New Adventures Choreographer Award winner announced

The winner of the 2015/16 New Adventures Choreographer Award (NACA) has been named as Jamaal Burkmar.

Burkmar beat nearly 100 applicants to win the award and was chosen after a weekend of interviews, debate and deliberation by a panel chaired by Matthew Bourne.

The biennial NACA award is run by the charitable arm of New Adventures, Re:Bourne and provides support on budgeting, publicity, contracting, fundraising and tour booking. Burkmar will now receive 12 months of mentoring and support to develop new work to be presented by New Adventures at his own showcase performance in autumn 2016.

NACA was originally established in 2010 by colleagues and friends in celebration of Bourne's 50th birthday and has since established itself as one of the sector's most prestigious platforms for new choreographic talent. Original winner James Cousins has since gone on to establish an international choreographic career working with major dance companies around the world and touring his own work globally.

Matthew Bourne said: "After an insightful weekend of deliberation and debate Jamaal was a clear favourite of our judges from this year's short-listed applicants. We were all impressed by Jamaal's potential to be a leading choreographer.

"His exploration of movement through eclectic music choices coupled with his desire to share his personal journey through his choreography make him an exciting and deserving winner."

Burkmar added: "I'm thrilled and delighted to have won this year's award and to be following in the footsteps of such brilliant previous winners. I can't wait to get started on developing new work and showcasing it to the industry next year."

The six other shortlisted emerging choreographers were: Corey Baker, Tara D'Arquian, Alexandra Green, Eleesha Drennan, Andrew McNicol and Matt Nicholson.