InSPIRAtions Dance Company - the story 

When Dance for All was established two decades ago, Philip Boyd and his patner Phyllis Spira had a dream that one day they would be able to start a professional indigenous dance company under the umbrella of Dance for All. They hoped that the young dancers who attended DFA classes would aspire to becoming members of the professional company, that it would encourage talented dancers to pursue a career in dance and, importantly, that it would provide them with the opportunity to be employed, doing something they love. So it was with great hope and anticipation that the DFA Youth Company (DFAYC) was started in 2005.

Now, with the formation in February 2009 of a vibrant new company that reflects the diversity that was part of their original vision, the various aspects of that dream have come together. Given this background, it is appropriate that the title of their launch performance is Pieces of a Dream. And it is even more appropriate that the name chosen for DFA’s new professional company is InSPIRAtions Dance Company.

Named in honour of the legendary Phyllis Spira (OMSG), who passed away unexpectedly in March 2008, the company is a reflection of what she lived and worked for. As Prima ballerina assoluta of CAPAB ballet, she inspired generations of young dancers locally and abroad; when she retired from professional ballet and joined Philip at Dance for All, she inspired countless children from disadvantaged backgrounds not only to enjoy dance, but to believe in themselves; and, in her capacity as a teacher and Assistant Artistic Director of DFAYC, she inspired the dancers to strive for excellence while pursuing their passion as a career.

Building on this legacy, InSPIRAtions Dance Company is set to inspire young dancers through performances of its exciting neo-classical/afro-fusion repertoire that includes some of the dancers’ own choreographic works, as well as contributions by local and international choreographers. As the nine members of the company come from diverse dance and demographic backgrounds, they will act as role models for young people from all communities, especially those that form part of DFA’s outreach programme. And finally, for the dancers, being employed full time as members of InSPIRAtions Dance Company gives them the opportunity to dedicate their time to developing and perfecting their repertoire and their art.

Background

In February 2005, DFA formed its own youth dance company, creating employment for six of the previous year’s Senior Training Programme (now known as the Senior Ballet Programme) graduates. It was a first step towards fulfilling the dream Philip and Phyllis shared – of a professional company that would nurture, celebrate and highlight the natural musicality, energy and home-grown style of South Africa’s young dancers. They modeled DFAYC on the Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey Company in the USA, both of which started as small schools offering dance training to underprivileged children.

DFAYC was officially launched in November 2005 at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town, with Philip Boyd as the Artistic Director and the late Phyllis Spira as Assistant Artistic Director.

During the following two years, DFAYC presented a number of performances and established partnerships with local dance organisations such as Cape Town City Ballet, Jazzart, La Rosa Spanish Dance Theatre and Free Flight Dance Company. DFAYC also performed with professional artists such as Jimmie Earl Perry, Buskaid and Verity.

However, only a few months later, a proposal submitted to the Department of Arts and Culture was successful and an injection of funds in October 2008 made it possible for DFA to revive the company. This time, instead of drawing only from graduates of DFA’s Senior Training Programme, it was decided to throw the floor wide open and to create a company comprising experienced professional dancers.