Dear Supporter, welcome to your Christmas 2017 newsletter!

Christopher Wheeldon OBE Announced as New DCD Patron

Photo: From left to right - DCD Chair Zoe Van Zwanenberg; Leanne Benjamin AM OBE; and Christopher Wheeldon OBE at DCD's Christmas event at Bentley & Skinner

We’re thrilled to announce Christopher Wheeldon OBE as a new DCD Patron.

“I’m proud to be Patron of such an extraordinary organisation. Dancers’ Career Development’s support for dance artists across the UK, including so many dancers I’ve worked with, is vital for our industry. I would encourage all dancers, no matter what genre or stage of career, to reach out to DCD to find the right direction forward after a professional career.” Christopher Wheeldon OBE

The exciting news was shared with guests at our glittering Christmas drinks event for DCD funders and supporters, held in the beautiful showroom of Bentley & Skinner of Mayfair, Fine Jewellers by Royal Appointment.

Special thanks to Sainsbury’s, Bentley & Skinner for their generous support for the event, and to all those who help make our work supporting dancers possible.

Bentley & Skinner have created an exclusive and generous seasonal offer especially for DCD supporters, offering a 10% discount on any purchase made until the New Year. Bentley & Skinner will then also make a matched donation of 10% of the sale value to DCD from every purchase.

This could be the perfect Christmas gift and every purchase made will directly support our work, supporting dancers in 2018 and beyond.

26 December 2017 - Boxing Day Listening

Tune into BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today Programme’ early on 26 December Boxing Day morning when DCD Partner Company English National Ballet’s Artistic Director Tamara Rojo is guest editor on the programme. Tamara will be discussing dancer transition and the programme will include interviews with DCD supported dancers! (or catch up on BBC iplayer if you’re sleeping off your Christmas sherry!)

BBC iplayer

Watch DCD’s Facebook Inspiration and Training Day Highlights Reel

Have a sneak peek at what happened when we brought over 60 professional dancers into Facebook’s London HQ, as part of DCD’s Career Insights Programme.

Dancers were given first hand insights into HR recruiting for people changing careers, personal accounts of career transitions from professionals working in motorsports, opera and dance as well as practical tools and guidance on using social media in leveraging your next project.

Watch this space for next year’s programme!

Join the DCD Team

DCD are seeking an exceptional individual to join our team as Administrator.

This is a challenging and varied role with three core areas of responsibility: office management and administration, finance and HR.

We are seeking a self-motivating, proactive and agile individual who is an accountable team player. You will be joining a supportive and collaborative team and if you bring a can-do attitude, there will be considerable scope to develop this role.

Please pass this opportunity onto someone who you think might be interested, or submit your Application to Jennifer Curry, DCD Executive Director, by 5pm Monday 15 January 2018. Shortlisted applicants will be notified on Wednesday 17 January 2018. Interviews will be held on Friday 19 January 2018.

Find out more and apply here

EVOLVE West End - Snapshot

Photo credit: DCD supported dancer Becky Lee

Here's a look at our latest EVOLVE workshop, held at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London's West End.

Huge thanks to all who came along as well as to DCD supported dancers who shared their own stories of career transition, former Birmingham Royal Ballet dancer Kristen McGarrity, who is now performing in the hit West End musical An American in Paris; and former musical theatre dancer and now sound engineering student, Nick Searle.

Look out for details of our 2018 EVOLVE workshops!

Look out for an exciting new look for DCD and new website we’ll be launching in the New Year to make accessing DCD support even easier!

Dancers – DCD support and free workshops coming up in 2018…sign up now!

Coaching

16, 23, 30 January 2018 - Coaching in London
22 January 2018 - Coaching in Birmingham
12 February 2018 - Coaching in Glasgow
Dates TBC, but you can still register your interest now for Coaching in Leeds!

Email dancers@thedcd.org.uk to sign up!

DCD Coaching

2018 Retraining Grants Deadlines

5pm, 28 February 2018 - DCD Retraining Grant deadline
5pm, 25 July 2018 - DCD Retraining Grant deadline
5pm, 7 November 2018 - DCD Retraining Grant deadline

Make sure you book your one to one consultation at least one week before you submit your application by emailing dancers@thedcd.org.uk.

DCD Retraining Grants

30 April 2018 - IOTPD Philippe Braunschweig Grant - for professional dancers who have had an international career and who don't qualify for support from any one of the countries where they have danced.

IOTPD Philippe Braunschweig Grant

The Way to Work – Free Workshops for Performers

8 January 2018 - Career Strategy (run by Careers Expert and Executive Coach, Zena Everett)
22 January 2018 - Financial Planning Skills (run by Financial Coach and Founder of Wise Monkey, Simonne Gnessen)
5 February 2018 - CV Writing and Job Search Skills (run by Zena Everett)
19 February 2018 - Interview Skills (run by Zena Everett)

The Way to Work

Action Learning in Partnership with Independent Dance

5pm, 2 February 2018 – Deadline for applications
2-6pm, 21 February 2018 – First Action Learning set meeting

Action Learning

DCD Transition Centre Christmas Opening Hours

Please note that the DCD Transition Centre will be closed for the Christmas break from 12:00 on Tuesday 19 December 2017 and will re-open on Tuesday 2 January 2018.

Enjoy the festive break!

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

Thank you

Dancers' Career Development is kindly supported by the following Partner 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, A cting for Others, The Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund and The Mackintosh Foundation.