News

On Friday night the much-anticipated One Dance UK Awards 2020 digital ceremony premiered online, celebrating the resilience, innovation, and creativity that has kept the heart of the dance sector beating, even in times of adversity.

Recipients of the coveted awards this year included English National Ballet School Healthcare Team, Yorkshire Dance, M&S, who received recognition for their “Go Jumpers” Campaign as the recipient of the Dance Campaign Award, and Corey Baker, who filmed his unique and entertaining acceptance speech in a bathtub! The Rising Star Award was given this year to Vickie Simmonds who only at the start of her career, has already founded her own wheelchair dance group, having a positive impact on many people’s lives. The prestigious Jane Attenborough Award was awarded to Dr Valerie Preston-Dunlop, leading specialist in the life and work of Rudolph Laban, for her outstanding work in the creation and development of the discipline of choreology. Her career, spanning over 70 years, has had an immeasurable impact on the world of dance.

Andrew Hurst, Chief Executive at One Dance UK comments, “We are delighted to still have been able to host our annual awards, and were proud to see so many people from all around the UK people tuning in and lending their support. Now more than ever, it is important for us to shine a light on the incredible work that has been taking place in our sector and to thank everyone who has contributed to making the UK dance sector so vibrant and diverse.”

Hosted by Akosua Boakye BEM and filmed in advance on location (and following strict COVID-19 guidance) at The Courtyard in Hereford, the event was an important opportunity for the sector to come together as a community to support each other and to celebrate everyone whose hard work and dedication is making a difference in the UK dance sector. From thousands of nominations, a panel of expert judges from across the dance sector selected a shortlist of nominees for each category.

 

AWARD RECIPIENTS

Dance in Wales Award – Groundwork Pro

Primary Dance Education Award – Tina Vallance (JayaDance)

Secondary Dance Education Award – Hilary Seaton-Roche

Inspirational Lecturer at College, University or Conservatoire Award – Claire Nicholson

Inspirational Community Dance Practitioner Award – Charlotte Armitage

Inspirational Work in Education & Outreach Award – Shaper/Caper

Dance for Wellbeing Award – Sandra Golding

Research in Dance Award – Mickael Marso Riviere

Dance Healthcare Practitioner Award – Katy Chambers

Dance Healthcare Team Award – English National Ballet School Healthcare Team

Applied Dance Science Award – Sonia Rafferty

Innovation in Dance Award – Wilkie Branson

Dance Campaign Award – Marks & Spencer – “Go Jumpers” Campaign

Dance Programming Award – Phil Hargreaves

Dance on Film Award – Corey Baker

Dance Advocacy Award – Yorkshire Dance

Rising Star Award – Vickie Simmonds

People’s Choice Award – Javier Torres

Lifetime Achievement Award in Dance Education – Janet Smith

Lifetime Achievement Award in Dance of the African Diaspora – Kathy Williams OLY

Lifetime Achievement Award in Contemporary Dance – Sir Robert Cohan CBE

The Jane Attenborough Award – Dr Valerie Preston-Dunlop

 

This year’s awards were supported by: Harlequin Dance Floors, Marquee TV, Arts Council England and SunVit-D3.