Within the wide world of dance there is a persistent debate about the role of women in the profession and the astonishing lack of opportunities available to the gender that outnumbers men by a considerable margin. One reason, often cited by those “in the know”, is that women have children and little ones scampering about the dance studio floor are incompatible with a career in dance because….. reasons!
Nikki O’Hara is a dancer, choreographer and teacher. Trained at Bird College in Kent she has enjoyed a long career as a performer with Motionhouse Dance Theatre and many other independent companies over the years alongside creating and touring her own work. Most recently she was a solo aerial performer in the opening ceremony of the European Games in Azerbaijan. Her main job at the moment though involves being a senior lecturer in contemporary dance and choreography at both Bird College and Performers College, she is also a mother to 18 month old Jacob.
Rosie Kay is a graduate of London Contemporary Dance School and the Artistic Director of Rosie Kay Dance Company. As well as extensively touring and creating her own work with the company for the past 11 years Rosie also teaches rather a lot and is the “..Leverhulme Artist in Residence at the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnology, University of Oxford” which is just as posh it sounds! Rosie is also a mother to her 10 month old son Gabriel.