The vibe, the challenge & the people around me!
15 October 2021We’re proud to have been part of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance apprenticeship scheme since 2014. Each year, as part of the scheme, we welcome two dance students to develop and dance with us. This year, we’re delighted to welcome Kadafi Mulula and Alice Marriott to the team.
Hi Alice & Kadafi, it’s brilliant to have you on board at Chameleon, tell us more about yourselves!
Alice: I was born and raised in Hong Kong and by the age of five started dancing. After living there for ten years I eventually moved to Singapore to continue my studies at United World College of South East Asia, where I found my passion for moving, training in both ballet and modern dance. Originally British, and now living in the UK for five years, I trained at Northern School of Contemporary Dance where I had the opportunity to work with choreographers Barnaby Booth and Jose Agudo, and eventually graduated with a First Class Honours Degree.
Kadafi: I was originally born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I moved to England when I was five years old. I’ve lived in Sheffield, Rotherham and I was raised in Leeds. My dance background is self-taught in hip hop and acrobatics. My high school teachers also supported and encouraged me as they saw potential in my skills. My contemporary and ballet training started at university at De Montford University.
What appealed to you about working with Company Chameleon as an Apprentice?
Alice: I was drawn towards Chameleon because of their ability to translate stories through performance, combining both strength and sensitivity in the quality of their repertoire. As connecting through story telling is at the heart of their works, I was intrigued about their process and how they develop ideas and concepts. I am also really drawn to the accessibility of how the company operates; creating boundless possibilities by bringing dance out onto the streets and transforming public spaces is really exciting to me.
Kadafi: What appealed to me about working with Chameleon was the flavour and texture of the Company’s movement style and the variations of techniques they use together. Also, how the work combines being grounded to the floor with explosive acrobatic movement.
What are you looking forward to most about your apprenticeship with us and the months ahead?
Alice: I have loved working as an apprentice with the company so far. Nearly a month in and we have begun working on Anthony’s piece ‘The Shadow’, exploring ideas around our own primitiveness and the unconscious mind. Thought provoking questions around self perception have surfaced which has been awakening and revealing.
We are also learning and developing Kevin’s piece ‘Void’, where we reflect on abstract spaces that were created during lockdown. Embodying and exploring the repertoire has made me really excited for live performances and our Spring tour. I feel so grateful for the continuous positive energy from Company Dancers, Juliana and Dave, who are so supportive and motivating. This year, I’m looking forward to my Chameleon journey and sharing the space with everyone who drops in.
Kadafi: It’s going amazing. I love the vibe, the challenge, and the people around me. The environment is so positive it’s crazy! Already, I feel like the Company are striving to push me past my limits but at the same time understand that it’s a process. I’ve learnt so much in just three weeks and I can’t wait to gain more knowledge around the fundamentals and philosophy of Chameleon’s craft.
I’m also looking forward to improving my understanding of adaptations to different techniques and further exploring my artistic identity. My overall is to become the best version of myself that I can possibly achieve.
Keep an eye on our socials to follow Alice and Kadafi on their apprenticeship journey with us over the next year 🙂