Dance Projects
Emma produces moving, inclusive, dance and music performances and events, investing in local communities across Yorkshire and Hull.
PROJECTS & PROGRAMMES
LIFELINES
LifeLines celebrate working together thanks to Chris Nykiel & Emma Clayton collaboration in 2019 with community dance group CDFG (Contemporary Dance for Grownups).
LifeLines performers were able to juggle commitments in their working lives to perform at Diverse Festival, Aspire Day of Dance, Expressions 2019 & A Journey Through Time at Kirkstall Art Trail.
The group have grown so close, fully appreciating every second they get to meet and work as creative people together. We are still encouraging new people to join and everyone has equal opportunity to input ideas and choreographic suggestions.
BLOOD MEMORY
Blood Memory Dance is a community-based organisation established in 2017. Emma's innovative programme has attracted funding from Arts Council England, Hull Dance, HAVA Local and Leeds Inspired to support its intergenerational and professional dance practice.
It advocates working through creative practice to bring people together—young and old, to share quality time and the exchange of ideas in a fun and nurturing environment.
Teamwork and focus are the keywords. We all pulled together to create a piece of credible comedy dance theatre which is quite difficult. But we pulled it off. While we all contributed, all credit to Emma and Sophie for their choreo and leadership.
Fantastic sessions, really creative improved my confidence, loved the duets working in a team with Jenny and Angel and of course the live performance on stage at NB was really exciting / exhilarating as I haven’t done that with Lifelines before.
It was a lovely night and whole experience, thank you everyone, I’m so glad to be part of Lifelines.
It was a wonderful few weeks getting to know the dancers from Lifelines and building the dance ‘Spill the tea’. I loved having a real life tea party after every rehearsal too!
Escaping the fast pace of the technological world, we immerse ourselves in dance movement, staying present in the body using our location, each other and our environment for inspiration.
PAST EVENTS
2020-21
Blood Memory teamed up with Hull Dance 'Time of Our Lives'. This is an online project mentoring young artists from Hull and Yorkshire, devising live dance and collaborating with musician Georgia Jakubiak. The project allows people to reflect on experiences over the pandemic and uses movement as a positive way to communicate with others and look forward to a better future.
2019-20
Included in Emma's R&D projects are more bespoke performance events such as 'Hawksworth Memorial' at York Museum of Farming and a celebration of International Women's Day at Swarthmore Centre in Leeds.
2018
Blood Memory worked closely with partner organisations including HOPs, HAVA, Leeds Galleries & Museums and Hawksworth Wood Primary School to deliver 'The Big Shebang'. This project brought together 200 people of all ages from the Hawksworth Wood estate in north Leeds, inspiring a new dance commission and new community model. It was continued the following year as Emma created 'Counting Planes' which toured further into York and Hull.
It was fantastic working with Blood Memory Dance. I really loved working with the various styles and have since added the new learning into my own practice. It was great to get to know the company and find out more about their work.
— Participant, Bilton Grange, Hull
It was such a lovely opportunity to dance with my children and enjoy playing in a dance studio. You led it really well Emma, with flexibility and clarity. Thank you!
— Participant, Family workshop
Beautiful imagery of 1940’s icons—planes, zips, gas masks, hugs, good byes, etc. Loved the fusion of contemporary and hip hop. The music was superb and I loved the dialogue and the traditional 1940s songs. Very emotive and inspirational—loved it! I want to see it again! P.S. I want a boiler suit!
— Audience member, Yorkshire Museum of Farming
The show today was magnificent and reflects a great deal of effort on Emma's part. I thoroughly enjoyed it and by the look on the participants—young and old—they did too. It was lovely to see old and young performing together. I am so proud of our older ladies, they rock.
— Partner, Director of HOPS, Big Shebang