Global Conversation About Career Transition

A letter from our Executive Director, Jennifer Curry

Photo: IOTPD delegates, including DCD's Jennifer Curry, at the annual meeting in Toronto

Taking an active part in the global conversation around career transition for dancers has always been a key aspect of DCD’s work and it is a privilege to have the opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded, courageous individuals who are committed to delivering the best possible support for professional dancers who are navigating career transition. Each year, representatives from Transition Centres around the world, who together form the International Organisation for the Transition of Professional Dancers (IOTPD), come together to discuss trends, challenges and to ask questions of ourselves and each other, always with the aim of ensuring a cohesive and global voice for dancers. This year representatives from France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, South Korea, America, Poland, Belgium, Canada, UK and the Czech Republic came together at the Dancer Transition Resource Centre, in Toronto, Canada.

Photo: Panel at the LEAP Together Conference in Toronto

The IOTPD meeting was preceded by the Leap Together: Career and Life Transitions in Dance and Sport, an international conference devoted to exploring the intersection of transition issues for professional dancers and athletes; an incredibly valuable opportunity to explore partnerships and opportunities. I am eager to continue these conversations with partners in the UK moving forward.

I always come away from these meetings inspired by the ongoing commitment of our colleagues and by the new approaches, programmes and ways of working that are being established around the world, many of which we will be looking to take inspiration from and in some cases implement in the UK.

It is also a moment for me to reflect on the many achievements of DCD over the last year and how we continue to drive forward in our ambitious programme of work at the organisation. This could not have been achieved without the remarkable work of the team at DCD, including our Coaches and volunteers, who work tirelessly to ensure that we remain an agile, creative and fearless organisation. A very special thanks to the DCD Board of Trustees, led by Chair Zoe van Zwanenberg and members of our Grants Committee and Gala Committee, for their commitment, energy and hard work. I thank you all wholeheartedly.

There is much more to be done and in 2017 we will be continuing our focus on key programmes, such as our Nationwide Coaching Programme and the development of our Schools and Conservatoires Programme, amongst others. We also look forward to welcoming you to our Fundraising Gala – An American in Paris on the 15 March, which will raise much needed funds for independent dancers across the UK (tickets are selling fast so reserve yours now by emailing laurajane@thedcd.org.uk)

Thank you all for your unwavering support for DCD and the dancers that we serve. We would not be able to continue our work without the support of our many committed funders and supporters including our contributing companies, whose support enables DCD to offer life-changing opportunities for dancers across the UK.

We look forward to working closely with you all in 2017.

With all best wishes for the festive season,

Jennifer

Jennifer Curry

Executive Director, Dancers' Career Development

DCD Transition Centre Christmas Opening Hours

Please note that the DCD Transition Centre will be closed for the Christmas break from end of business hours on Tuesday 20 December and will re-open on Tuesday 3 January 2017.

Enjoy the festive break!

What Makes a Leader?

Photo: from left to right - Gosia Dzierzon, Sharon Armstrong-Williams, Georgina Wadham, Dane Hurst and DCD's Ellen Chambers

Over 25 dancers gathered at DCD’s Transition Centre for our Clore Open Afternoon and Q&A, to learn and be inspired by the Clore Leadership Programme’s Dance Fellowship, Emerging Leaders and Short Courses.

Questions discussed included application criteria and what makes a leader.

Participants heard first-hand from Sharon Armstrong-Williams, Fellowship Manager and Georgina Wadham, Partnerships and Development Co-ordinator at The Clore Leadership Programme, as well as Clore Dance Fellow Gosia Dzierzon and Dane Hurst, who completed the Clore Short Course.

DCD, with support from the Linbury Trust, offers bursaries for independent and company dancers to undertake the Clore Leadership Programme's Dance Fellowship, Emerging Leaders and Short Courses.

If you’d like to find out more about applying for one of these programmes, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with The Clore Leadership Programme.

You can see live commentary and questions answered from the day at #DCDClore.

DCD at London Studio Centre

In November, DCD’s Dancer Support and Services Officer, Ellen Chambers, spoke on a panel at London Studio Centre to students from across the year groups on the subject of career transition.

The panel was hosted by DCD Supported Dancer Jo Meredith and also featured DCD Supported Dancer Kevin Muscat.

We look forward to working with London Studio Centre again in the near future.