Annual Conference

After a year of challenge, cancellations and postponed events for the organisation the Dance Network Association (dna) hosted their annual dance conference which took place on Wednesday 29 September 2021.

dna welcomed people to view, take part and learn from their programme activity including their postnatal and early years projects, an insight to their Dancing with Parkinson’s programme, their work with older adults and so much more.

Additionally, a wealth of dance workshops with national speakers, artists, and performance companies providing a well-rounded experience for all participants that chose to engage with the day was included.
​
The day was open to freelance artists wanting to develop their skills, educational teachers with an interest or specialism in dance’s also wishing to upskill and network with like-minded peers.

In addition, the organisation extended its invite to local social prescribers, GP’s, NHS workers, children’s centres, and anyone who wished to increase their knowledge and delivery skills on how dance positively benefits the communities physical and mental health and wellbeing. As well as enabling them to signpost residents and community members to dna’s work.
​
To allow a safe return to in-person activity, we ensured Covid guidelines and appropriate PPE was in place during the day to keep everyone safe.

The conference took place at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester and between the hours of 09:00 - 17:30.

Workshop Choices

Workshop 1
Choice 1 : BEEE Creative - Dance and Interdisciplinary Approaches to Creating -
introduction to their dance and light photography, dance and animation and talk/show
film about the dance and augmented reality. All three of these projects have been
developed using free downloadable apps and designed with young people. (For
teachers or dance artists working with Secondary school students)
OR
Choice 2 : 1st4Sport Level 3 Award in Supporting the delivery of Dance in Physical
Education and School Sport
OR
Choice 3 : dna (Emma Meek) - Working with the Early Years

Workshop 2
Choice 1 : Step Into Dance (Royal Academy of Dance) - offering the opportunity for
youth to connect to dance and supporting the development of dance for all young
people.
OR
Choice 2 : BEEE Creative - storytelling through multi-sensory activities. This is based on
our ‘In the Beginning’ dance and animation project. (For teachers or dance artists
working with Early Years/Primary school students)
OR
Choice 3 : dna (Emma Meek) - Take a Seat - a class for those who stay seated.

Workshop 3
Choice 1 : dna (Karen Pratt - Dance Development Officer) - Dancing with Parkinson's
OR
Choice 2 : New Adventures - offering professional development to teachers and dance
artists working with Primary school children, using warm up exercises, physical games,
dance phrases & creative tasks that can be added to your tool kit.
OR
Choice 3 : Para Dance - Inclusive Practice

Workshop 4
Choice 1 : dna (Karen Pratt - Dance Development Officer) - Dancing with Dementia
OR
Choice 2 : New Adventures - offering professional development to teachers and dance
artists working with Secondary school children, using warm up exercises, physical
games, dance phrases & creative tasks that can be added to your tool kit.
OR
Choice 3 : Cat Stiff (one of our Learn, Share MOVE! Teacher’s from John Bunyan School)
- Exploring vocabulary through dance for Primary school students


Schedule
9:00-9:30 Arrive/sign in, breakfast and networking
9:30-10:00 Welcome talk
10:00-10:30 Practical warm up
10:30-11:40 Workshop 1
11:45-12:00 Break
12:00-13:10 Workshop 2
13:15-14:00 Lunch and networking
14:00-15:10 Workshop 3
15:15-15:30 Break
15:30-16:40 Workshop 4
16:45-17:30 Q&A/Raffle/Closing
17:30 End of event
Lunch and refreshments are included!

We'll be releasing the details of our next Conference soon.