Northern Ballet performed an inclusive dance piece at Royal Ballet & Opera’s International Draft Works with music by Zhouhan Du from Leeds Conservatoire.
International Draft Works gathers budding choreographers from ballet companies around the world in a look at how the art form of ballet is ever changing and growing.
Zhouhan Du with choreographer George Liang. Photos throughout courtesy of Northern Ballet
Originally created for Northern Ballet’s Sketches programme in 2024, Sky Above, Voices Within explores movement and unity. Zhouhan, at the time an international student, from China, studying Music Production, shared the following:
“Throughout this collaboration, I made a conscious effort to think more like an audience member than a composer or producer, and to consider what would move me. In addition, I had an image of myself dancing and considered how music may enhance and refine my motions. When I was lacking inspiration, I would analyse each dancer’s step by step, interpreting their gestures and feelings into songs.”
Dancers performing Sky Above, Voices Within
The piece follows a journey where the dancers’ unique styles intertwine through fluid movement and dynamic choreography, celebrating individuality and inviting audiences to experience the beauty of self-expression and the power of inclusivity in dance.
Choreographed by company dancer George Liang, Sky Above, Voices Within showcases the talents of Kevin Poeung and Ability dancer Ruben Reuter. Ability is Northern Ballet’s dance course, designed for adults with learning disabilities.
Reflecting on this project, Zhouhan, now a Leeds Conservatoire graduate, described it as “inventive as well as socially significant.”
