Ceyda Tanc is Brighton, UK-based choreographer. After studying dance at the University of Roehampton, she spent four months at The State Turkish Conservatoire for Music and Folk Dance in Izmir to train in Zeybek and Denizli, the styles of her heritage. On her return to the UK, Ceyda founded her eponymous company, and started to create a body of contemporary dance work with influences from Turkish folk culture, specifically exploring how the virtuoso movements of male Turkish dancers translate onto female bodies. Now, she’s become well-known for her signature style, and was even invited by Tamara Rojo to advise on the representation of Turkish folk choreography in English National Ballet’s reworking of  ‘Raymonda’ in 2021.  Ahead of the premiere of Ceyda’s latest work, KIZLAR, at Brighton Festival on 16th May 2023, I couldn’t wait to talk to to her about her experience training in Izmir, how and why she seeks subverts gender stereotypes in Turkish folk dance, her current work, and her dreams for the future.