Phoenix Dance Theatre will be hosting its second Choreographers and Composers Lab in summer 2019 at its studios in Leeds, thanks to funding from the Jerwood Charitable Foundation and Leeds Dance Partnership. Led by Artistic Director Sharon Watson, the lab is an opportunity for the next generation of artists to work collaboratively, innovate, and develop new ways of working in music and dance.

“Many artists value the opportunity to challenge their working methods, but rarely get the chance to do so due to the focus on a final product” says Artistic Director Sharon Watson. “The Lab provides a platform for choreographers and composers to deepen their connection to their own art form and to each others.”

The Choreographers and Composers Lab will bring together four choreographers and four composers at a pivotal point in their careers, to participate in an immersive two-week programme. The participating artists will work with twelve professional dancers and four musicians, who will bring their artistic explorations to life.

“We are thrilled to have the support of a major funder like the Jerwood Charitable Foundation which enables us to offer a bursary to each participating artist” continues Mark Hollander, Executive Director, “backing from Leeds Dance Partnership supports our aspiration to develop new and diverse voices in contemporary dance and music in the city and the wider region.”

Chair of Leeds Dance Partnership, Mark Skipper DL added ‘Leeds Dance Partnership is delighted to be supporting this innovative opportunity to create collaborative opportunities for choreographers and composers to work together.”

Phoenix’s first Choreographers and Composers Lab was successfully held in July 2015 with some notable outcomes, including a commission for choreographer Sandrine Monin and composer Roberto Rusconi to collaborate on their first professional dance work and score, Calyx, which was named ‘Best Premiere 2017’ by Dance Europe Magazine.

 

The two–week intensive Choreographers and Composers Lab will run in the summer months 2019 (dates tbc).

Followed by two sessions in Autumn 2019 and February 2020.

Phoenix Dance Theatre will be making a call out for applications from 1^st November 2018
via our website www.phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk

 

ENDS

**Jerwood Charitable Foundation is dedicated to imaginative and responsible revenue funding of the arts, supporting artists to develop and grow at important stages in their careers. The aim of its funding is to allow artists and arts organisations to thrive; to continue to develop their skills, imagination and creativity with integrity. It works with artists across art forms, from dance and theatre to literature, music and the visual arts. For more information visit www.jerwoodcharitablefoundation.org

 

**Leeds Dance Partnership is a group of organisations and individuals who are working together to develop the city as an international centre of excellence for dance. Leeds Dance Partnership is supported by Arts Council England and Leeds Bid. For more information please contact Partnership Director Shirley Lundstram shirley@leedsdancepartnership.com