Celebrate 40th anniversary of Northern School of Contemporary Dance

A scene from a 1980s work at Harehills Middle School, where NSCD founder Nadine Senior worked (and where she also inspired the creation of famed professional dance company Phoenix Dance). Pic: NSCD

The Leeds-based Northern School of Contemporary Dance will celebrate its 40th anniversary with Kaleidoscope, a year-long programme of events and celebrations highlighting the diverse people, stories and heritage that have made NSCD what it is today.

Based in Chapeltown, Leeds, the school is a leading UK centre for contemporary dance and currently the only institution to offer conservatoire-level professional training outside London.

Over the course of the coming year, the school will work with community groups including NSCD alumni and students, the Black Elders Association, Hillcrest Academy, the United Hebrew Congregation and other local groups to develop new works to represent local history and identity and ensure it is preserved for years to come.

Sharon Watson, the CEO and principal of NSCD, said: “The NSCD building is used by local communities for dance and creative activity, which contributes to a powerful, shared memory of place and time. Through Kaleidoscope, we are creating space for communities to come together, celebrate our collective history and embrace the diversity, passion and care that defines our heritage.”

NSCD has created a 40 Years/40 Seconds trailer to introduce Kaleidoscope and capture the spirit of those who have shaped the school over the past four decades. The film will continue to evolve throughout the project to form a living portrait of NSCD’s history. The school will also produce a digital archive and publication to preserve its early stories and heritage.

One of the most significant moments of the anniversary programme will take place in July, when NSCD hosts a Party in the Park to bring local communities together to celebrate dance and creativity.

Sharon Watson continued: “While the party itself is a one-off event, it is designed to deepen our connections with local communities, showcase the breadth of what we do at NSCD, and reflect the central role dance plays in the North. It is also about inspiring future generations of dancers to come and study here in Leeds."

Local people who would like to be involved can send memories, stories, videos, photos or objects relating to their experience with NSCD by emailing: kaleidoscope@nscd.ac.uk. The school can also be followed on Instagram, Threads, Facebook or LinkedIn (at @northern_school).

More info here