YDF25 Artist 07 Q&A: Madison and Becky

What’s your background?

Becky – From a young age I have always been involved in the performing arts industry. From the age of 6 I was a member of PADOS, a local amateur operatics society and as a young teen I joined SHADES, a second local amateur operatics society, performing in many annual Christmas pantomimes. I have danced since I was 6 training in contemporary, modern and commercial and took GCSE performing arts, A-LEVEL dance and dance at degree level.

Madi – I joined dance schools from the age of 10, being taught the foundations in various styles of dance. I have always had a passion for teaching, from assisting at my dance school to then having my own pop-up classes. I studied dance drama and film at both GCSE and A-level, now studying dance at university.

Who are your biggest influences? Artistically? Who inspired you to become an artist?

Becky – One of my biggest influences who has inspired me artistically and still continues to inspire me is my dance teacher from college. She always believed in my potential and pushed me to do my best. She is one of my biggest supporters and I am proud to say I am now a member of her newly found performing arts company ‘IPAN performing arts north’.

Madi – My biggest influences, who inspired me to work hard to become an artist was my grandad. He was the main reason I wanted to help others and teach, creating work for people’s enjoyment.

How have you developed your career? (From student to artist)

Becky – As an emerging artist and at the start of my career, I am focusing on networking within both the local and wider community. I am building many transferable skills that will enable me to continue to grow and succeed as a young professional. I am currently trying to take part in as many developmental opportunities that come my way and I have found workshops and intensives to be very beneficial to my artistic development.

Madi – My career has developed through my social media marketing, allowing my online portfolio to be seen through my Instagram. This will allow me to network with other artists, companies and casting agencies. I have branched out to multiple avenues within the dance and performing arts industry, reaching into film and videography.

What does your work as an artist aim to say?

Becky – As an artist, I like my work to be expressive and a representation of who I am. I want my work to be inspirational in some way to the audience. I want artists like me to be proud of their skills and abilities. I have not always found academic education easy, so dance in a way has grounded me and helped me feel fulfilled and build my confidence. It has helped me realise that success is not defined by academic education alone.

What work do you most enjoy doing?

Becky – I thoroughly enjoy the creative process side. From the very first concepts and ideas to the final outcome, I love being able to perform something that I feel passionate about and that I have been able to have a creative say in. I feel that this is when I am at my most productive and comfortable. Also being able to connect and share these experiences with other artists feels so special and memorable.

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?

Becky – I remember my first public professional dance performance when I was 14, which was at Wembley Stadium in London. We opened for the Harlequins Rugby team match, dancing to live music by musician Tokio Myers who was the winner of Britain’s Got Talent in 2017. The sheer scale of the stadium alone was amazingly overwhelming, and I remember the feeling of stepping out onto the pitch and taking in the crowd and my surroundings for the first time. It was one of the most amazing and inspirational experiences.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

Madi – I love film making and videography, as well as social and digital marketing which helps push myself in this industry.

What role does arts funding have to your practice? Could you and would you still be an artist if you weren’t paid to explore your art?

Madi – I will always create, explore and play with my artform no matter the money, the funding is amazing but when it comes down to it, if I’m doing what i am passionate about that’s the main thing. Funding just enables me to branch out to add to my art, like locations, types of cameras and costumes etc.

What advice would you give to a young artist beginning their journey to becoming an artist?

Madi – Different is good in the artistic world. Experiment with everything and anything.

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