Former NSCD Principal Janet Smith MBE and alumna Kathy Williams OLY have both been awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards by One Dance UK. The accolades were conferred in a special online ceremony on 27 November.
NSCD is proud of the recognition each receives in their respective fields - Janet Smith for her work in Dance Education and Kathy Williams for her achievements in Dance of the African Diaspora. During her eight years at NSCD Janet instilled a culture of collaboration and generosity, and championed inclusive learning. With RJC Dance Kathy has worked to develop black British dance beyond ‘just a style’ and into a strategic narrative, building legacy from cultural ancestry.
Filmed in advance at The Courtyard in Hereford and streamed live on Facebook, the ceremony was an opportunity for people across the dance sector to celebrate and reward those who have made a lasting impact on the UK dance landscape.
The event was hosted by Akosua Boakye BEM - best known as Children's Casting Coordinator for The Lion King musical or dance lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University. From over a thousand public nominations, a panel of expert judges from the dance sector selected the shortlist of nominees.
Other recipients included the English National Ballet School Healthcare Team, Yorkshire Dance, and Marks & Spencer for their “Go Jumpers” Campaign. Corey Baker won the Dance on Film award for Swan Lake Bath Ballet, and the Rising Star Award was given to Vickie Simmonds, founder of wheelchair dance company Liberate Dance. To see the full list of recipients, click here.
Andrew Hurst, Chief Executive at One Dance UK, commented: “We are delighted to still have been able to host our annual awards, and we're proud to see so many people from all around the UK tuning in and lending their support. Now more than ever, it is important for us to shine a light on the incredible work that has been taking place in our sector and to thank everyone who has contributed to making the UK dance sector so vibrant and diverse.”
