Join us for our annual Freelance Networking Day, led by two Leeds based dance and teaching artists.

Both artists will share insights from their own unique practice, helping to spark discussion, exchange ideas and strengthen connections within the local dance community.

Schedule 

11:30 – Arrival, sign in, studio available for warm-up
12 – 1.30pm – Mayowa Ogunnaike – Contemporary technique
1.30 – 2.15pm – Lunch break
2.15 – 3.45pm – Will English – Improvisation
3.45 – 4pm – Break
4 – 4.30pm – Sharing from Phoenix Dance Theatre Company Dancers, Q&A with Douglas Thorpe
4.30 – 6pm – Gathering & open discussion facilitated by Mayowa Ogunnaike

Book here

Mayowa Ogunnaike

Mayowa is a British-Nigerian contemporary dance artist based in Leeds. Her name means ‘brings joy’ and she aims to encourage that sentiment throughout her practice.

In 2017 she graduated from Trinity Laban with a first class honours degree and an award for ‘outstanding achievement in Choreological Studies’. After graduating she joined Phoenix Dance Theatre as an apprentice dancer and has since worked as a performer for a variety of choreographers. Currently she is working on new productions with Gary Clarke Company and Léa Tirabasso.

Alongside performing, Mayowa delivers creative and technique classes across the UK, using this practice as an opportunity for sharing a wide ranging movement vocabulary, experimenting, collaborating with artists and facilitating cultural exchange.

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Will English

Will (he/him) is a freelance dancer and maker based in Leeds. Since graduating from dance school his career has taken him all over the UK & Europe performing for dance companies, fashion houses, theatre directors, musicians and more. He loves finding where dance can meet other artistic disciplines to create interesting and impactful work. 

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Douglas Thorpe

Douglas Thorpe trained at London Contemporary Dance School before joining Phoenix Dance Theatre (then Phoenix Dance Company), where he performed for over twenty years. In 2008, his choreographic voice emerged with the founding of Mad Dogs Dance Theatre, known for its explosive, powerful, and highly physical style. Since then, Douglas has built a strong reputation as a dynamic choreographer.  

 In 2009, he was commissioned to work with ACE Dance & Music and Phoenix Dance Theatre, followed by an invitation in 2011 to create a new work for Staatstheater Tanz in Braunschweig, Germany. As part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, Leeds Canvas and Brothers Quay commissioned him to create a duet for the Overworlds & Underworlds project, later performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  

 Douglas returned to Phoenix Dance Theatre in 2013 to create a new touring work, and his piece Beast was revived for their 2016 tours. He also created work for Verve 14, which toured nationally and internationally, later re-staged by Möbius in 2019. That same year, he was commissioned again for Verve 20. In 2023, Douglas collaborated with Red Ladder Theatre Company on TAXI and recently took part in artist development with CoLab North, supported by Bonnie Bird Choreography Fund.