Creative Learning

D.A.N.C.E
Dance Apprentice network Across Europe 2007 - 2009

Artistic Direction : William Forsythe, Wayne McGregor, Frédéric Flamand, Angelin Preljocaj
Associated Artists : Michèle Anne De Mey, Thierry De Mey, Pierre Droulers, Lutz Gregor

The aim of D.A.N.C.E. is to create a dialogue between diverse artistic disciplines around dance to create a pan-European training for young artists.

D.A.N.C.E. is a European interdisciplinary professional insertion programme for young dancers under the Artistic Direction of Frédéric Flamand, William Forsythe, Wayne McGregor and Angelin Preljocaj. Affiliated to this foursome are Pierre Droulers, Michèle Anne De Mey and Thierry De Mey, the new artistic direction of Charleroi/Danses and the independent media artists Lutz Gregor and Christian Ziegler.

The apprentice programme offered by D.A.N.C.E. is based upon an intense training in both classical and contemporary dance techniques combined with an interdisciplinary approach to the art form involving other diverse disciplines. D.A.N.C.E. has been conceived in collaboration with 30 Institutions from 17 member states of the European Union and was founded in 2004.

The programme is designed for young dancers between 18 – 22 years old, who have recently completed a traditional dance training Programme. These internationally renowned choreographers are assisted by their chosen team of experts in the related and diverse artistic fields and subjects covered in the programme. The objective is to confront them with the complexities of the contemporary interdisciplinary universe, to familiarise them with the daily life of a dance company, to offer them new contacts and to broaden their horizons in the professional world.

The Programme has two bases, the South Base is in Aix/Marseille (Ballet Preljocaj and the Ballet National de Marseille) and the North Base is in Dresden (Palucca Schule Dresden – Hochschule für Tanz). All Apprentices have a university student status in the Palucca Schule and upon completion, receive a certificate from the D.A.N.C.E. Programme and either a Master Class Diploma or Guest Student Certificate from the Palucca Schule.

The current cohort of 19 are divided into 10 men and 9 women.. There is a huge presence from France with 8 French artists joining the programme. Other dancers come from around the globe: Poland, Hungary, Belgium, Spain, Japan, Israel, Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, Brazil, Portugal, and England

Random are delivering a 20 week curriculum during Year 1 and 2. It will be delivered through imaginatively rigorous sessions encompassing technique, research based Choreography workshops, Semiotics, Repertory and Choreology modules. In addition, Education Projects, based at the Palucca Schule, will be designed to cultivate the relevant teaching skills to work with young people.

www.danceacrosseurope.com