www.yorkshiredance.com

Yorkshire DanceAnnualReview2013 - 2014

yorkshiredance

@YorkshireDance

“Congratulations on a great[Juncture] festival. It strikes me asa very important addition to thedance programme in Leeds and,

clearly, the dance community andpublic are eating it up.”

2 Wieke Eringa photo © Sara Teresa; Margaret Coleman photo © Yorkshire Dance

Cover photo Wendy Houstoun & Co, Stupid Women, Juncture 2014 © Andy Wood

Mission 

Yorkshire Dance champions the development of

dance in Yorkshire. We do so by raising standards,

increasing knowledge and understanding and fostering

creativity and innovation. 

Introduction

2013/2014 was a year of quality output and

consolidation which enabled us to deliver a

hugely successful new Juncture festival andcommission two new works as part of respond_alongside our thriving Youth and Communityprogramme of weekly and regional activity.  Through

increased partnership working we enhanced our

building as a creative hub where quality work is made

and researched. Doing all this increased our

significance as a regional and national driver for the

development of contemporary dance.

Wieke EringaCEO & Artistic Director

It is difficult to summarise the range and

excellence of Yorkshire Dance’s achievements

as they are so many, not least exemplified in

the energy and commitment demonstrated by young

people in Fresh and the Juncture festival giving us aglimpse of what Yorkshire Dance contributes, not

only to the Leeds City of Dance, but to dance

nationally.

Dancing With Your Neighbours capturedwonderfully the power of dance as a means of

expression across the generations and in different

communities, whilst respond_ is extending the

frontiers of audience interaction with dance digitally.

The creativity, commitment and energy of the staff

team is supported by an enthusiastic and engaged

board, who take great pride in their association

with an organisation that is going from strength

to strength.

Margaret ColemanChair of the Board

Betsy GregoryEx-Director, Dance Umbrella

Wieke Eringa

Margaret Coleman

“Fresh was such an enjoyable

experience. It brought everyone

together and it was a greatconfidence booster and learning

experience [...] it was a great

privilege to be part of.”

Caroline MillerDirector, Dance UK

“

“

Jordan Massarella Dance, Wannabe

Arrivals / Departures © Sara Teresa

3

Snap shot:

our achievements

During 2013 / 2014 we:

• Delivered Juncture 2014, a festival of contemporarymovement, theatre and film work curated by Wendy

Houstoun, with ten performances, an installation, a film

screening, eight workshop days and a youth dance fringe in

five venues across Leeds.

• Commissioned two new dance works by Robbie Syngeand Hagit Yakira as part of the respond_ project and

commenced new research into digital engagement with

contemporary dance, supported by a NESTA / AHRC / Arts

Council England Digital R&D Fund award.

• Presented Dance Insights, the region’s Youth Dance

Conference, which brought together 74 delegates at CAST in

Doncaster to share good practice, network and increase

knowledge and skills.

• Delivered Lustrum, an intensive week of professional

development for dancers and makers, led by Gary Clarke.

• Delivered Fresh 2014 – the regional youth danceshowcase, with a record 282 young people performing and

taking part in workshops across three buildings in three

different showcases at Yorkshire Dance and West Yorkshire

Playhouse.

• Grew the ambition of the Friday Firsts performance seriesby presenting more work by nationally established artists

alongside local artists, providing opportunities for enhancing

critical debate and networking. Eight new well-attended

editions showcased artists such as Liz Aggiss and thepremiere of Idiot-Syncrasy by Igor & Moreno.

• Piloted a new collaborative mini-festival weekend, Arrivals/ Departures, in collaboration with Northern School of

Contemporary Dance, with a focus on connectivity with

Europe.

• Actively supported 14 artists to develop new artistic project

work and co-produced four new pieces of dance.

• Supported a group of young people from the Richmond Hill

and Seacroft areas of Leeds and their families to engage with

learning, making, performing and watching dance – some of

whom are now going on to Higher Education.

Igor & Moreno, Idiot-Syncrasy

Arrivals / Departures

© Sara Teresa

Launch of Juncture 2014

The Tetley © Sara Teresa 

Saturday Street Crew at Fresh 2014

The Tetley © Brian Slater

4

Leadership and regional

development

We worked in partnership with four sub-regional hubs to

improve access, progression routes and performance

opportunities for young people and professional development

for their leaders.

A key development area this year was in the East Riding and

Hull where a wide partnership group was assembled to form

an ambitious new piece of step-change work for 2014 and

beyond. 

The regional dance development network (RDDN) hosted by

Yorkshire Dance is thriving and became a driving force for the

development of Fresh and Dance Insights, the second

Regional Youth Dance Conference.

Fresh 2014

Fresh 2014, the regional youth dance showcase, was hugely

successful in bringing together the youth dance sector

in a celebratory event that raises aspirations. 282 young people

participated in workshops and performances at Yorkshire

Dance and in the foyer of West Yorkshire Playhouse before the

main showcase in WYP’s 750-seat Quarry Theatre.

Fresh opened new styles of dance to me in the

workshop that I have found a love for! It’s truly such a

pleasure to perform in the WYP!

Participant feedback.

It was the biggest show we’ve ever done. I feel so much

more confident.

Me2Inclusive Dance Company participant

Fresh was an amazing experience where we could enjoy

being able to dance all day, perform on WYP’s main

stage and watch incredible dancers sharing the same

passion in our region!

Group leader feedback

Rotherham Boys Project

This project came into its own with the recruitment of a new

team of local artists delivering an outreach project across four

districts of Rotherham. The work was celebrated alongside

visiting youth dance companies in the all-male Making Menplatform in March. Approximately 200 boys were engaged in

classes and taster workshops, and the flagship youth company

ReBuzz performed at various events across Yorkshire. 

ReBuzz – Rotherham Boys Project workshop

© James Dodd

RJC Youth Dance at Fresh 2014

© Brian Slater

“

“

Youth Dance in Yorkshire

Sub-regional hubs

Sub regional Hubs

North Yorkshire and York Hub

North Yorkshire County Council

& Hambleton District Council

South Bank Hub

North Lincolnshire District Council

& Lincs Inspire 

Hull and East Riding HubEast Riding of Yorkshire Council 

South Yorkshire Hub

Doncaster MB Council & Wayne Sables Project

West Yorkshire is served by twodance strategy groups

“

Dance Insights

© Brian Slater

5

Dance Insights –

the Regional Youth Dance Conference

For this second conference we were supported by the beautiful

new theatre in Doncaster, CAST, where we were able to

welcome many regional and national guests, such as Linda

Jasper (Youth Dance England), Caroline Miller (Dance UK)and Mark Baldwin (Rambert Dance Company).

This conference focused on advocacy and cross-sector

working. It brought together 74 practitioners, commissioners of

dance, teachers, young people, volunteers, those in health, sport

and education working with dance from across the region for

stimulating and informative workshops, discussions,

presentations and dissemination. 

I just wanted to say a massive well done for yesterday’s

conference – I really loved it and my team’s feedback

was wonderful, they were all buzzing from the

workshops. Really enjoyed the session with Caroline

Miller... she was really inspirational. I gained a lot from

the whole day and your team was fantastic.

Looking forward to the next one.

Ian Rodley, DAZL

Inspiring and focusing me back into the world of

dance. Giving me a little more excitement and drive

for dance again.

Delegate feedback

Knowledgeable speakers, great advocacy tool kit,

useful updates on research, strategies and also

structuring of the Public Health Sector.

Delegate feedback

I found the workshop on inclusive dance very

passionate, practical and insightful. Funding permitting,

I would love to book Rachel in future to work with

our own dance artists to train them around good

inclusive practice.

Delegate feedback

I thought it gave a good overview of where the Youth

Dance Sector is and what the challenges are. I think

there were some very clear messages coming through:

we need to mobilise, keep informed and abreast of the

changes.  We need to work together to find creative

solutions in these difficult and challenging times. 

Sarah Westaway, working group member

“

“

“

“

“

Dance Insights

© Brian Slater

Dance Insights

© Brian Slater

Dance Insights

© Brian Slater

Saturday Street Crew

Fresh 2014

© Brian Slater

Yorkshire Dance Youth at Fresh 2014

© Brian Slater

Yorkshire Dance Youth

Dancing With Your Neighbours

© Space2

Leaps and Bounds Rothwell Session

© Yorkshire Dance

6

Developing Talent:

Youth and Community 

Youth and Community programme in Leeds

The Yorkshire Dance community and youth dance programme

was attended weekly by 225 people in 2013/14.

The Saturday Superstars programme (0 - 14 years)

continues to be highly popular with a diverse group of families

who enjoy access to affordable, pupil-centred dance provision,

which is creative as well as challenging and fun.

Our ongoing partnership with Leeds Adult Social Care resulted

in a plethora of work with adults with learning disabilities as

part of the Leaps and Bounds programme.

The two popular Yorkshire Dance Youth groups drawn from

the Seacroft and Richmond Hill areas in Leeds benefited from

a rich range of performance and creative opportunities, which

this year included the National U.Dance Festival and theJuncture 2014 youth dance fringe project Dancing With Your

Neighbours.

This project saw the young people knock on the doors of their

unknown neighbours to propose a ‘dance exchange’, inspired by

Louise Wallinger’sAnnoying the Neighbours. Dancing

With Your Neighbours opened a door to a new way of

creating and performing dance and was captured beautifully on

film by Space2. The project placed a new emphasis on the way

Yorkshire Dance works with local communities and opens up a

range of creative possibilities for future working. 

Yorkshire Dance was one of the lead organisations supporting

and hosting the National U.Dance Festival, which took placein Leeds during July. The festival brought together youth dance

companies from across the UK to perform, take part in

workshops and share ideas and practice.  

Fantastic event – brilliantly organised. My group

thoroughly enjoyed it – I love it that they get to see

what is happening all over the UK.

U.Dance group leader

Overall a fantastic weekend! Loved being part of it.

Huge shout out to all the organisers, volunteers, and

rehearsal directors. You made the process and

experience easy and enjoyable.

U.Dance participant

“

“

Lustrum Showcase

© Sara Teresa

Jordan Massarella Dance

#Visitors

at The Place

70/30 Split at Works Ahead

© Javier Camañas

Gary Clarke choreographing Lustrum Showcase

© Sara Teresa

7

Developing, retaining

and attracting talent:

independent artists

In focus: New Associate programme

During its second and final year, this programme supported

Jordan Massarella, Nathan Geering and Sophie Unwin

(as part of 70/30 Split) with advocacy, strategic planning,

fundraising and project management support. JordanMassarella was supported to tour #Visitors to five places

and create a new short solo work, Wannabe. 70/30 Split

created and performed Two Do: a performance,

and Nathan Geering was supported to research and

develop Addiction.

Professional development

for the wider sector

This year, open workshops for artists and practitioners

included those with Gunilla Heilborn, Liz Aggiss, Igor &Moreno, Stopgap Dance Company and Yael Flexer. 

We worked closely with our Leeds partners to support 65

recent graduates and emerging dancers/makers to attend

Dance UK’s Launch event. 

Lustrum

We supported 15 national and regional artists in a week of

intensive choreographic development called Lustrum, led by

Gary Clarke. The unique approach to Lustrum meant artists

were involved in a constant rapid, instinctive process of

creation and group decision-making leading to immediate

performance. A high calibre of dancers/makers applied to take

part, and the evaluation evidenced their learning and the

resulting performances were very well received.

It has liberated my outlook on choreography –

both in practice and in approach.

Lustrum participant

The Collective

Yorkshire Dance Membership

The Collective, Yorkshire Dance artist membership (on

average 60 artists), was supported through the provision of 112

days of residency space for 18 artists, and 1,040 hours of (free)

stand-by space for 31 members. Six small bursaries were

distributed to support skills development. In addition, 14 artists

/ companies amongst these received specific project support.

“

Wendy Houstoun’s Stupid Women rehearsal, Juncture 2014

© Andy Wood

Riitta Ikonen & Karoline Hjorth’s

Eyes as Big as Plates, Juncture 2014

© Sara Teresa

Jordi Cortes

Integrated Dance workshop

Juncture 2014

© Andy Wood

Candoco Dance Company at Juncture 2014 Launch

© Sara Teresa

8

Juncture 2014

Curated by Wendy Houstoun

This second edition of Juncture, curated by Wendy

Houstoun, demonstrated a growth in ambition through

the scope of the work and artists it presented, including three

works by international artists.  The two-week programme

featured work by twenty mature theatre, live-art, film and

dance makers, alongside photographers and visual artists of

international significance, and brought together a community

of regional and national producers, artists, programmers and

audiences to explore contemporary practice.

The Juncture 2014 curation presented a strong overall

concept that was centred on a highly personal approach,

which resulted in the gathering of a temporary community.

The experience was described by many as very connective

on a deep level, as well as supportive, inspirational and

empowering.  There was a sense of honesty and ‘humanity’ at

the heart of all the work, which gave meaning to the festival

overall and inspired deep connectivity between participants.

The Juncture Fellows represented a new development –

supporting emerging artists to research new work in response

to the festival.  Another key development was a greater

connectivity with young people as part of the Juncture youthdance fringe, both through the Dancing With Your

Neighbours and Young Bloggers initiatives.

In all honesty, I think I’m still reeling from what I’ve

witnessed. My brain can’t quite harness the sheer

power and raw emotion that’s hit me like a speeding

truck. Thinking back, I can’t remember the last time I felt

so utterly blown away by a performance, if ever at all.

Marion Smith, Juncture Young Blogger

[Juncture Fellows commission] meant flexibility and

freedom to start an idea without the pressure of an

end product as such [...] which I am able to bring

forward after this project.

Sophie Unwin

It has, and will have a massive impact on my

development as an artist. It has turned my whole

existence on its head.

Hannah Buckley

It matters. Top quality guest curator. 

World class, contemporary and intelligent.

Workshop participant

Bringing new dance to Leeds in a constructed way

to give the public a taste of what dance can be.

Great to have female curators!

Juncture pass holder

“

“

“

“

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Dad Dancing

at Friday Firsts #18: Show Real

© Tim Smith

Audience at Riitta Ikonen & Karoline Hjorth’s Eyes as Big as Plates

Juncture 2014 © Sara Teresa

Jamaal Burkmar’s Ocean

at Friday Firsts #19: Bish Bash Bosh

© Jason Ingelson

Liz Aggiss Is The English Channel

© Joe Murray

9

Developing talent:

presenting work 

Friday Firsts

Building on the success of last year, eight Friday Firsts

evenings provided a platform for independent dance artists

working on the small scale, whilst introducing audiences to

contemporary dance.

The ambition of the programme grew, presenting more work

by nationally established artists alongside local artists, providing

opportunities to enhance critical debate and networking.

The programme included Liz Aggiss Is The English

Channel; Show Real, including the Dad Dancing project;

Bish Bash Bosh open scratch night; Live Bites, the best of

new independent work across the North; and the premiere of

Igor and Moreno’s Idiot-Syncrasy. In collaboration with

Leeds Metropolitan University, Double Act presented new

student work by Lone Twin and New Art Club.

It was a real pleasure to be involved in Burst. It was

a great performing and networking opportunity for

the graduate company and the atmosphere was so

supportive and welcoming that it made it all

very enjoyable.

Giorgio de Carolis

Rehearsal Director, 12 Degrees North

Thankfully, Yorkshire Dance’s Friday Firsts provides just

such an opportunity for choreographers and audiences

alike – the chance to experience new and experimental

choreography up close and personal. We need to create

more spaces like Friday Firsts for experimental work to

be seen so that artists can create and receive critical

feedback without feeling ‘lashed to the boards’ if it

bombs. Failure, after all, is the only way to succeed.

Zoe Parker

Blogger, dance artist & practitioner

Northern Platforms 

As part of this initiative with partners Dance Base, DanceCity and Merseyside Dance Initiative across the North,

we supported Nathan Geering to perform at the Capstone

Theatre in Liverpool, whilst inviting Tamsyn Russell

(Scotland) and Joelene English (North East) to Leeds.

Post-show discussion and facilitated dinners and breakfasts

provided artists with a critical chance to enter into dialogue

with different audiences and promoters.

“

“

Bryony Mylroie-Smith

Sophie Unwin

10

In the spotlight

Bryony Mylroie-Smith, dance practitionerBryony first encountered Yorkshire Dance as a Phoenix Dance

Academy student at the age of 16, and she now teaches dance in a

variety of settings.

I have been teaching dance in both community and

educational settings for the last seven years, the last three

years of which I’ve been working at Yorkshire Dance as part of

the Saturday Superstars team. I began at Yorkshire Dance as an

assistant to the Street Styles classes. I enjoyed the role

because I could spend lots of time working with individuals on

developing their skills and reaching their goals. I really enjoy working

at Yorkshire Dance because it is always busy and every class is full of

energy. It’s also great to work with other dance artists in such a

supportive way as it can be quite isolating working on your own as a

freelancer all the time. Over the past three years I’ve had the

opportunity to assist in all of the Saturday classes and now assist

Parents & Tots and Street Jazz, and teach the Street Styles classes

collaboratively with Bobak Walker. It’s a really nice way to deliver

because Bobak and I bring different qualities to the sessions, so the

children get a broad range of skills throughout the term.

Sophie Unwin, New Associate artistSophie is a performance artist, choreographer, collaborator and

performer based in the region, who graduated from York St John

University in 2011.

This year has seen my first solo endeavour, a solo

performance called The Chronicles of Joy, supported bythe Juncture Fellows commission from Yorkshire Dance and

hosted by artist Wendy Houstoun. This opportunity has

positively launched my solo career enabling me to make an

idea tangible. The work has been scratched in Leeds and

London and will enter another phase of development ready for 2015.

This year has also seen a collaboration of a different kind with

Yorkshire Dance: SLAP (Salacious Live Alternative Performance) is a

performance, live art, film, spoken word and music platform based in

York, founded by myself and three other York-based artists. Yorkshire

Dance has become one of SLAP’s partners and has recently offered a

platform, space and support as a prize package for emerging artists

SLAP have showcased and supported.

ReBuzz – Rotherham Boys ProjectTwelve boys are currently regularly participating in ReBuzz, an all-

male youth group established as part of the Rotherham Boys Project.

The good thing about being involved in ReBuzz is you meet

new people, but at the same time you get to take up a new

hobby and get away from just hanging about on the streets.

Jordan Dunstan, 15

The best thing about dancing is that you get to express what

you’re doing. It makes you feel happy.

Callum Jones, 13

““I really enjoy working at

Yorkshire Dance because it isalways busy and every class is

full of energy.”

““This opportunity [Juncture

Fellows] has positively launchedmy solo career, enabling me to

make an idea tangible.”

“

ReBuzz – Rotherham Boys Project 

© James Dodd

“If I wasn’t coming to ReBuzz,I’d be in the house on a

Saturday, watching telly with acup of tea and biscuits.” “

Financial Overview 2013-2014

The information above is derived from the Detailed

Statement of Financial Activities contained in the audited

annual accounts for the year ended 31st March 2014.

Full audited accounts and Trustees’ report can be

obtained from Yorkshire Dance.

11

Expenditure£

Artist development & professional programme 90,239

Youth and community 51,013

Regional dance development 22,721

Marketing 21,827

Building and admin overheads 285,138

Salaries and staff costs 277,053

Total expenditure 747,991

Income£

Core incomeCore: Arts Council England 324,477

Core: Leeds City Council 60,000

Other public fundingArts Council England 12,000

Leeds City Council 31,024

Earned incomeArtistic and educational activities 56,319

Tenants and hires 181,626

Trading and other income 13,950

Trusts and Foundations 53,500

Donations 1,048

Corporate Donations 22,500

Total income 756,444

Digital Reach

Yorkshire Dance’s website attracted over 61,000 visits

from nearly 40,000 unique visitors during the year.

Two online-only editions of the Dance in Leeds &Yorkshire brochure reached 25,000 individuals –

boosted by embedding them in our own (and other)

websites and Facebook pages, with further traffic

generated via Twitter and e-bulletins.

Yorkshire Dance continued to develop its social media

activity; by the year-end, we had attracted 4500

followers on Twitter and over 1400 Facebook ‘Likes’.

Yorkshire Dance Centre Trust Ltd

Registered 2319572 England  Registered Charity No. 701624  VAT No. 418 0193 70

Artist Advisory GroupAndrea Buckley

Beth Cassani

Rachel Krische

Balbir Singh

Sarah Spanton

Associate Artist

Gary Clarke

Artist practitioners (regular)

Katie Aynsley

Anthony Bayou

Jemma Broomhead

Charlie Buchanan

Cassandra Butler

Danielle Byars

Sharon Cameron

Alison Grace Clissold

Rachel Dean

Laura Liddon

Louise McDowell

Laura Murphy

Bryony Mylroie-Smith

Zoe Parker

Sheridan Sherratt

Craig Turner

Bobak Walker

Laura Withers

Artists receiving project support

Liz Aggiss

Hannah Buckley

Gary Clarke

Dance United Yorkshire

Nathan Geering

Gracefool Collective

Igor & Moreno

Rita Marcalo

Keira Martin

Jordan Massarella

Carlos Pons Guerra

Devika Rao

Sophie Unwin & Lydia Cottrell

Artists in receipt of bursariesSharon Cameron

Carlos Pons Guerra

Rosemary Spencer

Benjamin Skinner

Zoe Parker

Riccardo Meneghini

TenantsBalbir Singh Dance Company

Dance Education Fitness

DEP Arts

DJ School UK

Elephant Marketing

Imove

Kendells Bistro

John Newton

Red Ladder Theatre Company

Split Design UK

Talking Lens

Therapy Heaven

Type Agency

Yew Tree Therapies

With thanks to all our funders

and partners for 2013 – 2014Arts Council England

Breakfast Creatives

Leeds City Council & Leeds Inspired

Leeds Adult Social Care

Creative Employment Programme

Embassy of Finland

The Fenton Arts Trust

Foundation for Community Dance

The Foyle Foundation

Hyde Park Picture House

Jimbo’s Fund

Land Securities

Leeds Community Foundation

Leeds Metropolitan University

The National Lottery

Nesta

Northern Ballet

/ Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre

Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Opera North

Phoenix Dance Theatre

Provident Financial plc

Space 2

The Tetley

Unity Theatre Trust

University of Leeds

West Yorkshire Playhouse

West Yorkshire Sport

Youth Dance England

Volunteers Lauren Abel Mia Ashe

Katie Aynsley Laura Cassells

Rachel Clarke Lisa Clayton

Charlotte Emptage Rachel Fullegar

Jayne Fullerton Hayley Graham

Mertyna Kozanecka Maria Popova

Rebekah Roman Edwina Simpson

Bethany Veness

Yorkshire Dance staff

Wieke Eringa  CEO and Artistic Director

Edwina Simpson / Andrea Smart Administrative Director

Gail Ferrin / Hannah Robertshaw Youth & Community Dance Director

(job share)

Antony Dunn Marketing & Communications Manager

Kirsty Redhead Creative Producer 

Katrina Ward Studio Operations Manager

Kate Ferris-Neely / Sarah Lyon Youth & Community Dance Manager / 

Co-ordinator

Hollie Harkness-Gowers Programmes Manager

Fuzzy Jones  Administrative Assistant 

Judy Rose Finance Administrator

Katherine Tate / Lauren Clarke Assistant Studio Operations Manager 

Lisa Clayton Artistic Intern - Juncture

Laura Griffiths respond_ Project Manager

Sam Hobrough Fundraising Manager

Danielle Byars Youth & Community Dance Intern

Katie Roberts Marketing & Development Intern

Front of House Jemma Broomhead, Ailis Ferris-Neely, Jayne Fullerton, 

Aimee Hitchen, Ashlee Hitchen, Maria Jardardottir, Jessica 

Mahy, Karina Nielsen, Rachael O’Neill, Nina Ojuroye, 

Matthew Peters, Rebekah Roman, Katherine Tate

Theatre Technicians  Mark Baker, Sarah Buckmaster, Elb Hall, Leanne Hobbins, 

Adam Steed, Huw Williams

IT Support Computify Ltd / Mansys

Board of Directors

Margaret Coleman (Chair)Alison AndrewsHelen BowdurRic GreenRachel KrischeGraham MallinsonRuth MoranCllr Adam OgilvieAndrew Walker

Yorkshire Dance, 3 St Peter’s Buildings, St Peter’s Square, Leeds LS9 8AH

0113 243 9867, admin@yorkshiredance.com