Whilst short term or one-off projects are exciting and stimulating, Balbir recognises that partnership working can bring a richer experience, deeper learning and new ways of working.
Some partnerships bubble away with moments of intense work and unexpected directions of travel. One such example was Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance that opened an opportunity for Balbir to make two large-scale ice skating productions.
While working in Billingham Balbir happened to meet Gary Beacom along the way. Beacom, an Olympic level skater and rollerblader, turned out to be a kindred artistic spirit, and more creative projects with Gary soon followed.
The Billingham partnership has also opened up a whole new international dance connection with many countries, whilst strategically underpinning it is a focus on shared resources, expertise and emotional support.
Some partnerships are short term and project-specific, others can evolve gradually over time beyond the initial work. Whatever form they take skill, care and trust are essential to nurture them.
Balbir has the ability to forge strong bonds of trust with new or potential partners, a fact that he puts down in no small measure to his company’s track record of delivering on their promises.
Balbir’s boundless curiosity ensures the company will delve deeply into whatever world a new project takes them.
Add to this his capacity to quickly adapt to different situations and one has a perfect recipe for building creative and productive partnerships that are able to expand the horizons of all involved.
In conversation – Whitley Bay, Tyneside: Gary Beacom, Olga Maloney, Balbir Singh and Jesse Bannister
