Interview with Brandon Lawrence | MOVE IT 2018.

MOVE IT is the UK Dance event of the year and there's nothing like it so it's a big deal. The event is coming to Excel London from 16-18 March. MOVE IT brings together 22,000 dancers over three days with the added addition of performances, classes, career advice, celebrities, interviews, and shopping too.

Photo Credit: Birmingham Royal Ballet

It's the perfect event for those people considering to take the next steps in pursuing a career in dance or just enjoy the opportunity to see some of the best dancers in the business in breathtaking Main Stage performances. MOVE IT celebrates all forms of dance and the performing arts under one roof.

I recently did my first interview with Tara Jean Popowich who an Ambassador for MOVE It this year. Today's interview is with Birmingham Royal Ballet's Brandon Lawrence about his role as Ambassador for MOVE It too.

Brandon's dance journey began at the age of 8 when he started dancing in Yorkshire. From there at the age of 14, he went to the Royal Ballet School where he graduated from in 2011. Since 2011 he has been at Birmingham Royal Ballet and now holds a Soloist Dancer Position. "My time in the Company has been nothing short of eventful. I’ve been fortunate to have danced in many of the famous classical ballets we hold in British Ballet. I’ve travelled to the US, Spain, Germany and Japan with the Company and just recently danced at Buckingham Palace for HRH Prince Charles". 

Since joining the Birmingham Royal Ballet Brandon has been in a huge variety of productions but is their one which stands out above the rest? 

"I have very much enjoyed dancing a lot of the classics especially when I get to share it with some stunning onstage partners but I’ve also been very lucky to have had works created on me by Jessica Lang, Ruth Brill, David Bintley and Alexander Whitley which have been highly rewarding. No favourite productions just cherished moments". 

Photo Credit: Birmingham Royal Ballet

Even though Brandon's style is very much specific to Ballet, he mentions that he enjoys exploring others too. "I do enjoy the neo-classical and contemporary styles, they allow me to apply my ballet technique and strength but at the same time show a more relaxed and earthy quality". 

Male Ballet Dancers' are bodies of strength and grace. There are more and more male dancers out there, but you'll probably recognise them more in the street dance styles. Brandon explains the biggest challenge for him as a Male Ballet dancer is "knowing that people may have the preconception that ballet is for girls. This couldn't be further from the truth". 

Brandon Lawrence knows about MOVE IT, having recently performed at the event last year. This year he's taking on the role as Ambassador, "If it gives me a platform to fly the flag for dance and in particular 'Ballet' then I shall be onboard". 

What does Brandon hope to achieve whilst in the role of MOVE IT Ambassador?

"I hope to be able to draw more dancers whatever age to strive for what they dream. I also want to urge people from different backgrounds and ethnicities to prove that Dance is for anyone", 

If you haven't heard of the MOVE IT event, what can you expect from it? "Attend to learn and network, see versatile and interesting work and to simply be wow'ed and inspired by the great world of Dance the UK has to offer".

You can find out more about where you can see Brandon Lawrence at MOVE IT this March as well as more about the event by heading over to the MOVE IT website.

If you are interested in attending the event at Excel London between 16-18 March you can get yourself 5% off Adult and Child tickets when entering 'Emmie' at the checkout.