Tell us about your dance journey
Since 2009, I have been a professional dancer at Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, and Mischa van Leeuwen has been a dancer since 1997 at Scapino Ballet. We both have had remarkable careers, dancing in works by choreographers such as Marcos Morau, Marco Goecke, Georg Reischl, Ed Wubbe, Krisztina de Chatel, Min Lee, Gentian Doda, Stephen Shropshire, Felix Landerer, Itamar Serussi, and many others. Many years ago, I participated as a dancer in the solo titled “The Beginning,” choreographed by Mischa van Leeuwen, at the International Solo-Dance-Theatre Festival in Stuttgart. That experience immediately showed us and made us feel the incredible boost a competition can give to emerging choreographers. A small seed was planted, specifically a duet competition, because there wasn’t one in the world at that time. Additionally, during the Stuttgart Competition, we fell in love. Fifteen years later, we are still together, with a child and RIDCC. Then, the adventure began. We discussed our idea of a Dutch choreography competition with experienced individuals in the dance community, and before long, RIDCC was founded. It is built and supported by people we admire, including leading Dutch and international dance institutions that are committed to contributing to unprecedented Partner Awards.
Tell us about RIDCC
RIDCC is a unique annual choreography competition that connects emerging choreographic voices with renowned artistic leaders and programmers, both nationally and internationally. Each year, more than 400 choreographers from around the world, working in all imaginable dance styles, apply to participate in the duet competition, where they have the chance to win outstanding awards. Each year, 16 duets are selected to join the RIDCC community and gain access to its exclusive opportunities. RIDCC fosters valuable partnerships with leading Dutch and international dance institutions, which are dedicated to creating exceptional Partner Awards. These awards provide great visibility within the dance world, access to a valuable network, and the unique opportunity to develop a production within a company.
Tell us when and how you decided to create RIDCC
While sitting at the back of the Scapino Ballet Rotterdam bus en route to a performance, we started brainstorming a choreography competition that would eventually become RIDCC. The idea stemmed from our desire to give emerging choreographers a genuine chance to develop and be recognized. We noticed that many talented artists struggled to find real opportunities. The concept had been brewing since 2011, when we won second place at the International Solo-Dance-Theatre Festival in Stuttgart. It was a gratifying and unexpected achievement, accompanied by prize money, but we were uncertain about how to turn that success into a sustainable career opportunity. That’s when we realized that, to build a career for emerging choreographers, they need to get their foot in the door of companies. Because once the prize money was gone, what was next?
This insight led us to the idea of Partner Awards instead, they are more beneficial because they allow choreographers to hone their craft, receive payment, and gain visibility. Understanding the structure of competitions also revealed a gap: the Netherlands lacked a dedicated choreography competition. Despite being an innovative hub for contemporary dance, subsidy cuts had caused companies to focus on filling audiences rather than inviting mid-career and emerging artists to choreograph. We thought, “OK, we need to step in. We realized we had the power to help artists. The dream became a mission, and in 2017, RIDCC was officially born. It has since grown into the world’s largest duet competition, paving the way for the next generation of choreographic talent. With a seed of an idea and a lot of enthusiasm, we began pitching RIDCC to various institutions, respected colleagues, and funding bodies both in the Netherlands and internationally.
RIDCC is a dance duet festival that grew very quickly. What does this success mean to you?
We don't believe in success, but in growth. I believe the growth came very quickly, because we see RIDCC not merely as a competition but as a comprehensive ecosystem designed to support long-term careers. For us and for all the former participants, RIDCC is much more than just a contest. It’s a space where choreographers receive coaching, attend master classes, and connect with a network of dance professionals. This nurturing environment helps artists navigate the dance world with confidence and stay true to their artistic vision. RIDCC isn’t solely about winning a prize; it’s about entering a system that supports growth while honoring each artist’s unique voice. The core idea of the program is to provide long-term support beyond just winning.
As RIDCC grows, so does its alumni network. Through initiatives like RIDCC Brings Back, past winners are involved in various events we organize or in other festivals and dance institutions. This creates a cycle of sustainable relationships.
The best compliment we can receive is when an alumni says, “Because of RIDCC, my career took off.” That’s when we know we’ve made a meaningful impact.
You have many companies supporting the event with great opportunities for choreographers. How important is supporting emerging choreographers for you?
Very important, as everything we do is driven by the core idea and genuine desire to give emerging choreographers a real chance to grow and be seen. It comes from our hearts and our passion for dance, fueled by a strong motivation. I believe this passion is evident when people work with us.
How many applications do you receive each year?
In recent years, we’ve received over 400 submissions. And these are only duet proposals. It’s a substantial task for the pre-jury to review all applications and select the 16 duets that will come to Rotterdam.
Tell us more about the process of selecting candidates for the event in Rotterdam.
All pre-jury members receive a jury document with the judging-guidelines and have a personal call with us. Each pre-jury member watches all submissions individually and judges each entry on their own judging form. They cannot see how others have scored. By mid-March, the pre-jury comes together, and each member presents their top 16 and four reserves. Through discussion and unanimously deliberation, they collectively agree on the final 16 duets that will be invited to Rotterdam.
After the festival, many choreographers have been able to advance their careers. Do you think RIDCC helped provide them with opportunities and visibility within the community?
We’ve already seen long-term support from partner companies for choreographers who won a Partner Award at RIDCC. We emphasize to our Partners that RIDCC isn’t just about winning; it’s about entering a system that nurtures continued growth. While not always possible, many choreographers have been invited back multiple times, and some are given opportunities to create work with partner companies next to the Partner Award. Additionally, many scouts and bookers attend RIDCC and next to that also watch the free livestream this further increasing visibility.
This year, DanceAuditions will be one of the sponsors of RIDCC. Do you see this collaboration growing in the future?
We’re very pleased with this partnership and look forward to seeing how it develops. We believe collaborations like this can strengthen the platform and create new opportunities for choreographers.
What do you do when you’re not working?
We don’t have much free time, but when we do, we cherish spending it with our family and friends. We have a 4-year-old daughter, and we love to spend quality time with her. We also enjoy traveling around the world to explore new cultures and countries, and we frequently attend performances.
The RIDCC 2026 will be held from June 18–20 in Rotterdam. A complimentary livestream will be available worldwide. For tickets, visit www.ridcc.com