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.”
The young CAT students have found the experience transformative. Tendai Dzvapatsva, aged 14, said: “This intergenerational project has not only taught us about dance but about life. I’ve learned not all journeys have to start at beginning, sometimes they begin with a return, a memory, or a spark of curiosity.”
Poppy Evans, aged 12, added: “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.”
Stella Eldon, from 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.”
Photo credit Alice Underwoods
