Richard Alston Dance Company

The Richard Alston Dance Company is led by Richard Alston, the Artistic Director of The Place. Mr. Alston is recognized as one of the most influential and inspiring choreographers in dance, and is known for his close relationships with his music.

Richard discovered his love for music while studying at Eton. In the gramophone library, he would listen to Billie Holiday and Bach. He studied at Croydon College of Art before becoming one of the first students at the London Contemporary Dance School. It was at this time he began to choreograph.

In 1975, Richard left to study at the Merce Cunningham Dance Studio in New York. When he returned to the UK, he worked as an independent teacher and choreographer.

Over the next few decades, Richard built up his career and reputation. In 1994, he formed the Richard Alston Dance Company, which was launched at The Place.

The dance company has an impressive repertoire, which includes Chacony, An Italian in Madrid, Gypsy Mixture, Burning, Brisk Singing, Stronghold, Holderlin Fragments, Carnaval, Illuminations, Madcap, Overdrive, Mazur, Rejoice in the Lamb, Tangent, Stronghold, Nomadic and Unfinished Business.

The company’s dancers include:

• Nicholas Bodych. Born in Cheshire, Nicholas trained at Rambert School and the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. He has worked with several dance companies since graduating in 2011, and joined the Richard Alston Dance Company in 2013.
• Ihsaan de Banya. Born in London, Ihsaan trained at the Center for Advance Training and Shift, and the London Contemporary Dance School. He joined the company in 2013 and became a full member one year later. He is the creator of Rasengan.
• Liam Riddick. Liam trained at the Cross Keys College in Newport under Sue Lewis. He joined the London Contemporary Dance School in 2007 and joined the Richard Alston Dance Company in 2010.
• Elly Braund. Elly trained at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. She performed at the Royal Festival Hall in 2011 as part of the 60th anniversary celebration of the 1951 Festival of Britain. That same year, she became an apprentice for the Richard Alston Dance Company.
• Monique Jonas. Monique trained at London’s Arts Educational Schools and the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. She joined the company in 2016 as an apprentice.
• Jennifer Hayes. Ms. Hayes became an apprentice for the company in 2013 and is now a full member.
• James Muller. James began his dance training at the Linda Shipton School of Dance before moving on to the Royal Ballet School and the Central School of Ballet. He joined the company in 2013, and danced in the Phaedra at the Barbican production.
• Ania Jurek. Ani joined the company in 2017 as an apprentice.