Throughout 2025 and into 2026 we’ve been collaborating with
@maiyaleeke to develop new movement language that combines aerial suspension, contemporary dance and the mechanics of her wheelchair. This research has been generously supported twice as a Jerwood Choreographic Research Project funded by
@jerwood_foundation and
@fabric.dance
This exploration builds on the harness work she did with
@lina.acro and
@jamescitrus for Bradford 2025's opening spectacular Rise, using the suspension of the harness, with and without her wheelchair in the air, in combination with her contemporary movement training.
In Maiya’s words: “Dreaming is my superpower. How far can I dream if my body and wheelchair are suspended in the air? Through research in Contemporary dance, aerial suspension, and the mechanics of my wheelchair, I am uncovering a new language of possibility. My wheelchair both enables and restricts me as a Contemporary dancer. I find freedom using equipment to support my body to move, however, there are limitations of a wheelchair that contribute to the level of freedom I feel and can find.”
Check out our reposts tab for her reel from the first stage.
📸
@vallis89 , 📽
@maiyaleeke
Team: Maiya, Lina, James, Lottie,
@upsidedownlu ,
@ihsaandb ,
@lissylovett ,
@flyingfantastic .
ALT Text [main film]: A white woman, Maiya, and her manual wheelchair being suspended in the air with a harness, allowing her to connect to her wheelchair in unusual shapes. She dances with a black male standing dancer, Ihsaan, who holds, lifts, and supports her and her wheelchair in creative balances. There’s a sense of exciting play, discovery, and optimism and Maiya’s face is often beaming with joy. Whilst Maiya is the person flying, this wouldn’t be possible without the clear connection between the artists in the room. The sense of teamwork is visible and the foundation throughout.
#CircusEveryDamnDay #Strength #Aerial #Counterweighting #Wheelchair
![Throughout 2025 and into 2026 we’ve been collaborating with @maiyaleeke to develop new movement language that combines aerial suspension, contemporary dance and the mechanics of her wheelchair. This research has been generously supported twice as a Jerwood Choreographic Research Project funded by @jerwood_foundation and @fabric.danceThis exploration builds on the harness work she did with @lina.acro and @jamescitrus for Bradford 2025's opening spectacular Rise, using the suspension of the harness, with and without her wheelchair in the air, in combination with her contemporary movement training.In Maiya’s words: “Dreaming is my superpower. How far can I dream if my body and wheelchair are suspended in the air? Through research in Contemporary dance, aerial suspension, and the mechanics of my wheelchair, I am uncovering a new language of possibility. My wheelchair both enables and restricts me as a Contemporary dancer. I find freedom using equipment to support my body to move, however, there are limitations of a wheelchair that contribute to the level of freedom I feel and can find.”Check out our reposts tab for her reel from the first stage. @vallis89, @maiyaleekeTeam: Maiya, Lina, James, Lottie, @upsidedownlu, @ihsaandb, @lissylovett, @flyingfantastic.ALT Text [main film]: A white woman, Maiya, and her manual wheelchair being suspended in the air with a harness, allowing her to connect to her wheelchair in unusual shapes. She dances with a black male standing dancer, Ihsaan, who holds, lifts, and supports her and her wheelchair in creative balances. There’s a sense of exciting play, discovery, and optimism and Maiya’s face is often beaming with joy. Whilst Maiya is the person flying, this wouldn’t be possible without the clear connection between the artists in the room. The sense of teamwork is visible and the foundation throughout.#CircusEveryDamnDay #Strength #Aerial #Counterweighting #Wheelchair](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6735571354235268463052_0_242692a0ca5c161fe6752eb8439a21f7.jpg?o=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&h=72b1a2627587a19fe4d09a597b5d8073)
