Yama Dance Company announces new Artistic Director Eleanor Duval

Yama over 60s Dance Company is pleased to announce that Eleanor Duval is joining the company as the new Artistic Director from September 2023.

Eleanor said: ‘I am so excited to be taking on the role of Yama’s Artistic Director. I look forward to working closely with such an incredible group of people in a creative, nurturing environment in which all can thrive, on and off the stage, and to implement the artistic vision of the company.’

Eleanor grew up in the UK and France and trained at The Hamburg Opera in Germany and The Rambert school in London. She has danced professionally since 1998. She joined The Mark Bruce Company in 2006 with whom she continues to dance. She has also danced with Dansconnect for two years, as well as dancing in various productions at Glyndebourne Opera and The Royal Albert Hall.

Eleanor received a nomination for the National Dance Award’s Outstanding Female Modern Performer 2018 for her role as Lady Macbeth.

Eleanor has taught extensively in the South West including Tri Art, Swindon CAT scheme and Bath Dance College. She heads up the education programme at the Mark Bruce Company, developing the residential Summer School for vocational students.

Yama Dance Company is based in Bath. Members are all aged 60 or over. In addition to Eleanor’s choreography and direction, Yama regularly invites guest artists to create live performance and film works. This year, Yama has performed at WOMAD Festival in Wiltshire, Bath Fringe Festival and Collect Festival in Dorset.

Yama also hosts a weekly dance class in Widcombe, Bath. The class is open to anyone aged 40 or over regardless of dance experience. The class runs on Thursdays in term time, and is currently inviting new members to join this September.

To find out more about Yama Dance Company or the over 40s dance class, visit the website: www.yamadance.org.uk or email info@yamadance.org.uk.