Retrospectif
I was delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Retrospectif dance group on The Global Water Dance Project in 2025. This project marked a beautiful beginning for us as a new group, and a reminder of what’s possible when creativity and community come together with heart and purpose.
Retrospectif was founded by Maureen Riley who was deeply inspired after attending a Creative Arts, Well-being, and Ageing event at the University of Winchester. It was there that she witnessed firsthand the incredible impact dance could have on the lives of older adults. That powerful moment planted a seed, and in ,2014, Retrospectif was born: a joyful and welcoming dance group for people aged 55 and over.
My connection with the group began in 2016, when I was looking for new opportunities to reconnect with dance. My English was improving, and I felt ready to return to creative work, especially the kind of community-based practice I had been involved in back in Barcelona, particularly with older adults.
From the moment I joined one of Retrospectif’s classes, I was moved by the beautiful work being done, led then by the wonderful KJ Mortimer. The group’s energy, warmth, and openness left a lasting impression on me. I remember thinking, “One day, I’d love to lead something like this,” drawing on my background as a choreographer and my belief in movement as a source of health and well-being.
So when I received an email from The Point years later, asking if I’d be interested in taking on the lead role with Retrospectif, I didn’t hesitate. It felt like the right next step, a chance to guide a group that not only explores movement but creates meaningful performances together. Since stepping into the role in 2024, the experience has been incredibly joyful, rich, and rewarding.
Our First Performance Together: Global Water Dances
Our first project as a group was part of Global Water Dances, an international initiative that uses dance to raise awareness of water issues and inspire care for the environment. It offered the perfect opportunity to combine creative exploration with a deeper sense of purpose.
From the beginning, I wanted the process to be collaborative. We created space for everyone’s voices, ideas, and experiences to shape the work. Together, we explored the theme of water through movement, conversation, and research, learning about its beauty, its symbolism, and its vulnerability as a vital resource, especially in our own community in Southampton.
Global Water Dances offered incredible support and inspiration, connecting us to artists, activists, and educators around the world. Through this experience, we were reminded how local actions can ripple outward, and how dance can be a powerful way to connect people, raise awareness, and create positive change.
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Retrospectif was born from a deeply moving experience I had at a Creative Arts, Well-being, and Ageing event at the University of Winchester. There, I witnessed the transformative power of dance among older adults. Watching untrained dancers express raw vulnerability and deep emotion through movement moved me to tears, and sparked the desire to create a similar space where seniors could explore dance in a meaningful way.
After sharing the idea with friends, I approached the team at The Point. They kindly offered studio space and a dance teacher, but the responsibility of finding committed participants rested with me. I began reaching out to individuals from all walks of life, including those with no previous dance experience, and eventually, our first session took shape.
What started as a small initiative soon blossomed into a warm, inclusive community. Our focus extended beyond movement and technique to embrace creative expression and performance. As the group grew, we lengthened our sessions and began collaborating with visiting artists, fostering an environment where dancers of all abilities could thrive, connect, and be seen.
In 2024, we proudly celebrated 10 years of dancing together. Over the past decade, the group has participated in numerous creative projects, performing at a wide range of venues and collaborating with choreographers, younger dancers, and interdisciplinary artists. These experiences have deepened our artistic practice and nurtured meaningful, intergenerational relationships.
Today, Retrospectif stands as a testament to the power of dance to enhance well-being, cultivate community, and unlock creativity, regardless of age or experience.