ResDance Series 4: Episode 11:  Reflections and considerations on the role heritage plays in the creation of contemporary dance works with Ceyda Tanc In this episode, Ceyda shares insight into her experiences in dance both as a dancer and a choreographer, creating professional contemporary dance works drawing on Turkish folk culture.  Through reflecting upon her personal and professional experiences, we explore the importance acknowledging her heritage plays in her practice and the approaches she employs when making new work. Ceyda shares insight into her research interests concerning exploring traditional gender representation in dance and the ways these are represented in her work. Through discussing her education partnerships and her own youth company, she highlights the importance of running an accessible programme of dance and her passion for others to experience the joy of dance. Ceyda is a choreographer and movement director, and Artistic Director of Ceyda Tanc Dance. She trained at University of Roehampton & The State Turkish Conservatoire for Music & Folk Dance in Izmir, Turkey. Ceyda founded her all-female company in 2012, creating a body of professional contemporary dance works drawing on Turkish folk culture, and exploring traditional gender representation in dance. Ceyda’s first full-length work, KAYA, was commissioned by Brighton Festival 2018 for performance at Theatre Royal Brighton and was met with critical acclaim to a sold-out audience. Ceyda has presented solo programmes across the UK, including: Brighton Festival, Hull Truck, The Old Market, The Showroom & The Point. In 2014, Ceyda and her company were invited to Turkey for a theatre and universities tour, then again in 2017 to train in Turkish Folk Dance and for a commissioned performance. Choreographic credits include: Map Dance, University of Roehampton, Royal Academy of Music, University of Chichester, University of Brighton, University of Roehampton, Hull Dance (City of Culture 2017), Dance Woking, The Point, MOTUS Festival, ACE Dance and Music and The Place. In 2021 Ceyda was invited by Tamara Rojo to advise on the representation of Turkish folk dance in English National Ballet’s production of ‘Raymonda’. In 2022, she was commissioned by English National Ballet to create an original work for their Emerging Dancer competition. Ceyda directs a highly successful education programme and owns multi-arts space THE STUDIO, Brighton. Her youth company are four-time U.Dance finalists and were invited by Richard Alston to perform alongside his company twice at Theatre Royal, Brighton. Ceyda runs a thriving programme of contemporary classes and workshops for all ages and abilities, has an education partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council and is Associate Lecturer at University of Chichester. Contact details: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @ceydatancdance Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CeydaTancDance Twitter: @ceydatancdance Please share this episode with students, educators, practitioners, performers, and interdisciplinary researchers curious to learn more about dance research in action.