2026 | iCreate Intensive in Preston – Inclusive Dance Research and Development

Dai Matsuoka, director of LAND FES, co-created a dance piece in the UK with members of DanceSyndrome.

■ Feature 1: Creating together across countries

Dai Matsuoka visited Preston in the UK as a choreographer.
He worked with DanceSyndrome members to create a dance piece.
When people from different cultures and dance styles come together, new expressions are created.
They share the same goal.
They want to create artistic inclusive dance work.

Dancers sit in a circle on the floor, listening closely to the choreographer, who speaks while holding a notebook.

■ Feature 2: Facing a challenge

This time, the work was created in five days.
For DanceSyndrome, it was their first time inviting a choreographer from a different country.
Four dance artists supported nine dancers with disabilities.
Each person took on a new challenge to create the piece together.

DanceSyndrome dancers in black kneel and raise their arms overhead as they dance.

■ Feature 3: Learning a professional approach

The dancers worked with strong focus to create the piece.
They learned how to work with others.
They also learned to take responsibility.
They did not only follow instructions.
They also thought for themselves.

This gave each person a chance to grow.

DanceSyndrome dancers warming up together.

■ Feature 4: Continuing the work

The piece will keep developing through rehearsals.
The choreographer will stay involved online from Japan.
In November 2026, the work will be performed at The Lowry in Salford.

In a spacious, bright studio, dancers rehearse and check the unison choreography of the piece.

■ Important point 1: Know each dancer

Each dancer is different.
They move in different ways.
They understand in different ways.
They have different levels of energy.
They also communicate in different ways.

For chorepgraphers, it is especially important to understand each dancer.
It is also important to think about how to work with them.

Before the project, the choreographer received an Access Rider.

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Dancers in black training wear focus on learning the choreography, following the woman in front.

■ Important point 2: Managing time

In this work, the dancers were divided into groups for each scene.
Planning the groups in advance helps manage time.

It is important to balance time for the whole group
and for each smaller group.

Two dancers in black shirts and trousers rehearse a duet on the floor, moving closely together with their bodies in contact.

■ Important point 3: Support from Dance Artists

Support from dance artists is essential during rehearsals.
They support the creative process.
They also help guide each group.

It is important to plan the right number of supporters
for dancers with disabilities in advance.

In a bright room, dancers in black stand in a circle and discuss ideas for choreography.

■ Important point 4: Continuing the work

Inclusive dance takes time to develop well.
It is important not to stop after one time.
It should continue.
Building relationships and trust is important.
Understanding each other helps the work grow deeper.
Time is also needed to learn and remember the choreography.

Three dancers stand in a line, each placing their hands on the shoulders of the person next to them, with a woman with long blonde hair at the center.

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