I had only graduated from my degree at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance a couple of years before applying for the Trailblazer award and so was quite young in my career, although very motivated, focused and determined. I had always wanted to establish myself as a dancer working with choreographers and dance companies who specialised within dance forms of the African diaspora. After my first apprenticeship position, dancing in the Nubian Steps production, I knew I still had a way to go and needed to widen my horizons and gain some more experience in order to do this and decided that further training, especially in the area of technique, at that point would benefit me to take my dancing to the next level. I also wanted to experience dancing in an environment with black dancers of the highest standard for inspiration and insight into what can be achieved, in order to gain further self belief in fulfilling my own potential and goals. For these reasons I chose to go and do the Alvin Ailey summer intensive course in New York and the Trailblazer award I received assisted me in being able to finance this period of development. It also supported me before hand in creating a plan of action and clarifying my intentions. The scheme has continued to support me through access to mentoring, networking and other professional opportunities. For me Trailblazers has been an ongoing form of support which has been more than financial and which is still there for me when I need assistance.

I brought back with me, from New York, a completely transformed attitude and confidence in myself and my dancing. I had gained so much information and technical tools during the intensive six weeks of training, that I made sure I was in class everyday when I returned to ensure I continued to develop physically and implement what I had been given. I also successfully began to gain the type of dance contracts and opportunities which I had always aspired to gain. One opportunity of which was working with IRIE! dance theatre. This was a great experience for me to continue to grow technically and more importantly as a performer and also to be working in various forms of Caribbean, contemporary and jazz dance. This led me to gain connections/links and then go on to visit numerous companies in the Caribbean, where I was nurtured and gained a cultural experience together with dance. I then also gained the opportunity of a long term contract with Tavaziva Dance, which was a truly great period of development in my career and was nice because I had met the company’s choreographer, Bawren Tavaziva, before auditioning for his company as he had also received a Trailblazer award at the same time as me! Through my Alvin Ailey Trailblazer experience, setting out to improve my technique and gain inspiration to take my career to the next stage, I believe I have gone on to establish what makes dance important to me and become more clear about the areas of dance I wish to engage in.

I am very involved and interested in African/Caribbean contemporary forms both social, modern and traditional in connection with my own cultural heritage and education. This is an area I am passionate about and wish to grow in and continue to discover more. I also aspire to be able to pass this on, through different means such as teaching my own classes and being involved in making documentaries. I am fortunate and feel privileged to be learning from and working with some of the most established, talented and specialised artist in their forms, such as Jackie Guy, Paradigmz, Jane Sekonya, H Pattern, Shelly Maxwell, and Aida Diop, amongst others. These are therefore very exciting times for me, continuing in the direction I set out in.

Yes, to go for it and if possible be clear about your long term plans in relation to the period of development which you choose to focus on but most importantly be true to yourself and your own passion, whatever stage you are at in your career.