Name:Anna Daly
Position: Ludus Dance Community Dance Artist
Q. When did you start at Ludus Dance?
September 2000
Q. What do you do? (title/role)
I'm a Ludus Dance Community Dance Artist
Q. How did you find out about the job?
Advert in The Stage and chatting to the Touring Company at a teacher's workshop at Greenwich Dance Agency
Q. What is your previous training/education/experience?
I completed a BA Hons degree at Roehampton Institute in Dance Studies and Drama. I went onto qualify as a cecchetti classical ballet teacher and did an internship at a Dance college in Baltimore, USA, before starting freelance education and performing work.
Q. How does it feel to be a part of Ludus?
I moved up here, kit and kaboodles from London 2 years ago, and if Ludus wasn't the way it is, I doubt I would still be here. It really does feel like your adoptive family-we work hard and play hard. They don't mind if you're a bit on the kooky side either! It's a fun and extremely supportive team of people to work with, where your voice is heard and your work and opinions are valued. It's good for your soul!
Q. What does your job involve?
Teaching dance all over the county and sometimes further afield (Edinburgh/Yorkshire) to people from 18 months up to 80+ in different communities. It can be schools, youth clubs, hospitals, village halls and even the Market Square in Lancaster. Each one has its own agenda for wanting to dance, be it health, education, social reasons or just for fun
Q. What are your future plans and ambitions?
To take an understanding of dance for real people in real communities out to Europe, USA and nice hot sunny places. To also have a long graceful neck and my own hips when I am 80!
Q. What is the best part of your job?
You mean besides the money, men and fast company cars…….!
The variety of the work; you can be teaching professional dancers, toddlers and at a youth club in one day.
Also the people that I work with and those I get to meet.
And the wavelength that is shared by all at Ludus.
Q. What is the worst part?
Hmmmm…..don't do it for the money or if you like your hours 9-5pm
Q. What advice would you give to people who would like a job like yours? What training/education/experience do they need?
See above!
Get as much hands on experience as you can-watching different teachers, helping out, shadowing artists, getting involved in community projects-this is the best way to explore and understand how the arts work in practice with real people.
Never think you know it all-keep learning.
Random Q's
Q. What is your ideal day?
Somewhere remote, big fire, lots of food, lots of friends and lots of time!
Q. Are you a dog or a cat person? Why?
No question! Cats! I get them and they get me. I've always had cats-my earliest memory is holding onto our old cat Henry's tail and I've had many amazing cats since. Furry friends past and present, Henry, Oscar, Moped, Malcolm, Elvis, Cilla, our beloved Winston (still missing) and dearly missed Kevin. Sorry!…..Does that answer the question??
Name:Andrea Frisch
Position: Ludus Dance Community Dance Artist
Q. When did you start at Ludus?
February 2002
Q. What do you do?
Community Dance Artist
Q. How did you find out about the job?
Through an email group
Q. What is your previous training/education/experience?
Did a P.E teaching degree in Uruguay.
Foundation course at Northern School of Contemporary Dance.
Post Graduate diploma in Community Dance
Q. How does it feel to be a part of Ludus?
I really enjoy working in a supportive environment, like Ludus.
Q. What does your job involve?
Teaching workshops to schools, special needs. Adult classes, children etc
Q. What are your future plans and ambitions?
That's a tricky one. I would love to work with dance in Uruguay.
Q. What is the best part of your job?
When a workshop goes really well and it gives you a real buzz.
Q. What is the worst part?
When people don't understand what you're trying to do.
Q. What advice would you give to people who would like a job like yours? What training/education/experience do they need?
They need to do a dance course. Make contact with your local dance agency. Do lots of volunteering to make yourself known.
Q. What is your favourite song and why?
Haven't got a favourite song but I love world music. At the moment I'm listening to the World Music 2002 compiled by Charlie Gillet
Q. If you could be an animal which one would it be and why?
I would love to be a wild horse and roam freely around the prairie
Name: Hannah Robertshaw
Position: Community Dance Artist & Project Co-ordinator
Q. When did you start at Ludus Dance?
September 2002
Q. What do you do? (title/role)
I'm a Community Dance Artist and I also work as the Project Co-ordinator for Ludus Dance
Q. How did you find out about the job?
I was surfing the web and came across the fabulous Ludus website. I was so impressed that I sent them an email to introduce myself!
Q. What is your previous training/education/experience?
I started dancing at an early age and undertook classes in ballet, jazz and contemporary. I then completed a BA Hons degree in dance and theatre arts at Birmingham University. During my degree course I choreographed short pieces and went to see a lot of professional work. I then decided that I didn’t have the desire to perform that some of my friends had and that I wanted to do something a bit different.
Q. How does it feel to be a part of Ludus?
I was so excited when I got the job at Ludus because it meant a massive change. Although I was born in Yorkshire, I had always lived in the south of England and felt really excited to be moving North. Ludus to me is like a big family. I feel really supported and I always get to share my crazy ideas with the team.
Q. What does your job involve?
As a Community Dance Artist, I deliver dance workshops and training sessions to anyone in the community who wants to dance! I work with mini-movers (18month – 3yrs), school groups, youth groups (11 – 16yrs), university students and adults. I run Integr-8 in Preston, an integrated youth dance group and I also run the Ludus Youth Dance Company, who we audition annually. I often work at the weekends and I have to travel a lot. In 2004 and 2006 Anna and I went to Athens to work with a refugee group…this was a fantastic project and is about the furthest I’ve traveled since working at Ludus!
As Project Co-ordinator, I get to mastermind some of the projects for the dance development department. This includes things like the Ludus Youth Dance Showcase, Dance Cuts and all the work for the Ludus Youth Dance Company. All in all, I am a busy bee!
Q. What are your future plans and ambitions?
I would really love to keep developing the work of the Ludus Youth Dance Company. I often choreograph pieces on the company and so am keen to keep doing this. I would also love to do more work abroad (preferably in the sunshine!) As long as I am working with people I am happy!
Q. What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is working in such a great team. I love doing a creative job and working with the community. I recently had to tell the Youth Dance Company that they had been selected by Youth Dance England for the National Festival…that felt pretty good to have the group screaming at me down the phone! Every year at the Youth Dance Showcase, I always get a real buzz at watching the groups come off stage after they have performed…everyone always looks so exhilarated…that’s really rewarding.
Q. What is the worst part?
Sometimes the hours aren’t great, especially when I have to work at the weekends when everyone else is out to play! The money could be better too!
Q. What advice would you give to people who would like a job like yours? What training/education/experience do they need?
I would advise any young person to join a youth dance group and get stuck in with everything that is on offer in your area. Also, never be afraid to ask questions! It’s good to go away to do a more intensive course and universities have a lot of great courses on offer as well as the dance establishments such as Laban and Northern. Don’t limit your choices too much. Finally, I truly believe in never closing any doors…leave your options open and never put all your eggs in one basket (profound words!)
Random Q's
Q. What is your ideal day?
Being somewhere beautiful with all my friends and family, eating lots of food and relaxing in the sunshine!
Q. Are you a dog or a cat person? Why?
Cats all the way! I have two cats called Claude and Daisy. They are truly strange creatures but I love them with all my heart. I think I was probably a cat in a former life. My entire family is obsessed with cats so I must have inherited the cat gene!