One evening in the beginning of November I recieved a life changing email. It was an offer to join renown Swedish dance company Norrdans as an apprentice in their 2017/2018 season. Instantly, I was buzzing with excitement, joy, and gratitude. At the time I was nearing the end of my three years as a Contemporary Major at the New Zealand School of Dance and this opportunity was exactly what I needed to bridge the gap between being a student and professional, whilst propelling me into the global scene of contemporary dance. It was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. Immediately, I forwarded the email to my mum, of course, and the next day I had my reply ready, accepting the position. 

Founded in 1995, Norrdans is situated in Harnosand, Sweden and since its creation has presented works by Ohad Naharin, Mats Ek, and numerous other choregraphers from around Sweden and the world. Norrdans has been a pillar in Swedish dance companies since its inception with an aim to offer a great variety of experiences and to continually explore and develop the encounter between contemporary dance and their audiences, 

As an apprentice, I will be working alongside the main company from August 2017 until June 2018. I will be participating in warm up class, understudying roles, creating with the company, and performing around Sweden. This will expand my skills and my network more than I can imagine, and introduce me to new ways of thinking, dancing, and being. Furthermore, it's a chance to wave the Australian and New Zealand flags, promoting the dance scene down here and strengthen our relationship with Sweden. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity that will catapult me into my career as a contemporary dancer. 

Included in the apprenticeship is return flights from Australia to Sweden and accommodation in Harnosand for the ten months I will be there, all generously covered by Norrdans. So what do I need you guys for? Well, the apprenticeship is mostly unpaid. I only recieve payments twice in 2018 from performances. So in order to live off of a little bit more than Two Minute Noodles for ten months, I need your help! Currently, I am working and saving every penny I can along with researching and applying for grants to help me out as well, but in order to be able to live in Sweden and undertake this incredible opportunity, I think I might need a little bit of extra help. 

Your contribution will go towards living costs such as food for this growing dancer, travel around Harnosand and Sweden, and most likely a thick jacket or two for those freezing winter months up north. Any amount you can donate will be tremendously appreciated, even if it is $2 I will probably cry and want to give you a huge hug for believing in me. If you can help me in any way, I would be endlessly gratiful for helping make this opportunity become a reality!

Thank you so much for reading, and thank you so much for donating! If you could share this with your friends I would be so full love and apprecitation. Thank you, thank you, thank you! And I'll send you a postcard from Harnosand!

If you are interested in following my journey as I live in Sweden, you can send me an email on [email protected] for regular updates.

- Samuel Hall

As flights and accomodation are paid for by Norrdans, the funds will be used to cover living costs. 

These include food, transport, bills, and clothes (especially for those extra cold winters). 

Currently, I am working and saving as much money as I can before I leave. As well as applying for grants to help cover living costs, too. These will cover the bulk of the costs for the ten months, however I need a little bit of extra help. 

I have written out a budget for the length of the apprenticeship and this can be given to you if requested. 

Living over the other side of the world in a foreign country will probably be one of the biggest challenges of this expedition! And while most of Sweden speaks English, I might blunder my way through speaking Swedish while I'm there which might also be a little difficult (but probably humorous for others.)
And of course, not being paid a salary will be quite a challenge, my budgeting skill will most definitely get a workout trying to keep my body fit! That's why I need you're help!