An intergenerational regional dance collaboration, with the dancers ranging in age from 10 to 84, culminates with a performance on Saturday at DanceEast’s Jerwood DanceHouse in Ipswich. Tom Bowes, Producer for Children and Young People at DanceEast, explains more
The youngest students at DanceEast’s Centre for Advanced Training have collaborated with EncoreEast, a company of older dancers, on an intergenerational dance project this term. Together, dancers aged from 10 to 84 have worked on an original work created by award winning choreographers Alleyne Dance, who were recently named Guest Artistic Directors for the National Youth Dance Company’s 2025/26 season.
The collaboration will culminate in a sold-out performance at the Jerwood DanceHouse on Saturday 2nd August as part of a mixed bill of original works commissioned by leading national and international choreographers – including Hofesh Shechter Dance Company, Alleyne Dance, Ceyda Tanc Dance, Jess and Morgs, Yukiko Masui, Motionhouse, and Far From The Norm.
The project was born out of a shared belief in the power of dance to bring people together, regardless of age. According to Tom Bowes, Producer for Children and Young People at DanceEast, bringing together the youngest DanceEast CAT students and EncoreEast felt like a natural way to explore that, creating something that celebrates the different energies, experiences, and perspectives they all bring.
Tom says: “There’s something powerful about seeing people of different ages dancing together. Artistically, it creates such a rich dynamic; you get the fluidity and energy of youth alongside the depth and expressiveness that comes with age. Socially, it breaks down barriers. It encourages empathy, challenges assumptions about ability, and reminds us that dance isn’t just for one stage in life. It’s something that can stay with you forever.”
Reflecting on Alleyne Dance’s involvement, choreographers Sadé and Kristina Alleyne say: “At Alleyne Dance we’ve always embraced working with a wide range of movers, from beginners to professionals, young people to elders, so this process felt like a natural extension of our practice. For us, it’s never about setting fixed choreography; it’s about building a shared language and creating a shared experience through physical movement, improvisation, and storytelling. What made this project special was the richness of intergenerational exchange, how different lived experiences shape how a gesture is felt, seen, and offered. We approached the creation with care, challenge, and curiosity, crafting a space where each dancer could contribute authentically. The result is a performance work based on living, breathing conversation across generations.”
Stella Eldon, representing EncoreEast, says: “EncoreEast were thrilled when DanceEast asked us if we would like to work with the CAT students. Our aim is to promote dance for everyone, and this is an amazing opportunity to share our practice with such a wonderful group of young people. Intergenerational dance creates a space to connect in ways that are often limited in wider society. We have been so impressed by the young people’s commitment, energy and professionalism. Watching them follow their passion is inspiring. It brings out the best version of themselves, and creates a sense of shared ambition, making us a better version of ourselves. Sharing this journey with them makes us feel optimistic about the future of dance and the world.”
One of the young dancers involved in the project, Tendai Dzvapatsva (aged 14) says: “This intergenerational project has not only taught us about dance but about life. I’ve learned not all journeys have to start at the beginning, sometimes they begin with a return, a memory, or a spark of curiosity. At first we, as the CAT program, thought ‘how can this intergenerational dance be executed?’ but EncoreEast has shown that age doesn’t close doors, it opens new paths we never imagined in our youth.”
Poppy Evans (aged 12) says: “This year it’s been amazing to work with such a diverse and talented group of people, Alleyne Dance has been one of the best experiences I’ve had, not only learning the choreography but hearing people’s stories. The technique and movement style are something I will take with me. What I’ve really come to understand on this project, is being able to connect with others sharing the love of dance no matter what age, is what really made it special. I’m so happy to be part of it.”
The DanceEast CAT offers high-quality training to young people aged 10-18 years with exceptional talent and potential in dance from the East of England. The CAT is part of a national programme supported by the Department for Education’s Music and Dance Scheme.
For more information about this collaboration and the performance at Jerwood DanceHouse, go to danceeast.co.uk. Also, visit EncoreEast Dance; CATs National Centres for Advanced Training and Alleyne Dance.
Featured image of Tendai by Alice Underwood
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