After just 10 days spent together, over the first two residencies of the year, Cohort 13 is really starting to feel like both a company and a family. The December residency was filled with fun, friendship and love, but it also had its challenging moments, with new experiences and opportunities for growth, development and improvement – taking part in a photoshoot, for example, and learning how to move for the camera, or else teaching a company warm up or leading a skill sharing session.
All of these moments have not only amplified my love of dance, but have helped to elevate me as a mover. Hip hop is a new dance style for me as I have previously trained primarily in contemporary. Exploring this with Boy Blue and getting to know their unique way of working has allowed me to flourish and has brought me to reflect on what I feel movement is at its very core for me – immense love for art and unconditional love for myself.
If I’m being very truthful, the rehearsal process this residency was nothing short of exhausting. With the fast choreography, intricate details and complex transitions, each of us had to ensure that when we were in the studio, we were 100% committed and present for both ourselves and those we were sharing the space with. Constantly drilling the material was frustrating and hard, yet, in the same breath, an extremely rewarding process. Seeing the product of our hard work coming together towards the end of residency was particularly special. From tiredness, sore feet and achy bodies grew high morale, resilience, memories and lessons to last a lifetime.
With this being said, Lara and Nathaniel (rehearsal directors for Boy Blue) really did work us to our limit, making sure we were still looking after ourselves during such an intense process. We were encouraged to take a minute when needed, to breathe, to take time to collect our thoughts, and prioritise self-awareness and self-care.
Our 30 minutes of ‘grace space’ each morning – which has been implemented into our rehearsal schedule since residency 1 – is a great example of how well we are taken care of by NYDC and the Boy Blue team. Not only do they tell us to look after our bodies, to give ourselves grace and be kind to ourselves, they have put this into action, giving us the space, knowledge and resources to do so. This half an hour allows us to set ourselves up for the day in whatever way we personally need. This can often look like mindfulness, stretching, mental rehearsal, massage, any type of personal warm up or journalling.
The company support and creative support team were nothing short of amazing as well, with someone always being there in or out of the studio to listen, and meet us with openness, advice, love and reassurance. We also got the opportunity to chat with a dance psychologist to talk about our mental health as young artists, and to have a screening with a physio who concentrated more on our physical health and fitness. We had a warm up and cool down masterclass during the week too, helping us to further develop our knowledge of safe practice in the studio.
During one of our evening Toolbox sessions we had a Q&A with the Boy Blue artists which gave us a lot of insight into the dance industry. Something in particular that really resonated with me was Lara talking about the importance of having clear boundaries as an artist, both for injury prevention and management, and self-preservation. To her, these boundaries include taking responsibility for yourself and having a sense of ownership over your work and your behaviour – focusing on what you can control and how you conduct yourself. She explained how she approaches situations with a “Respond don’t react” attitude – a valuable outlook I am now trying to implement into all aspects of my life.
Lara has been a role model for me both inside and outside of the studio, and really puts her words into practice – it has felt so amazing and refreshing to see a woman in leadership, taking charge with power, compassion and vision. Nathaniel has also been an extremely powerful role model for me, and I really admired the way he conducted himself in the space – meeting us with transparency and grace whilst pushing us to achieve our full potential. The effect of this was incredible. I really saw my development as a dancer this residency, growing in resilience and strength both inside and outside of the studio.
Both Lara and Nathaniel cared for and acknowledged the personal development of each of us as dancers. And whilst Kendrick could not be with us this residency, Mikey carried enough wisdom for the both of them, always being present with us in the studio and setting our sights and hopes high for residency 3 when we will begin to develop the main body of the piece.
As much as the week was exhilarating and amazing, it also had its fair share of challenges. I think the biggest challenge I faced this residency was definitely overcoming my lack of self-confidence, allowing me to really come into my own and get out of it what I wanted – achieving my personal goals and being comfortable in my own skin.
As someone who started my dance training only a year ago, the prospect of working with and performing a piece by an award winning company like Boy Blue felt – and still feels – incredibly daunting. On top of this, NYDC cohort 13 is made up of 33 extremely talented individuals, all with their own ways of processing, regulating and working. Navigating a new social dynamic is just as challenging for me as the actual dancing itself, but through this, I have been able learn from my peers, whilst also learning a lot about how I like to work in the space and what I need in order to thrive. This has helped to shape me into the artist I’m continually developing and growing in to.
Since my journey with NYDC began, back at my first experience workshop in April last year, through to my second residency as a company member, I have found myself asking questions like: “am I silly to think I can do this with less experience than some of those around me?” “Am I talented enough to be here” “what if my presence in the space isn’t loud enough?” “What if I mess up?” Something I’m having to learn is that my inner monologue has value, and that I shouldn’t ignore it. Equally, I know that not everything I think and feel is a true, transparent reflection of me and my value. I’m so much more than the things that I struggle with – my self confidence, for example – and this doesn’t define what I bring to the company as a unique individual. Neither does it limit my artistry as a young person – and that is definitely something I’m going to take away from this residency in particular.
Despite being a dance company, being a part of NYDC means so much more than just being a dancer and performing on stage. I remember something Kenrick explained to us in the first residency that really stuck with me: “you’re presence is valued in the space. Whether you move or not, whether you dance or not”. Since then I have used this as a mantra for when things start to feel a little tough, both in and out of the studio.
In NYDC, you’re celebrated as an individual and are recognised for the light that you personally bring to the space, in whatever way this may manifest. Coming from such a diverse range of backgrounds, many of us in the company have other attributes and interests outside of dance, and for me, there’s something extremely beautiful about this. In fact, the diversity within each cohort was one of the very reasons I was so keen to join NYDC. And since starting my journey with this gorgeous company, I have learnt that it is safe for me to be myself, surrounded by individuals who have accepted me so gracefully, without a question or doubt.
Out of everything, this has impacted me the most: the sense of family, support, belonging and loyalty that is constantly present, and being able to see the care that NYDC holds for its members and wider community. Every evening, we end our rehearsal with a circle of thanks, where we hold hands and share our reflections from the day. What comes up most often at these times is gratitude, reassurance, motivation, our goals and aspirations, and a reminder the power we hold as a group. In other words, we always finish the day as we mean to go on- elevating each other and growing together, as a company.
I feel so privileged and beyond grateful to be a part of NYDC, and cannot wait to see where these next couple of months take me!
(Photo credits: Manuel Vason)