Being in a studio environment every day surrounded by dancers and friends who continue to inspire you and mentored by teachers who motivate you – it’s just immense.
When did you start dancing?
I began ballroom and Latin from the age of three and absolutely loved it – especially competing. At age ten I was performing in my local dance school’s annual showcase and the presenter of the showcase suggested I audition for the CAT scheme at Dance City in Newcastle. I took her advice, auditioned and gained a place. I wasn’t keen at first – I had no experience of ballet and contemporary at all and it felt like an unnatural way to move. After a year or so I became hooked and I’ve never looked back!
What was it like to win the BBC Young Dancer competition last year?
I didn’t expect to make it past the first round but ended up as the wild card in the final. I got to work with Patricia Okenwa from Rambert Dance Company who choreographed my final solo and we rehearsed at Rambert Company’s studio. By then I already had been offered a place at Rambert School and knew that was where I wanted to go.
How are you enjoying life at Rambert School?
I’m absolutely loving it. Being in a studio environment every day surrounded by dancers and friends who continue to inspire you and mentored by teachers who motivate you – it’s just immense.
I especially love the freedom at Rambert School to explore, having studio space available to you in the evenings and at weekends you can just get in there and create. I think that is why we see such diversity here, I have great respect when I see others doing their own thing.
What do you like best about living in London?
The variety of things you can do and the opportunities the city has to offer. I love the fact that nearly all of the artists I listen to often come to London for gigs, that’s really exciting for me.
Are you interested in developing your own choreographic skills, or is it being a dancer that drives you?
Both! There is no doubt that being a dancer is my passion but I would very much like to choreograph in the future. I really enjoyed choreographing for this term’s student showcase, but found it more difficult than I had expected. You mature throughout the process. No-one is holding your hand and you need to be organised – that prepares you for the profession.
October 2017 – Connor is delighted to be a recipient of Wingate Fellowship from the Harold Higham Wingate Foundation which will help support him during his final year of training at Rambert School.