A large project that brought great pleasure was working in collaboration with East London Dance and the Royal Opera House on 'Street Stories'. Directing and mentoring fifteen emerging artists to collaborate under pressure, supported by the skills of a tremendous group of guest artists and artistic advisors, was a mammoth project. In July at the Linbury Theatre, the six creative teams showcased a prototype response to the fairy tale 'Hansel and Gretel' performed by a group fantastic volunteer artists. After this scratch performance, Kerry led a feedback session within a rotation pattern as devised in collaboration with Liz Lerman and based on her Critical Response Process. Huge thanks to the esteemed audience who gave their time on a late Friday evening in the summer to offer valuable insight and comment to these exciting Emerging Artists. The teams produced ambitious and intriguing work and Kerry is sure that the feedback given will allow them to further progress in their chosen fields.
From the fifteen, a small creative team has been awarded a commission for phase two of the project and Kerry will continue to be the Artistic Director throughout this period – supporting them all the way to the main performances at the Royal Opera House in May 2014. Have no doubt – the details will follow!
Our biggest venture to date, was our KND Summer Programme at the home of English National Ballet in South Kensington. Packed with master classes, inspirational live music from David, choreographic and music collaboration workshops, massage and sell-out professional mentoring sessions - the two-week professional development programme built on the success of our December week and again attracted a high standard of dancer. Participants came from across the world to join us - Italy, Greece, Israel and Taiwan to name a few, as well as own brilliant London-based professional dancers.
“As always, Kerry provided an exceptional week along with the musical talents of David. I have yet to come away from any of your classes feeling unsatisfied.”
Summer Programme '13 Participant
“KND has renewed my faith in my abilities whilst still challenging me to push further. My mentoring session was exactly the guidance I've been searching for.”
Summer Programme '13 Participant
"These are the only classes where I feel I really am given value for money in terms of the teaching, music, movement material and space. Your energies are wonderful and I look forward to the next one!"
Summer Programme '13 Participant
We were fortunate to have many guests observing classes over the fortnight and we were thrilled to welcome back Temple Clark, a storyboard artist who joined us in December.
KND and Temple are currently hatching plans for a future collaborative project – and you will hear more shortly!
Thank you to all who shared their summer with KND and gave their energy so abundantly in all sessions. We are also grateful for your valuable, helpful and kind feedback and comment via our evaluation forms too. A heartfelt thank you from Kerry, David and Emili.
CURRENT ACTIVITY
Kerry is currently preparing for her next choreographic commission this autumn on MAP Dance participants at Chichester University. She is also returning to the Royal Ballet Upper School to work with the 3rd years before their auditioning phase starts.
WHAT NEXT?
KND Choreographic Weekend: 12th and 13th October 2013
In association with Southbank Centre, KND is leading an intensive choreographic weekend within a site-specific explorative project for emerging choreographers at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Hall and Royal Festival Hall.
Focusing on creating work from and for a specific space, this weekend will provide a creative environment in which participants will be challenged to enhance their own choreographic processes through task based work as well as self-reflection.
The first day will be practical and take place in the foyer spaces of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, with tasks being set in unusual places – some in front of windows, drawing attention and being inspired by the views across the city. The second day will take place in the Royal Festival Hall and focuses on how to give and receive peer feedback, and offers personal tutorials specifically for reflecting on the participant's current choreographic work.
This experience provides an unmatched opportunity to choreograph and play in an unusual setting without a performance deadline, and gain individual feedback outside of academic parameters.
This opportunity is open to students still in their training or recent graduates from university and vocational settings, both classical and contemporary.
Booking is now open on the website with limited numbers available and a quick turn around - see our
Experience KND page for more details.
Finally, we would like to thank you for your involvement throughout the first year of KND, and we look forward to seeing more of you in the future. Your support and engagement continue to be the positive driving force behind the company, and we hope to continue to deliver in what promises to be an exciting year to come.
See you soon,
Kerry Nicholls
Director, KND
“Always a pleasure. I wish KND all the success it deserves. It really lifts spirits and pushes you to achieve great things.”
Summer Programme '13 Participant
