Bringing Dance to Team Lincolnshire! Welcome Chantry Dance!

For many arts and culture has provided a window of escapism during the arduous months of lockdown. However we have missed ‘live’ performances and for those working in the industry it has been incredibly tough.

So here at Team Lincs HQ we were delighted when fellow ambassador Emma Olivier Townrow introduced us to Paul Chantry and Rae Piper founders of Chantry Dance, and encouraged them to join our ambassador programme.

 

Chantry Dance is a Theatrical Contemporary Ballet founded in May 2012 with a debut performance at Sadler’s Wells in Li Binquan’s Chinese Calligraphy, Music and Dance Concert – a unique performance which saw the fledging Chantry company not only dance on the main stage of one of Europe’s biggest dance houses, but also have their performance broadcast to the whole of China.

Now, in 2021 the company is known for producing touring narrative contemporary ballets which are either original stories or innovative re-imaginings of well-known tales. They work with highly experienced artists, many of whom are international performers and have worked with some of the most prestigious companies in the world such as San Francisco Ballet, The Royal Opera House and Northern Ballet.

Chantry Dance is headed by co-Artistic Directors Rae Piper and Paul Chantry - a vibrant and skilled choreographic duo whose work includes West End productions of the Olivier-nominated David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny, and Billionaire Boy, several of the Horrible Histories stage shows, a special anniversary commission for the Prince of Belgium, Contemporary, Ballet, Opera, Musicals and more.

Prior to knowing each other, Piper and Chantry’s performance careers spanned everything; from appearing in musicals in London’s West End, Opera, contemporary dance work at Sadler’s Wells, production shows on cruise ships, cabaret and circus work in the UK’s most notable cabaret clubs such as Café de Paris, music videos, corporate work and touring classical ballet companies.

The couple met while Piper was performing in a musical in the West End and Chantry was dancing at Sadler’s Wells. They discovered an instant connection, and after less than a year of working together were asked to create their first work at Sadler’s Wells. This also coincided with tying the knot and becoming husband and wife.

With 40 years combined industry experience, Piper and Chantry bring with them a wealth of knowledge and skill, and a boundless love and passion for their art and industry. Chantry Dance is involved in outreach and participation work, particularly with a focus on bringing dance performance and participation opportunities to those who have restricted access to the arts. The company is also highly invested in and education and talent development with its official school (Chantry School) offering pre-vocational and vocational level training to aspiring student dancers.

Since the pandemic took hold of the UK in 2020, Chantry Dance has adapted and expanded to embrace outdoor performance work and digital work. They are currently engaged in producing their first full outdoor ballet, and have recently been producing dance films and an array of content on various digital media platforms. There is the great hope that theatres will re-open this year, and that their tour of The Little Mermaid, postponed from autumn last year, will tour the UK this September and October.

We are delighted to welcome Chantry Dance to Team Lincolnshire and look forward to working with them to champion arts and culture across our region.