As we look back on 2024, it’s a time to celebrate the milestones and great work that everyone connected with NSCD has collectively achieved.
This year, NSCD has been alive with excitement, creativity and success - reflecting not only the strength of our vibrant dance communities, but also the spirit of innovation and collaboration that drives us forward. From local outreach to global partnerships, 2024 has been a year of transformation.
Fostering Unity and Change
We kicked off the year with our annual NSCD Knowledge Exchange Conference which saw keynote speaker Jude Kelly CBE - British theatre director, producer and a director of the WOW Foundation, open the event with an inspiring address on the power of the arts to drive social change and foster inclusive dialogue. Delegates explored how notions of arts citizenship can bring new agendas to research, examined how we define arts citizenship and what it can do for a city and asked how we build new alliances between diverse publics.
The Northern Dance Get Together networking event followed, further strengthening our connections within the regional dance scene, fostering a sense of unity and growth among fellow artists. The day included a look at some key issues and topics facing the sector, with the aim of developing solutions and strategies including male-identifying work and falling participation levels, event attendance post-COVID and mental health for children & young people.
Riley Theatre: A Hub of Creativity and Diversity
This year, the Riley Theatre – Yorkshire's largest venue dedicated to dance – continued to be a cornerstone of our School's artistic expression with a programme that captivated large audiences across 26 diverse performances, from local talent to international artists, that made lasting impressions.
From contemporary dance to immersive theatrical experiences, we celebrated a rich tapestry of cultures and artistic voices. Our Black History Month shows in October were particularly memorable, with all performances sold out, highlighting the power of dance to tell stories of history, culture and resilience.
Honouring Our Legacy
2024 also marked a pivotal moment in our history as we were awarded a Blue Plaque from Leeds City Trust in recognition of our Founding Principal’s visionary work. This accolade was a beautiful reminder of how far we’ve come and the lasting impact our School continues to have on the dance world. It’s a tribute to the passion and dedication that laid the foundation for everything we do today and we are using this experience to shape the future of dance.
In June, we also hosted a day of activities to honour Sir Robert Cohan MBE, one of the pioneers of modern and contemporary dance. In partnership with Sir Robert Cohan Dance Legacy (RCDL) and featuring Phoenix Dance Theatre, the event celebrated the immeasurable influence and impact Cohan had on the dance world, including right here in Leeds.
In May, our CEO and Principal Sharon Watson MBE DL and Vice Principal & Director of Higher Education Darren Carr represented NSCD when they were among guests invited to attend the Buckingham Palace Arts Garden Party – an event that celebrates the creative industries and supports the culture and diversity within the arts.
Going Beyond Borders
Our commitment to pushing the boundaries of dance performance took us outside of the UK with the VERVE 2024 International Tour. This tour not only showcased the brilliance of our dancers but also allowed us to share our artistry with an international audience. It was a celebration of the diverse dance forms that connect us all and we were proud to see our students and artists make their mark internationally.
Matteo Marfoglia, Artistic Director and Programme Lead for VERVE – NSCD’s award-winning postgraduate company - recently visited Geneva to collaborate with Ballet Junior de Genève on the restaging of The Garden by KOR’SIA.
Collaborative Excellence
The International Dance Practice (IDP) post-graduate programme saw some truly inspiring collaborations this year – Gecko, Dan Canham and Florence Peake. The course proved to be an incubator for new ideas, with students and faculty alike exploring the intersection of dance, technology, and storytelling in exciting new ways.
As a School, we continued to partner with incredible artists and companies from around the world, pushing creative boundaries and cultivating a community where innovation thrives. These include Motionhouse, National Dance Company Wales and Stopgap Dance Company.
Expanding Outreach
Our Learning & Participation outreach programme took huge strides this year, expanding to new communities and making dance accessible to even more people. From workshops in schools to community-based projects, we continued to use dance as a tool for empowerment, bringing creativity, movement, and joy to those who may not have had access to the arts otherwise.
Key highlights in this area included:
Celebrating Alumni Success
We are incredibly proud of our alumni, whose achievements continue to inspire us all. From leading companies to choreographing world-class productions, our former students are making waves across the dance industry. Their success is a testament to the strength of our training and the nurturing environment we strive to provide.
Recent standout alumni achievements include CAT, Foundation and BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance graduate Sam Baxter who worked as a dancer in the Wicked movie.
Pierpaolo Cosentino who graduated this year from the VERVE Masters programme who joined Ballet National de Marseille co-directed by (LA)HORDE as a full-time member of the company.
Holly Brennan, a graduate of VERVE in 2023 joined Hofesh Shechter Company’s junior company, Shechter II. Over 1,200 dancers from 34 countries auditioned to join the company and with only eight dancers worldwide selected to join the prestigious company, we were beyond proud that one was Holly. In November, we were thrilled to welcome Holly back to Riley Theatre where she performed in From England with Love.
Four NSCD graduates - Gavin Coward, Imogen Wright, Alex Gosmore and Mayowa Ogunnaike were selected to perform in DETENTION – the eagerly-anticipated, forthcoming production from Gary Clarke Company.
NSCD alumni Max Revell, Tom Dunn and Bianca Mikahil performed in Akram Khan’s Jungle Book Reimagined.
In addition, Alumna Daniella May was a dancer in the international touring Message in a Bottle with ZooNation.
Making Dance Accessible to All
We believe that dance should be inclusive, and we are proud to create an environment where all students can thrive, no matter their background or ability.
In 2024, we took major steps towards ensuring that dance is an art form accessible to everyone. Our continued commitment to accessibility saw us being awarded a Scope UK Inclusive Activity Award for our Saturday School programme.
We also implemented new initiatives including enhanced physical access to our studios and programmes tailored to those with disabilities.
Key highlights in this area include:
Strengthening Global Partnerships
Our partnership with George Mason University’s School of Dance (GMU) in the USA brought fresh perspectives and opportunities this year. Together, we’ve created a platform for cross-cultural exchange, allowing our students and faculty to further collaborate internationally. This partnership has opened doors for new research, performances, and creative exploration, further cementing our place as a leader in global dance education.
Looking Ahead
As we approach our 40th anniversary year, we are filled with gratitude for our students, staff, collaborators and supporters who have made this year such a memorable chapter in our School’s story.
We’ve celebrated achievements, broken barriers and fostered a community that is truly unique. But this is just the beginning. With exciting new initiatives, collaborations, and performances on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what 2025 holds.
