A new, fresh and vibrant contemporary dance company has emerged in Sydney.

With a taste-tester launch of daring new works, Pulse8 Manly Dance Theatre exploded on the Sydney Dance Scene at Star of the Sea Theatre, Stella Maris College, Manly, on Thursday
May 10th. And if their launch performance is anything to go by, Pulse 8 is sure to be a successful and ground breaking dance company.

Bringing a dynamic season of new Australian dance works to North Sydney, Pulse8 is a gutsy new independent company, committed to providing a space for Sydney's emerging dance talent and delivering sophisticated performances throughout the year. The company members hail from all over Sydney, and, aged from 16 to 25 years, they comprise the city's next dance elite.

'We need to get dance into the eyes, ears, minds and hearts of the broader community and of course our politicians. We need to remind them that this, sometimes silent art form, still yells loudly about the invisible threads that connect us and make us human. Dance is everywhere, in the shake of a hand, the turn of a head, the bend of a knee and the jump for joy. It is to be shared, nurtured and celebrated' says Artistic Director Kay Armstrong.

Pulse 8's, inaugural season Flaunt will run from June 21st to 23rd at Star of the Sea Theatre, Stella Maris College, Manly. Featuring the company's 18 young dance artists, showcasing a triple bill of works by three of Sydney's leading independent choreographers, Flaunt promises to thrill, challenge and excite the senses.

Award-winning independent choreographer and filmmaker Anton will premiere a new work for Pulse8 called Experiment 115-3. Big on the WOW factor Anton will be delivering his amazing high-velocity choreography, pushing the dancers to their physical limits in a play with rhythm and emotions. Anton brings to this piece the history of his many

years as a professional dancer with leading companies such as ADT and Dancenorth.

After 4 years in New York, ATSIC grant recipient Vicki van Hout has returned to home soil, and is breaking new ground with her quirky and humorous fusion of indigenous dance and contemporary movement. A new significant voice in the dance scene, Vicki offers an original work, Dog Dance, for Pulse8's Flaunt season. Dog Dance is influenced by the premise of shape shifting as it occurs in traditional indigenous cultures in Australia. Vicki has previously worked with prominent indigenous companies AIDT and Bangarra Dance Theatre, touring extensively throughout Asia.

Pulse8 is dedicated to carving out a space for emerging dancers and dance makers such as up-and-coming choreographer Gabby Rose. Pulse8's first season will debut this talented young choreographer's work. Gabby is a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts (Dance) Education student at UNSW. Her work, Recoil, first premiered in the graduating UNSW performance last year. This next investigation of her work promises great intricacy, mystery and beauty, and Pulse8 is excited to bring this fresh talent to Sydney's stage.

Artistic Director, Kay Armstrong, says of her vision for Pulse8 'Pulse8 embraces excellence thru participation and performance. I encourage company members to be proactive in their dance careers. In an economic climate that says NO at every turn, I encourage them to answer with a resounding YES, by persistence and becoming intrinsically involved in their dance community as performers, dance makers, dance educators, dance advocates and most importantly dance audience members. I promised a journey that was full of diverse performance opportunities, connections to leading voices in Australian choreography, insights into the creation and subsequent performance of works and a place for them to showcase their own work. I intend to deliver these promises.'

Being such a prolific and celebrated member of the independent dance sector, Kay is sure to deliver for her dancers, taking her vast knowledge of the current dance scene into the role of artistic director.

Since arriving in Sydney 15 years ago, Kay has become a well established dancer and choreographer and her works have been staged across Australia and internationally.

Winner of the prestigious Robert Helpmann Dance Scholarship, Kay brings theatrical verve from her work with the Bell Shakespeare Co, films such as Lantana and GeneX and the television stalwart Home and Away, as well as the dance and theatre education groups Theatre South, Darc Swan and Halex Vargus.

And Kay has big plans for the company. 'I have many dreams for Pulse8 - all of them big! I dream of taking Pulse8 on a regional tour establishing relationships with other youth companies, institutions and communities forming networks that could remain in place for other small companies and collectives to utilise. And if we have our suitcases packed then why not just keep going? Why not interstate? Why not overseas?' stated Kay at the company's launch.

With such passion, determination and not to mention talent, Pulse 8 is sure to make your heart skip a beat. Make sure you don't miss the company's debut season, Flaunt!

To BookTickets to Flaunt, June 21st - 23rd, Contact the Booking Line on 0403 046 992 or email Mitchell_smith@stellamaris.com.au.

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