Interviews: FEDANCE UK

interview_imani

Q1. – What arts activity do you specialise in and where are you based?
A1. – FE’DANCE UK specialises in a range of dance including street dance, African Caribbean, tap, urban tap and ballet offering a programme of workshops based at Trinity Dance Studios and Zion Arts Centre. We offer freelance and development training packages to other arts organisations, schools, colleges, and youth clubs as well.

Q2. – What benefits and enjoyment do you get out of it?
A2. – The satisfaction of seeing young people achieve their goals and dreams though creative medium of dance.

Q3. – What are some of the biggest achievements of the young people and your organisation recently?
A3. -

A FE’DANCE UK Youth Company came second at Greater Manchester Youth Games dance competition on 1 July 2006, especially being one of the youngest teams, they did really well.

One young male recently got a scholarship into the Hammond School of Dance in Chester.

We have created a CD of Caribbean folk music from our smash hit show Carry Mi Ackee from last year.

Also, we have made progress with many young people and really developed the organisation over last two years. Sixteen young people have graduated to Company Fierce for further training this September.

Q4. – Who has inspired or influenced you? (especially Manchester based)
A4. – This is something I felt I needed to do, as I have always loved dance. It inspired me to set up workshops and from that, my own company.

Q5. – Who has been a mentor to you or supported you in your development and why?
A5. - I have been supported by Claire Cowell in the Cultural Strategy Team; Pam Johnson, Dance Officer at Arts Council England, North West; Awards for All; Local Network Fund and the Community Chest/Learning Fund.

On a personal and professional level, Yvonne Shelton (JAK), Darren Pritchard (Company Fierce), Anthony Downer, Janet Hall and Claire Cowell (FE’DANCE BOARD MEMBERS) also Lynn Jordan, the head of Manchester Dance Service have been very supportive towards my work.

Q6. – What advice would you give to other young people interested in going into the arts or becoming arts workers?
A6. – Dance is a discipline. If its something that you love and are passionate about and you are interested in getting involved further, you need to join a dance school or group near you, get the right kind of professional training.

Q7. – What opportunities can you recommend to other young people and youth arts practitioners in Manchester?
A7. - Opportunities are the activities young people can get involved in locally like the dance programme FE’DANCE UK or Company Fierce, dance workshops at youth clubs or dance schools and drama theatre at Library Theatre, Community Arts North West’s Urban Music Theatre programme at Zion Arts Centre.

If you want to be a youth leader, get in touch with organisations via Manchester Youth Arts Network (MYAN) or Dance Initiative Greater Manchester (DiGM). You can send a letter or email with your CV to volunteer your services.

Q8. – What activities or events would you like to see in Manchester that would help youth arts development?
A8. – On-going events and regular showcases for young people to develop and profile their work. More training programmes with guest teachers locally, nationally and internationally.

Q9. – What are your ambitions in terms of organisational development over the next 5 years?
A9. – Ideally we want to double our intake of young people we teach and take on other dance teachers to help deliver more workshops. I would like part time administrator (eventually full time)/ fundraiser and eventually move into our own premises!

Q10. – What or who might help you reach these goals?
A10. – Other arts organisations that provide development training that can advise on this like ACE, PANDA and the Cultural Strategy Team.

More interviews:

Borhan Mohammadi
Company Fierce
Meshack Mosu

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