Corinne Bailey Rae appointed new Patron at Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Corinne Bailey Rae’s appointment brings a fresh, cross-disciplinary perspective to the leading dance training institution, which has long been a beacon of creativity and artistic excellence. While Corinne’s background is rooted in music rather than dance, her deep appreciation for the arts in all forms makes her the perfect fit to support the work of NSCD.

Over the course of her career, she has released four critically acclaimed studio albums—Corinne Bailey Rae, The Sea, The Heart Speaks in Whispers and 2023’s Black Rainbows —and earned two Grammy Awards, two MOBOS, and been nominated for multiple awards including the BRIT Awards, Mercury Music Prize (twice) and BET Awards. Her work for film and television is comprehensive and she has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Mary J. Blige, Al Green, Herbie Hancock, Paul McCartney, Tyler The Creator, Paul Weller, Stevie Wonder, Tracey Thorn, Pharrell and many more.

Though Corinne is not a dancer by training, her deep appreciation for the power of artistic expression in all forms strongly aligns with NSCD’s mission. Corinne’s commitment to creativity in music, storytelling and performance perfectly aligns with NSCD’s vision of nurturing international talent.

Corinne commented: “I’m incredibly honoured to be asked to be Patron of NSCD. Leeds is my hometown and I’ve always been inspired by the city’s vibrant artistic energy. I believe deeply in the power of art to transform lives and I’m excited to be part of the wonderful community of artists here at NSCD.  Northern’s forward-thinking approach to contemporary dance education continues to set it apart. As a leading institution for contemporary dance training, the School is dedicated to shaping the future of the industry and offers a wide range of programmes to equip students with the skills, experience and connections needed to build fulfilling careers in the arts.”

CEO and Principal of NSCD Sharon Watson MBE DL commented: “Through Corinne’s Patronage, NSCD hopes to inspire young artists to explore the endless possibilities of their creative journeys. Her appointment reinforces our commitment to a range of artistic expressions and emphasises the value of cross-disciplinary learning."

About Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD):
NSCD is a leading dance institution in the UK and offers world-class training in contemporary dance. It is the only dance conservatoire in England outside of London. For nearly 40 years, we have enabled aspiring dance artists to enter and shape the industry, providing specialist conservatoire-level training for some of the most talented and committed students – nationally and internationally.

With a reputation for producing dynamic and skilled performers, choreographers and dance makers, NSCD is dedicated to nurturing artistic talent, providing students with opportunities to develop their practice, and preparing them for successful careers in the creative industries. NSCD is an inclusive and forward-thinking community that values artistic innovation, diversity, and collaboration.

Find out more about Corinne Bailey Rae here.