The prestigious Sydney Dance Company joined forces with NORPA last week to mentor young dancers from the Northern Rivers in a week-long dance intensive held at Southern Cross University in Lismore.
Working with Sydney Dance Company’s Teaching Artists, 30 local dancers aged 13-18 years from across the region were taught Sydney Dance Company choreography and repertoire as well as learning how to develop and express their own experiences through contemporary dance.
Justine Turner, Sydney Dance Company’s Learning Manager said the week-long workshop provided ‘tenacious and talented young dancers with an opportunity to connect to their creativity, express themselves and allows them to explore a new way of creating movement.’
Julian Louis, NORPA’s Artistic Director said the Northern Rivers had a strong dance scene and the workshop had been a great opportunity for young and emerging dancers to get first-hand experience with one of Australia’s best dance companies.
‘We’re thrilled to have collaborated with Sydney Dance Company to make this once in a lifetime experience available to aspiring young dancers in the Northern Rivers,’ he said.
The Creative Youth Dance Intensive, supported by the Office for Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW, culminated on Friday afternoon with an informal performance for family and friends as well as special guest, the NSW Minister for Arts and Regional Youth, Ben Franklin.
MacKinnon Connolly from the Lismore area was one of the participants.
‘This experience has been so valuable,’ Ms Connolly said.
‘Different perspectives in dance allowed me to challenge myself on a creative level.
‘I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience, connecting with new people in such a creative environment.’
