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Exploring struggles with Body Image and positive steps towards recovery through the medium of music and dance.
In 2011, a group of professional musicians and dancers worked with emerging composer Ellie Davies, on an especially composed piece of music choreographed to represent the battles of someone with an eating disorder.
The piece was performed in the Dining Hall of under Lyme College Staffordshire before an invited audience of members.
Ellie, now 30, says:
“ I have suffered with an eating disorder for 15 years and been hospitalised several times. I found writing Dance 123, using my love of music and dance as a means of self- expression and an aid to self- awareness has led to increased confidence and belief in myself which can only help in the recovery process.
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I was inspired to write more music for community projects since completing Dance 123, including a major work for performance in a Stoke on Trent working pottery museum in 2013 and I went back to University to complete an MA in Composition (with distinction) in 2017. After this two further compositions were performed celebrating the Ordinary men who died in WW1 (see Facebook Ordinary Men) and Pilgrimages based on poems by Welsh poet priest RS Thomas.
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I’d like to encourage others to use the arts as a way to increasing mind/body balance as part of their recovery so I’m pleased to share Dance 123 with ABC’s supporters and members.”
“When you dance both body and mind are in harmony, just as they are when you are well, but with an eating disorder the mind and body become separated and conflict; old routines need to be broken and new routines"