CAT Alumni Nya Bardouille Talks to The Place
News Story
For this month's Alumni Story, we spoke to Nya Bardouille, a CAT alumni who graduated in 2017, about her experience as a CAT student at The Place, and life after CAT. Nya is now part of the CAT physical therapy team at The Place.
The Place: Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you have been upto these past few years?
Nya: My name is Nya Bardouille and I love movement. I have recently graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in Sports Science and Physiology. I’m currently exploring the different ways I can use movement practices to help people build a deep, and neutral, relationship with their bodies. Aside from dancing, my favourite ways to move are practicing yoga and Olympic weightlifting.
The Place: When did you do the CAT programme at The Place?
Nya: I started on CAT in 2014 and graduated in 2017 into a gap year after completing my A Levels.
The Place: What was your highlight of the CAT programme?
Nya: In my final year, our creative set choreographed a group finale piece for the CAT Summer Intensive Show to ‘Kiss’ by Prince. It was such a beautiful, joyous, and collaborative way to culminate our experience on CAT together. Every time I hear that song, I am flooded with such great and full memories.
The Place: How did it help you in your career in dance?
Nya: I was surrounded by people who had such vast experiences and invested interests within the dance industry. It was the first time I realised how broad and encompassing dance is. Being taught by teachers who were working or were researching in the science sector of dance propelled me into being a healthcare practitioner in dance. Not only did the programme facilitate my knowledge, but I was also given practical experiences which supported my university applications.
The Place: What made you go into physical therapy?
Nya: I love supporting a dancer’s understanding and agency of their body. It’s really rewarding to see people develop their athleticism and connection to their body. It’s also a profession that requires constant learning and refreshing of perspectives. These two aspects together mean I’m continually exploring the science in the field, plus somatic practices – it keeps me on my toes!
The Place: Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Nya: I would love to be travelling the world teaching holistic self-massage, anatomy and movement workshops for anyone, organisations or institutions that want to explore integrated science education.
Follow Nya and learn more about her work @bodylanguagepractice
