You’ve got to create your own opportunities and decide what you want to do with your talent and skills
What is your job?
I'm Creative Director and Choreographer at Uchenna Dance Company.
What does your job involve?
I’m currently devising business plans, arranging and attending meetings, and developing an artistic vision for the Uchenna Dance Company. I’m also doing my regular stuff – I’m a lecturer and module leader in jazz dance at Middlesex University and teach at Danceworks. I’ve also joined the Independent Dance Managers Network, a forum for sharing ideas, events and projects and a good place for getting help and advice.
How did you get to this point in your career?
I come from a traditional Nigerian family and my original career was going to be law! After my Mum became ill and I became her carer, I had time to reflect and realised that I wanted to do dance, so I got more and more involved in dance and did my formal training. At the same time as getting my place at Middlesex, I also auditioned for Hakeem Onibudo at Impact Dance, who was producing a musical, and got the part two months before term started. So I had hip hop training, work-place training and formal training at university. I built up my contacts while at university and did a number of teaching and choreographing roles at Impact, helping to develop young dancers. After university I got a job at East London Dance as youth dance co-ordinator – I was subsequently promoted twice and ended up staying there for five years. In 2005 I had a meeting with a marketing manager from Nike UK, following which I auditioned for their women’s programme and became a Nike Dance Athlete and Master Trainer for Nike Rockstar Workout, delivering training for fitness instructors.
In 2007 I was awarded an ADAD bursary to research dance with an African heritage and this played a big part in helping me decide I was ready to take the risk and go it alone. I’ve now set up my own dance company – Uchenna Dance. This is a professional performance company involved in management, consultancy and community work, along with education and training.
What training did you do and where?
I did a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at Hammersmith & West London College and then a BA (Hons) degree in dance studies at Middlesex University.
Which piece of work are you most proud of?
Blueprint – a dance event I organised at East London Dance, celebrating young and upcoming choreographers. It showcases the work of new choreographers aged 16 to 26 and encourages them to work together and network. I saw it as a chance to give something back to both the industry and the community, and over the four years I worked on it, it got bigger and better. Also in 2008 I put together a bursary to give one emerging choreographer the tools and support to create a completely new piece of work to be performed at London Youth Dance and Sadler’s Wells.
What do you need to succeed in your industry?
Confidence – without self-belief you are likely to come unstuck at some stage. You’ve got to create your own opportunities and decide what you want to do with your talent and skills, whether that’s performing, teaching or managing, while also not being afraid to re-invent yourself if you feel the need to change direction. Maintaining a professional attitude is important – being on time and reliable is key in the industry as word travels fast! You also need to keep up-to-date and informed on what’s going on in the industry as it will help you to know what you need to be successful in your chosen field.
Who’s your work hero / heroine?
Jeanefer Jean-Charles, a choreographer and movement director who really inspires me. She has all those attributes you need to succeed and has travelled the world with her own dance company. She’s always one step ahead of the game – a really versatile individual who is still working and passing on her skill and enthusiasm to other artists.
What inspired you to do this type of work?
For me, dance was a powerful tool I used to escape from everyday life. The more I danced, the more I found I wanted to be with others who shared my enthusiasm. I have found, and I have seen it in others too, that dance can be such a positive influence on your life – being able to be creative, express yourself and get feedback.
What do your family and friends think of the work you do?
At the beginning my Mum was completely against it – creative industry was not considered a proper job and there was a genuine fear that nobody ever made money from it. Now my family can see that I have been successful and are interested and supportive of my work. They make an effort to come to see my events and my Mum is my biggest fan!
What are your tips for anyone wanting to do your job?
Know what you want to do - the industry you want to work in and the part of that industry that interests you the most. Then research it – find out what contacts you need to make and who will be able to help you achieve your goals. Go out and get as much experience as you can so you can then get a good CV together. Don’t be afraid to network and talk about yourself – make approaches to people you want to talk to and be seen.
Creative inspirations
Music
There are so many different types of music around – whether I’m choreographing or teaching, it always inspires my work.
People
It can happen anytime you see or hear someone, they do something that makes you think ‘yes, I can use that’ and it can form the basis of a new piece of work.
My Mum
In terms of not letting your personal circumstances become an excuse for doing nothing – she has faced up to many challenges and not let them stop her getting on with her life. These are the family values that have been passed on to me.
Friends
Working in dance can be a lonely place so it’s useful having a close support mechanism of friends who also work in the industry. They know the business, and their passion and drive is really supportive and keeps me focused when I’m not feeling on top of things.
One of my teachers at secondary school
My dance teacher at secondary school encouraged me to do my first independent dance project at The Place in Euston. It was a major step for me at the time and through the project I met someone who is now one of my closest friends.
One of my lecturers at college
A lecturer at Hammersmith & West London College got me to think about whether it was dance, music or singing that I wanted to specialise in, and helped me realise that dance was the one for me.
One of my lecturers at university
One particular lecturer helped me to challenge myself and look at a wider range of dance styles. I was known for my street dance but she encouraged me to explore contemporary dance – I found it a struggle at first but ended up getting a 1st class honours degree! She gave me my love of choreography and different styles of dance.
Sharon Osbourne’s biography
This choice may surprise a lot of my friends, but the book tells how she rose above her personal circumstances and crazy lifestyle to forge a career and raise a family. Reading what she achieved against the odds is a good example of overcoming negative experiences to achieve your goals.
Jonzi D
I admire Jonzi D for his vision for hip hop – taking it to the next level and inspiring other artists. He is a massive force in the hip hop genre and has been a great success as artistic director of the annual Breakin’ Convention three-day event at Sadler’s Wells and touring it around the country.
Jeanefer Jean-Charles
An inspiring and successful woman who I can speak to and get advice.
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