Ex-student Jessica Van De Koot has had a very exciting career since starting her training at the Brenda Key School of Dance all those years ago!
Jess has founded her very own dance company, The VDK Dance Company, and recently got in touch to share some news with us about an exciting new project, as well as some fond memories of her time at BKSOD. We hope you enjoy reading all about them!
Over to Jess:
"I started dancing at The Brenda Key School for Dance when I was four, I loved my time there and was supported and encouraged particularly by ‘Miss Nadia’ and ‘Miss Key’. They inspired the dedication and artistry needed for the job and made it fun and exciting for me too! The school's termly sharings, where family and friends were invited to watch, inspired confidence and pride in their students. Since leaving the school I have completed my BA in contemporary dance at London Contemporary Dance School and then my MA at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, during which I did a 10 month apprenticeship with Holstebro Dance Company in Denmark. Since graduating, I have worked as a dancer with companies and choreographers such as Sweetshop Revolution Dance Theatre, Thomas Goetz, Sita Ostheimer and Richard Alston Dance Company to name a few.
"I am now embarking on a very exciting project of my own! Two colleagues and I have created a selection of solos and duets with an overarching theme of Greek Mythology. The performance touches on hope, companionship as well as the realities of ageing. We feel this performance is important because it celebrates Greek culture as well as the reality of growing old - Greece has a large percentage of elderly residents and therefore we feel that this project will touch and reflect their own lives. This project is very close to my heart as I am half Greek and I would love to see work reflecting and supporting our family’s experiences.
"We have started a fundraiser in order to fund this new venture and we would so appreciate any donations - big or small.
"Please search the following for more information: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jessica-vandekoot?utm_term=MevwADqjn
"And check out our website: https://thevdkdancecompany.wordpress.com/ ."
How exciting!! We're so proud of Jess and everything she's achieved, and her new work sounds brilliant.
Thanks for reading.
BKSOD x
