The Crescent Honours Dance Pioneer Helen Lewis
The Crescent Arts Centre will host a special event on Saturday 24 January to honour dancer, choreographer and teacher, Helen Lewis ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day on Tuesday 27 January. The event will also spotlight The Crescent’s new Helen Lewis Bursaries, small flexible grants designed to support and develop dance talent in Northern Ireland.
Sophie Hayles, CEO of The Crescent, with dancers Sarah Flavelle and Philip Johnston inside the Helen Lewis Dance Studio at The Crescent Arts Centre. Image credit: Charles McQuillan
Helen Lewis (1916–2009) was a Czech-born dancer, choreographer, and Holocaust survivor who became a central figure in the development of modern dance in Northern Ireland. She founded the Belfast Modern Dance Group in 1962 and later became choreographer-in-residence at The Lyric Theatre. Many of her students went on to develop professional dance careers across Ireland and internationally. A dance studio at The Crescent Arts Centre bears her name, and a blue plaque on the building commemorates her enduring legacy.
In further recognition of her contribution to dance, The Crescent Arts Centre will administer the Helen Lewis Bursaries, designed to support and develop dance talent in Northern Ireland. These small, flexible grants are open to applicants aged over 18 who were born in or are resident in Northern Ireland. Awards of up to £500 aim to help individuals in the dance sector expand their skills, knowledge and professional experience.
In October 2025, The Crescent piloted the programme to test its application and administration processes. Ten bursaries were awarded, supporting recipients’ development, performance attendance, and portfolio costs. The celebration event on 24 January is intended to increase awareness and inspire donations, with The Crescent setting a goal of raising £10,000 by 31 March.
Sophie Hayles, CEO of the Crescent Arts Centre, says:
‘The Bursaries have been shaped by those who knew Helen personally and continue her values. We are proud to work with Philip Johnston, Brenda McKee and Jane Mooney, longstanding members of the dance community, with Philip and Brenda teaching in the Helen Lewis Studio at The Crescent.
The bursaries are intentionally flexible, designed to respond quickly and directly to the real needs of artists via a clear and accessible application process. In recognition of the many roles that make dance possible, applications are open not only to dancers and choreographers, but also to teachers, lighting designers, videographers and others working in the sector.
Donations play a vital role in sustaining this fund and we warmly encourage people to attend the celebration event, learn more about the bursary, and help us continue Helen’s legacy by supporting the next generation of dance talent in Northern Ireland.’
Dancer, choreographer, and Philip Johnston, says:
“Helen Lewis was foundational to the development of modern dance in Northern Ireland. She challenged us to think deeply, move honestly, and create with purpose. The bursary reflects her spirit, it’s responsive, generous and rooted in the real needs of artists. Supporting it means supporting the future of dance here and I would encourage anyone who values this art form to come to the event, learn more and help keep Helen’s legacy moving forward.”
Tickets for the celebratory event are now available, and members of the dance industry and dance enthusiasts alike are warmly encouraged to attend. Maiden Voyage Dance Company will present a new short solo piece created especially for the occasion, featuring dancer and bursary recipient Sarah Flavelle performing alongside harpist Ursula Burns.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to view artwork by artist Sarah Longley. A former student of Helen Lewis, Sarah will exhibit a large charcoal triptych inspired by Ghetto, a poem written by her father, Michael Longley. Both the poem and the artwork reflect on Helen Lewis’s Holocaust experiences and stand as a dedication to Helen and to the members of her family who lost their lives in the Holocaust.
Katie Robb, dancer and recipients of the pilot scheme bursaries, says:
‘The bursary had a significant impact on my artistic development and would not have been possible without the financial support. It enabled me to travel to Lyon, where I experienced a wide range of high-quality performances, including Swan Lake by the British Ballet Festival. Seeing such diverse work expanded my understanding of performance styles and artistic excellence, which has directly influenced my creative goals and career aspirations.
The bursary also allowed me to take open classes in hip hop and contemporary dance, helping me develop new technical skills and versatility as a performer. Meeting new dancers and artists from different backgrounds boosted my confidence and sense of belonging within the wider dance community. Overall, this opportunity greatly supported my personal growth, artistic inspiration, and professional development.’
For more information on the event and tickets, click here.
To make a donation to the Helen Lewis Bursaries click here.
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