Joss Arnott Dance Presents
Emergence 2025
Thursday
1 May 2025
Emergence, the touring postgraduate dance company of Joss Arnott Dance and the University of Salford, return with a brand-new, triple bill programme of adrenaline-fuelled dance performed by a new company of extraordinary dancers.
New works by guest choreographers for 2025 include Sofia Nappi and SAY (Sarah Golding and Yukiko Masui) who capture the raw physicality of the dancers.
Artistic Director Joss Arnott and Lisa Marie Robinson complete the bill with a new work featuring Arnott’s signature, exhilarating movement language. Be prepared to witness an exquisite interplay between movement and music all of which is accompanied by electrifying new music by composer James Keane.
Italian choreographer Sofia Nappi presents “CHIMERA”. Sofia's latest dance work draws inspiration from the diverse backgrounds and personalities within the Emergence cast. She described the group as "young people eager to absorb knowledge and open to growth." The concept of Chimera emerged from the mythological creature composed of distinct parts: a goat, a snake, and a lion; melting together to form a unique being. Similarly, the choreography weaves together the individuality of the cast members to create not just a creature, but a cohesive community. It celebrates unity, collaboration, and the power of diversity in forming something greater than the sum of its parts.
Photo: Frogmilk Studio
SAY (Sarah Golding and Yukiko Masui) present “153 8s” a new dance work inspired by the concept of a music album, using four distinct tracks. Each track brings its own qualities, resulting in a piece that is both explosive and electrifying. With carefully selected music from artists the choreographers have a strong connection with the piece showcases the individual talents of each dancer, highlighting their unique strengths and styles, but also fosters a powerful sense of unity. The performers feed off each other's energy, creating a vibrant group dynamic that elevates the entire piece. It's an exhilarating celebration of music, movement, and collaboration, leaving a lasting impression with its intensity and vitality.
Artistic Director Joss Arnott and assistant choreographer Lisa Marie Robinson complete the 2025 programme with a new work featuring Arnott’s signature, exhilarating movement language. The piece explores the complexities of our ego, demonstrating a journey that leads to euphoria, allowing the dancers to lose their inhibitions and become the best versions of themselves. Be prepared to witness an exquisite interplay between movement and music all of which is accompanied by electrifying new music by composer James Keane.
About Emergence
Emergence is embedded within an industry led MA Dance: Performance and Professional Practices programme that is a professionally focused course (12-months), co-designed and delivered between Joss Arnott Dance and the University of Salford.
The bespoke programme not only focuses on contemporary dance performance at the highest level, but also addresses the wider needs of the dance professional including modules on producing, teaching and workshop design/delivery – allowing dancers to develop their skills, knowledge and experience to expand their professional opportunities upon graduation.
Dancers become part of Emergence postgraduate dance company, who work with internationally acclaimed choreographers to produce a programme of new performance work each year. Emergence tour nationally under the Artistic Direction of Joss Arnott with Programme Leader, Debbie Milner.
The dancers also develop their skills by undertaking Company Roles throughout the year, working within the fields of marketing, social media design, company administration, education, production and rehearsal directing.
This bespoke programme has industry collaboration at its very heart and mirrors working environments in the creative industries whilst providing dancers with the skills and resources they need to be able to succeed as dance artists and adjusting to the ever-evolving climate.
Emergence aims to consistently be seen as one of the leading postgraduate dance companies in the UK, producing performance work that is of the highest quality and accessible to audiences.
We inspire and empower the next generation of dancers and makers by nurturing and providing them with the experience, knowledge and resources they need to develop thriving, sustainable portfolio careers in the arts sector.