News

With great sadness, Trinity Laban announces that former Director of Dance Mirella Bartrip OBE died on Monday 1 November after a period of ill health.

Mirella’s 36-year contribution to Trinity Laban was extraordinary. She joined what was then the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance in 1982 as an hourly paid lecturer, teaching classical ballet, dance technique theory, and teaching studies.

In 1984, she became Programme Leader for the undergraduate dance programme. Over a period of 20 years, she led a series of reviews that refined and shaped the programme into what is recognised internationally as one of the world’s most prestigious dance degrees.

As first Vice Principal (Academic) and then Deputy Director & Dean of Studies, she oversaw the creation and development of a series of flagship Masters programmes, including the UK’s first Masters programme in Dance Science. She was also an important figure in the merger with Trinity College of Music, leading to the formation of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

In 2010, Mirella became Director of Dance at Trinity Laban. Her numerous achievements have included being part of the team that saw Trinity Laban gain its own Taught Degree Awarding Powers, and successfully enter the Research Excellence Framework for the first time.

Mirella gained an international reputation as a dance educator, and was regularly invited to judge competitions and assess dance work across the globe.

Mirella was awarded an OBE for services to Dance, Education and Training in the 2020 New Year’s Honours. Her investiture ceremony, delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, happened earlier this year (pictured below), and Mirella was able to celebrate surrounded by her family and friends, including many Trinity Laban colleagues.

Professor Anthony Bowne, Principal of Trinity Laban, comments:

“Mirella was a wonderful colleague and friend, and her contribution to Trinity Laban – as well as to dance training globally – is unmatched. I feel her loss very deeply.

She leaves a magnificent legacy behind her as a champion of excellence and creativity working together in dance training to create professional, curious and innovative dance artists. This vision and ethos have influenced and transformed dance training across the World.

I stand with all of the Trinity Laban graduates and staff whose lives were changed by Mirella’s passion and dedication.”

If you would like to leave your condolences or a note of remembrance for Mirella Bartrip, please do so by emailing remembrance@trinitylaban.ac.uk