I was thrilled to find I could make a career from something I enjoyed so much
What is your job?
I’m the Artistic Director at Combination Dance Company.
What does your job involve?
I work as a choreographer and creative director, primarily to make dance works in a range of settings for specific venues, theatre and film.
How did you get to this point in your career?
I took the route of learning dance as a child and was completely hooked from an early age – from then on all my thoughts were concentrated on improving my dance and choreography skills.
What training did you do and where?
I trained at the Northern Ballet School in Manchester and was lucky enough to experience a further choreography training opportunity at the BBC in my final year. It confirmed that choreography was what I wanted to do. I then did post graduate study at The Place – it was absolutely the best thing for me, as it gave me the opportunity to look at composition in a different light while gaining new skills. The artistic staff there were excellent and I was able to study with like minded people and build some great networking links for the future.
Which piece of work are you most proud of?
There are a number of pieces that I’ve created which are favourites for different reasons. My current favourite is a new piece of work that I’m involved with, based on the history of St Pancras station, for an event that forms part of the Mayor’s Cultural Olympiad. I’m working with a great group of dancers and an excellent composer, Francis Grier – I’m very fortunate that he came to an earlier piece I had been involved with and wanted to collaborate with me on a future project.
Really, my favourite piece is always the piece I’m currently working on – every piece of work you do empowers you and helps you move on in your career and develop your creative ability.
What do you need to succeed in your industry?
You need to allow yourself to be inspired, trust your instincts and have huge amounts of determination. You have to be able to multi-task and prioritise all the things you’re involved with in order to actually get things done. You certainly need to be determined and it probably helps to be a little bit headstrong!
Who’s your work hero / heroine? Why?
At different stages of your life you have a range of big influences. One of the first choreographers I worked with was Stuart Hopps who got me involved in a big collaborative project through Dance UK. He set up the first ever BA dance course at Laban and has been involved in loads of movies and opera since.
What inspired you to do this type of work?
As I mentioned before, I had always wanted to be involved in dance from a really young age – I put on productions with friends for the benefit of family and other friends. I was thrilled to find I could make a career from something I enjoyed so much.
What do your family/friends think of the work you do?
They are very supportive and I’m very lucky. They find my work intriguing and exciting and watch and comment on all my latest projects and productions.
What are your tips for anyone wanting to do your job?
Seize every opportunity! Keep positive and learn from all your experiences as they all bring new skills and ideas. Always try to allow yourself some thinking time during the creative process and don’t just focus on the final outcome - leave time to reflect on the development of ideas and what you went through to get to the end product.
Creative inspirations
Architecture and heritage
Looking at working and living spaces and celebrating our rich cultural history.
My collaborators
I’m constantly inspired by the people I work with.
Everyday life and human emotions
I’m inspired by work that’s accessible to the human condition.
Music
I’m particularly excited by live music, and recently worked with a chamber choir, Pegasus, which was a great experience. Music forms an intrinsic part of my working life.
My dancers
I’m always inspired by my dancers who, in my current project, are fantastic.
Friends and family
These are the people who exhibit skills and characteristics that I consider admirable.
Other choreographers
…such as Wayne McGregor, Sasha Waltz and the new works of Wayne Eagling.
Jon Hopkins
His musical compositions are incredible.
Eclectic sources of inspiration
These include poetry, scientific studies, even human chromosomes! Just look outside your door, walk around in the city or the countryside and you’ll find great sources for inspiration such as buildings, landscapes, people, food, and music.
My recent trip to Croatia
I experienced so many interesting things, including some impressive urban dancers doing brilliant live dance that I might well incorporate into some future work.
If you would like advice on creative careers and courses, contact a Creative Way Careers Adviser - either Matt Ball on m.ball@uel.ac.uk / 07889 001764 or Sarah Comerford on s.comerford@uel.ac.uk / 07515 051509.
