Tuesday 18th September saw teachers and dancers coordinating performances for YSDF18 come together for an amazing practical workshop with Jon Beney. The free workshop is part of the package schools and groups receive when they take part in the Yorkshire Schools Dance Festival.
Jon trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and has worked extensively as a performer and choreographer both in the UK and worldwide. He recently worked as mass rehearsal director for Akram Khan on 'Kadamati'. This unique outside performance involved over 720 amateur dancers and was performed earlier this year in Paris and Edinburgh. The event is captured perfectly in this short film.
Jon's specialism is undoubtedly his ability to inspire individuals of all ages and experience to engage in dance. The workshop allowed him to demonstrate how ideas generated by participants can be shaped into impressive performances.
Jon said afterwards, "The Yorkshire Schools Dance Festival is such an important event. It's not about competing, it's just about young people enjoying dance and what dance can offer. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching the session and it was great to be a room with likeminded passionate teachers."
You can watch a clip showing a sequence developed during the session below. You can also watch a film, 'Why I Move', that details Jon's inspiring journey into dance.
The Yorkshire Schools Dance Festival promotes and develops dance opportunities for children and young people across the region. We provide a range of training and support - including free workshops in schools and access to special offers and events from organisations like Leeds Beckett University, Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Yorkshire Dance.
We are grateful for the financial support of our 2018 sponsors, York College, Yorkshire Education and the York & North Yorkshire Dance Hub.
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