David Darcy on Dance Performance and Teaching

BA (Hons) Dance Performance and Teaching, 2014

UCLan Dance Performance and Teaching graduate, David Darcy, has fulfilled his career goals to become a freelance inclusive dance artist and choreographer.

David chose to study Dance Performance and Teaching at UCLan because the course perfectly fitted with his career aims, the access to facilities were second to none and most importantly, David liked the approach the University took to the course.

After graduation in 2014, David started his career as a performer/session assistant for an inclusive dance charity, DanceSyndrome, based at the Printworks, Manchester. He also worked as a retail sales assistant at Next. Since then, he has conducted himself as a freelance inclusive dance artist and choreographer, getting involved with numerous organisations and projects. These have included working as a choreographer for DanceSyndrome, creating inclusive dance pieces that reflect and respect the abilities of all the dancers.

David has also taken advantage of performance opportunities with AJDance Company and returned to UCLan to dance with a wide range of dancers of differing abilities and ages as part of the University’s 190th celebrations. Additionally, he was involved with a community group called Red Ribbon Cabaret, where he performed and choreographed dance pieces and co-led the group. David was involved in another project called S7, which entailed teaching weekly term-time street dance sessions to primary school students across the North-West.

In recent months, David has started working with Wigan-based dance company, Pies, Pianos and Pirouettes, where he delivers dance sessions in local primary and secondary schools. He is also currently in the process of recreating community-based dance company, Mind Body Movement.

Aside from dancing, David provides one-to-one care for someone with Downs Syndrome, where he provides support with everyday duties such as cooking and cleaning, as well as organising activities and trips out and dealing with arrangements with carers and organisations. David also provides much needed emotional support which he says, “has helped him inform and empathise in his dance practice.”

David spoke about his lasting memories of his time spent at UCLan, he said: “A lecture about a post-modern dance practitioner, Ted Shawn, moved me to tears. My third-year choreography project made me realise that creating dance was what I wanted to do with my life. Not appreciating at the time how important the community modules would play within my life, I now look back with great appreciation. Learning and exploring Somatic practice. Teaching, choreographing, performing and competing with UCLan Dance Club.”

When asked if he had any advice for students and graduates wanting to follow the same career route, David stated: “Take your time, if you want to, you will get there. Be open to change and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”