Why the move to community based dance in Northern Ireland?
In many ways, this doesn’t feel like a move away from anything, it feels like a return to where I started. My own journey into dance began through youth dance. I was lucky to attend a secondary school with a strong performing arts focus, and I had an incredibly inspiring dance teacher, Hannah Batley, who I continued working with even after I graduated through her youth company in the south east of England. That early experience was everything, it set the course for where I am now.
Alongside my work as a touring artist, I’ve always stayed closely connected to community dance. While I was in Wales, I worked extensively with different organisations and later became Engagement Artist at National Dance Company Wales. That role really deepened my belief in an ecosystem approach to dance.
For me, it’s never been about separating “high-level” artistic work from community engagement. The most exciting model is one where those things are connected, where work of real quality and ambition is being made and presented on major stages, while also being rooted in schools, community centres and local spaces.
I’ve led projects in social clubs at the same time as performing in large international venues and festivals, and I see all of that as part of the same picture. That’s what makes this role at DU Dance (NI) feel like such a natural fit. It aligns with how I already think and work.
What excites me now is the opportunity to build on that in Northern Ireland, to contribute to an existing landscape of brilliant artists and organisations, and to help strengthen those connections between people, places and practice. Stepping into a leadership role like this feels like the right moment to bring those experiences together and help drive that forward.
Have you any particular ideas for developing the approach of the DU Dance organisation which you would be able to share at the moment?
It’s very clear to me that DU Dance (NI) has been built and guided with real care and heart, and my role now is to build on that as we move into the next chapter.
A big part of that is about supporting and strengthening the work that already exists, while also opening up new possibilities. I’m interested in how we can deepen our connections with communities, but also how we connect more widely with artists, organisations and companies, both locally and beyond.
There’s something important about recognising DU Dance (NI) as part of a wider network, an ecosystem of dance development, and really leaning into that. How we support pathways into dance, how we nurture artists, how we create opportunities for people to engage at different stages of their lives.
There are definitely new artistic collaborations and projects already in development, which I’m really excited about. I won’t say too much just yet, but there’s a lot of energy behind what’s coming, and I’m looking forward to sharing more soon.
What are the key activities or events DU Dance has coming up?
We have some brilliant activity coming up in the near future, including our Primary School Dance Festivals.
These will take place in Belfast on the 20th and 21st of May, and in Derry on the 4th of June. They’re a really important part of what we do, bringing young people together, giving them a platform to perform, and celebrating dance at that early stage.
They capture something essential about DU Dance (NI); creating opportunities, building confidence and making space for young people to experience the joy of performing and being part of something collective.
I’d say as we look ahead that whether you’re a teacher, an artist, a dancer, a company, a friend of ours or entirely new to us, do come and connect and reach out. You’ll find me at jack@dudanceni.com
See more of the work of Jack Philp and Du Dance at the links below
www.jackphilpdance.co.uk/
www.dudanceni.com/
