RJC Dance Alumni Interviews: Oliver Dixon

We are so fortunate to have some incredible photography of our RJC Dance community, and many of those shots were taken by our own alumna, Oliver Dixon. In this interview, we learn more about Oliver's experience at RJC Dance, and what he's gone on to do since.

When were you with RJC Dance Youth Provision?

I joined RJC Dance Youth Provision at the age of 15 years old and I am now 29. I was a member of RJC Dance Youth Provision for 3 years.

How would you describe your time at RJC Dance Youth Provision?

I joined RJC Dance Youth Provision having spent time at a different Youth Dance company where I was unhappy due to the cold atmosphere. I felt the only benefit there was the dance training, rather than anything else. It was around this time that I discovered RJC Dance and was immediately captured by how much of a family everyone at RJC Dance was. I always felt like I had friends and colleagues who wanted to include me as much as wanting to dance; and how intrinsic it was that you were made to feel welcome as part of the RJC Dance group. I felt valued for everything and it was a really nice feeling from the very beginning, making me want to stay.

The Director, Kathy Williams, really did a wonderful amount of work to prepare me for my Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) auditions, and this was very beneficial for me. I still remember my very first class at RJC Dance Youth Provision with De-Napoli Clarke (Napps), it was a really amazing experience - one which I look back on fondly as one of the good points of my dance career. RJC Dance always felt like home.

What is your favourite memory from your time here?

The audition we did for Britain’s Got Talent, it was amazing. It was so different - it really sticks out as a fun memory. Aside from that, I just remember Napps being Napps!

What would you say your greatest achievement was while you were with RJC Dance Youth Provision?

My greatest achievement was taking part in the Leeds West Indian Carnival. It was something that I had no idea existed, and when I first heard of it I thought it would just be a normal walking parade. But it blew me away how amazing, consuming, massive and important it actually was. It made me realise that dancing was something that people could do just for the pure joy of dancing.

How would you describe RJC Dance Youth Provision in three words?

Community, inspiring, and bloody good fun.

Where are you now?

Initially after school I was a student at the NSCD. However due to a serious injury in my second year, I was unable to train and therefore couldn’t pass the year, so I was looking to re-do the year again. I used to do photography as a hobby and so during the downtime I spent my time doing photography and started to really flourish in this field. When the time came to re-enrol for the NSCD, I forgot. These days, I take wedding and commercial photography. I also do events and work for RJC Dance, as I like to give back a little bit of what RJC Dance did for me as a young person to others. It is touching to know that even years later, after I had left RJC Dance Youth Provision as a young person, Kathy continues to support me and throw work my way when she can.

What words of inspiration can you provide for the young people who want to join a participatory dance organisation or and go into the Arts and Culture Industry?

It is hard working in the Arts as a career, the Creative Arts world is one of the toughest in the world to be in. Even as a photographer you are judged, as it is your expression. Don’t change who you are to fit in, because Art is expression and if it’s not yours then there’s no point. So be you and find your own way to do it.

RJC Dance reaches further than they are aware of. One of the teachers at my wife’s workplace was recommending RJC Dance classes to her during the first lockdown. Join RJC Dance Youth Provision - it will be one of the best things you will do, even if you don’t want to be a dancer, it is a good choice to make.