Opportunities aplenty for talented dancers

Dance students and graduates certainly have a spring in their step after linking up with a prestigious regional dance company.

Teesside University graduates Gabriella Garroway and Holly Bellamy recently spent time at FERTILE GROUND, the North East’s first professional graduate dance company based at Newcastle’s Dance City.

Gabriella, 22, completed a three month graduate internship, while Holly, 22, secured a six month apprenticeship after impressing at an audition.

The pair, who both graduated last year with a BA (Hons) Dance, performed across the region, held workshops in schools, colleges and universities and passed on their skills and knowledge to other aspiring dancers.

They were invited back to Teesside University by FERTILE GROUND who are holding auditions across the region to find six talented dancers to complete six month work placements.

Three current Teesside University dance students, Bethany Robinson, Matthew Redhead and Emma Graham, impressed the panel and have been selected for the next round of auditions.

Holly, who is also helping to organise the Tees Dance Film Fest taking place on 14 May, said: 'It was a great experience working at FERTILE GROUND and I got the opportunity after taking part in a similar audition process.

'The time I spent there was great – I was able to meet other dancers and artists and got real world experience. It is nice to maintain a link with FERTILE GROUND and come back to help other dancers at Teesside University.'

Gabriella is now working as a freelance dance teacher and creator and secured her placement at FERTILE GROUND through the University’s Graduate Internship Scheme.

She said: 'My role was to engage people in the community with the company and dance as a whole. It was a challenge, but really enjoyable and I learned a lot during my three months.' Dora Frankel, Artistic Director at FERTILE GROUND, was impressed with the talent of dancers at Teesside University.

She said: 'Our aim is to find the best of the region’s dance talent. Both Gabriella and Holly did a fantastic job for us and we are delighted to again be working with Teesside University as we look for the dance stars of the future.'

Heike Salzer, BA (Hons) Dance Programme Leader at Teesside University, added: 'We have some amazingly talented dance students and graduates at Teesside University and we are proud to be able to link up with innovative companies such as FERTILE GROUND which provide a platform for these talented dancers to flourish.'

In addition, the University’s School of Arts & Media has been shortlisted for Outstanding Departmental Administration Team in the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards 2015. The winners will be announced on Thursday 18 June.

School of Arts & Media fact file Teesside is the only University in the Tees Valley offering art and design courses – everything from traditional pathways to new and innovative programmes in indie games, fashion and textiles.

All courses are based on the town centre campus in which there has recently been a £250m investment and international art gallery mima is now part of the University.

Graduates have gone on to top positions in companies such as Aston Martin, Philips, F1, Dreamworks and Marvel Comics. Contemporary partners include Dance City and Hyper Island.

---