February 1st: Today’s Feature

February

Noel Wallace, a multi-talented artist hailing from Bow, East London, was fortunate enough to have his foster parent, Debbie Holme, recognise his exceptional dance abilities. Despite the prevailing pressure for Black students at ArtsEd to pursue musical theatre instead of ballet, Noel Wallace's unwavering passion for ballet led him to excel in his craft.

In addition to being a gifted dancer, he has also ventured into choreography, writing, and filmmaking, making him a true force to be reckoned with in the artistic world.

His story is a life-changing journey of a young Barnardo's boy whose life underwent a profound transformation through the captivating world of dance.

"When I was 12 I was in a spot of bother," remembers Wallace, 31,

Orchard House in Chelmsford became his unexpected home, where he crossed paths with a remarkable woman named Debbie Holme. Debbie, a drama teacher, eventually became his foster parent. Despite the challenges she faced as a single white woman caring for a spirited black child, she wholeheartedly took care of him.

One particular day, Wallace found himself sitting outside the headmaster's office, his body stained with blood from a fight involving a compass. In that moment, Debbie approached him and sat down beside him. She accompanied Wallace as they entered the headmaster's office, passionately advocating for his case in order to prevent his expulsion. She expressed her belief in his exceptional talents and offered her support. It was during this time that she was forming a small dance troupe and invited Wallace to join.

A vulnerable 12 year old, Wallace had already experienced his fair share of hardships. Hailing from Bow, London, he was the middle child among five sons, born to Jamaican parents who had migrated to Britain. Unfortunately, his parents' separation and his mother falling ill led to him being placed in care at the young age of six.

Initially taken in by Barnardo's, Wallace and his brothers were then separated and moved from one place to another. Despite various attempts at fostering Wallace, it didn’t work out, leading him back to Barnardo's. However, it was at Orchard House, under the guidance of Debbie Holme, that Wallace's life took a different turn - towards dance. Debbie had invited him to join a dance class, but Wallace agreed only if he could bring along his mischievous mates, who were all white and involved in glue sniffing. The chaos caused by his friends disrupted the class, prompting Wallace to leave.

Debbie, however, saw potential in him and encouraged him to return. This time, Wallace came back without his unruly and spirited companions. Eventually, his friends attended one of his shows and were captivated by his talent.

Wallace, after completing his education at London's Arts Educational School, successfully auditioned for the English National Ballet, making history as the company's first black classical ballet dancer.

Going Professional

Wallace embarked on his professional journey with Wayne Sleep and Company, but faced disappointment when he initially auditioned for Peter Schaufuss, the artistic director of the London Festival Ballet. However, Denzil Bailey, a former member of the English National Ballet, revealed that the company faced the threat of defunding unless they diversified their workforce by hiring black dancers.

In response to this, Schaufuss decided to hire Wallace, making him the first Black male dancer to join the London Festival Ballet, which is now known as the English National Ballet. After three years of dedicated dancing with the company, from 1985 to 1988, Wallace went on to join the prestigious Béjart Ballet.

Looking back on his journey, he fondly remembers the moment he was enthralled by the company's rehearsal at the tender age of 13. Wallace dedicated two years of his life to dancing with the English National Ballet, from 1985 to 1987, and he openly acknowledges the difficulties he faced while trying to fit into the company.

Learning & Discipline

Despite finding the repetitive nature of daily classes and rehearsals somewhat tiresome, Wallace's determination and passion for dance allowed him to persevere. He discovered that the discipline required in his ballet training actually had a calming effect on his life, which motivated him to push through the challenges he encountered along the way.

When it comes to discussing his childhood, Wallace typically shies away from the topic. He dislikes complaining about his background and prefers to focus on the present. However, there was a moment that brought him immense pride and joy.

Cover Boy

Just before Christmas in 2002, he was featured on the front cover of Barnardo's magazine, becoming the first individual to receive such recognition. This accomplishment holds a special place in his heart, surpassing any other achievement he has experienced thus far.

According to FAB (Food & Behaviour) Research, Noel has embarked on a fascinating journey to investigate the potential connection between creativity and nutrition, collaborating with esteemed experts in the field of food and behaviour. In this endeavour, a team of dedicated scientists will provide Noel with valuable technical insights into the intricate mechanisms and functions of the human brain. Together, they will conduct a practical experiment aimed at exploring the impact of diet and nutrition on the creativity of artists from diverse disciplines.

By gathering comprehensive information, they hope to uncover how nutrition may have influenced the artists' creative and artistic output, both in terms of intensity and frequency. The findings of this groundbreaking research have the potential to revolutionise artistic consciousness, as the evidence presented to institutions will offer practitioners and students a fresh perspective on the cultivation of creative inspiration.

Ben Stevenson from the Houston Ballet has praised Wallace as being one of the most talented dancers of his time. Wallace's choreography skills have also been recognized by various companies, leading to numerous job opportunities.

In the year 2000, he showcased his creativity by creating a contemporary adaptation of Petrushka, which was specifically set at the vibrant Notting Hill Carnival. Additionally, Wallace's research on nutrition has gained recognition and has even been shortlisted for the prestigious National Endowment of Science Technology and the Arts Dream Time Award.