Co3 makes international debut

Co3, in association with STEPS Youth Dance Company, will make its first international appearance when six young West Australian dancers represent the company at the 13th World Congress of Dance and the Child International (daCi) in Copenhagen, Denmark, during July. The dancers, aged 11- 17 years, are all former members of STEPS Youth Dance Company whose programs of contemporary dance for young people have been taken up by Co3 in 2015. Under the leadership of Alice Lee Holland, and supported by emerging artist and former STEPS company member, Jacinta Larcombe, the dancers will present a world premiere season of You be my mirror, a dance work created especially for the Congress. The work has been created by Holland in collaboration with the dancers and addresses the Congress theme of “Identity in Dance.”

Holland explains: “The work has been created to showcase the distinct movement personalities of the six young dancers – and to celebrate a creative process that develops their individual artistry and collaborative skills simultaneously. The dancers have worked tremendously hard to prepare for the tour and we’re really proud to share this work on an international platform.”

daCi is an association dedicated to the growth and development of dance for children on an international basis. The Congress is the primary international platform for performance, promotion and research presentation for dance for young people and engages with children, young people, educators, artists and researchers.

Co3 Artistic Director, Raewyn Hill, said: “That STEPS has been selected to perform, present workshops and a lecture at this international event is an endorsement of the company’s leadership in youth dance practice. It is a highly competitive platform and Co3 is delighted that we will have young ambassadors for the young people’s programs representing the company in this prestigious context.”

In 2015, 35 groups of children and young people from across the world will attend the Congress, which will be attended by over 700 people. daCi runs from 5 – 10 July. Apart from performing and presenting workshops and a lecture, the young dancers will participate in a range of dance activities including opportunities to explore dance genres and styles from across the world.

The daCi Tour has been supported by the State Government of Western Australia through the Department of Culture and the Arts and STEPS Youth Dance Company.

Media Enquiries

Gabrielle Sullivan

daCi Project Manager

M 0409 84 86 84

E cdcwamanager@gmail.com

W co3.org.au