Jye Uren - tracking towards a career in dance

The first style of dance I trained in was contemporary – contemporary with strong balletic influences – that’s just how my teacher was trained. I was 16 years of age and I was in grade eleven.

When I think back, what made me want to start training in contemporary dance was tumbling. I had done gymnastics for a few years, from the age of around ten to thirteen. My friend and I decided to take dance as an elective for grade eleven – we took it on as a bit of a joke! My friend didn’t last, but by the time I was in grade twelve I had become really serious about dance and I realised I could use my gymnastics background to help me with contemporary movements. Looking back, when I think about it, dance actually helped me through high school.

On finishing high school, I auditioned for NAISDA Dance College (the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association) and was accepted into the Certificate Two, Careers in Dance course in 2014.

When I joined NAISDA, I understood the physicality of contemporary dance, but I’d never experienced any traditional dance. I wish I’d had the opportunity to do traditional dance as an extracurricular activity when I was at school; it would have been so great to learn dances from my Country, while on my homeland – Worimi Country (Port Stephens area, NSW). The very first time I did traditional dance, I was really nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. It was traditional Yolngu dancing and I felt like I had to get it right. I’d never done traditional dance before and holding something so sacred and precious, and something that wasn’t mine, made me nervous. After a few years of experience, I love doing and performing traditional dance … but I still feel a professional urge mixed with a cultural sense to get it right … and this gives me anxiety! I don’t want to portray it wrongly and upset my Elders! But I still love doing it … over time I’ve learnt that I’m able to put some of my own style into it!

I think NAISDA gave me a great grounding for my dance career. If I’d never gone there, I’d not have learnt about communities, law, culture and the different ways people live their lives.I come from a place that was colonised early on, so my family knowledge has mostly been lost. At NAISDA, I learnt about other Aboriginal cultures and about Torres Strait Islander people; I went to Moa (Torres Strait Islands) and learnt some of the cultural practices there. The course also trained me up as a dance maker and teacher; I learnt different ways to make up classes, different dance techniques and creative methods.

After completing my studies, I spent a year as an Independent Dance Artist. I enjoyed this year, making connections, taking responsibility for my fitness, keeping engaged and motivated. Whilst at NAISDA, I was fortunate to meet Jack Grey – internationally-renowned Choreographer, Dancer and Atamira Dance Company’s Founding Member and Artistic Director (since 2018). This link generated more connections both here in Australia and in New Zealand. I was able to compare the subtle differences between life as an Independent here and abroad. I feel that Atamira Dance Company invests lots of time working closely – collectively – to create a united group energy and this supports the composition and helps the flow of the work. I liked that.

Interview with Jye Uren facilitated by Claudia Moore

Transcription by Alyssa Beaudoin

Article by Yolande Brown