urdang schools
London
Our founder, Leonie Urdang moved to London from South Africa to escape the
social effects that Apartheid had on people of all classes and ethnicities. When
Leonie started the Urdang Academy in 1970 her vision was to break barriers that
segregated the dance world, which at that time only accepted a particular type
of person with a certain look. She looked beyond the surface and saw the
individual, laying this as the founding ethos of her school. The only thing that
has changed since then is that the theatre world has caught up with that vision.
Increasingly shows are about characters and personalities – dancers that can
sing or singer-actors that can dance – and the performers in demand are those
whose personality (combined with talent) shine out. With Solange Urdang taking
over from her mother in 2001, Urdang stayed true to its founding vision,
constantly seeking opportunities to revitalise and cement diversity and
inclusivity in new and exciting ways.
