We are delighted to announce that following the retirement of Linda Hirst, Jennifer Hamilton will be the new Head of Vocal Studies at Trinity Laban.

Jennifer Hamilton studied at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and taught at the Royal College of Music, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and at the RNCM before taking up her current position as Lecturer in the Vocal, Opera and Drama Department in Dublin at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, where she was Acting Head of Department last year. Alongside her work as a singing and stagecraft teacher, she has directed numerous opera productions in Ireland and the UK, and established the annual Baroque Opera projects for the Yorke Trust in Norfolk.

Jennifer will work alongside current Head of Vocal Studies Linda Hirst in the summer term, before assuming full responsibility for the department in the summer. Linda Hirst will continue to teach individual students.

Dr Claire Mera-Nelson, Director of Music at Trinity Laban, commented:

“Under Linda Hirst’s truly magnificent leadership over the past twenty-two years, Trinity Laban’s vocal department has gone from strength to strength. Undergraduate James Newby’s triumph in last year’s Kathleen Ferrier Awards is just one example of the many successes enjoyed by our students and graduates, and it’s no surprise that every year, more and more young singers see us as their first or only choice study destination. I am indebted to Linda for all she has done to secure the department’s current achievements, and I am really pleased that she will continue to teach here.

“I’m thrilled that we’ll be welcoming Jennifer Hamilton to succeed Linda as Head of Vocal Studies at Trinity Laban. As an experienced opera director and educator within the conservatoire sector, Jennifer brings a deep understanding of what young singers need in order to develop their voices, and of how they can express themselves within a dramatic context. In this era of live broadcasts, pop-up opera and multimedia multi-genre collaborations, singers need to possess a wide variety of skills, and I know that Jennifer will give Trinity Laban students the very best chance of future success.”

Jennifer Hamilton commented:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be coming to Trinity Laban, which is envied throughout the musical world for its incredible buildings in beautiful Greenwich and Blackheath, its forward-thinking ethos, its creativity, its hugely supportive atmosphere and – most importantly of all – its wonderful teaching staff. I can’t wait to meet and get working with the students and singing teachers, and to build on Linda’s marvellous legacy.”

For more information on vocal studies at Trinity Laban visit trinitylaban.ac.uk/voice

This September, Trinity Laban students will perform side by side with leading orchestral musicians at one the UK’s top opera festivals.

Trinity Laban instrumentalists will join members of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) at the Grange Festival for the world premiere staging of a newly orchestrated version of Jonathan Dove’s Mansfield Park.

This project is part of BSO and Trinity Laban’s new partnership aimed at increasing professional development for young musicians pursuing careers as orchestral musicians, while improving the diversity of the UK orchestral profession. BSO musicians will be mentoring and performing alongside Trinity Laban students in a variety of different contexts.

Dr Claire Mera-Nelson, Director of Music at Trinity Laban, commented:

“For the aspiring orchestral musician, there is nothing better than performing alongside experienced professionals. Our unique Side by Side orchestral projects already see our students performing alongside principal players from the UK’s top orchestras at our “home venue” of Blackheath Halls and elsewhere, for example at the BBC Maida Vale Studios. I’m delighted that our new partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is creating further, exceptional opportunities such as this one in which our students will perform across the UK, and gain invaluable knowledge and skills. We’ll be announcing more initiatives in the coming months – so watch this space!”

With a roster of teachers that includes principal players from the leading UK orchestras, Trinity Laban offers truly exceptional training for orchestral musicians. For more information visit the Trinity Laban website.

The choreographers for the 2017/18 Transitions Dance Company will be Jarkko Partanen, Hagit Yakira and Richard Chappell.

Jarkko Partanen is a Helsinki-based choreographer and performer. In 2012 he graduated from the MA Choreography programme at the Theatre Academy of Helsinki. Prior to this he studied here at Trinity Laban and at the Inter-University Centre for Dance Berlin. Partanen’s works have been shown at numerous festivals internationally and his collaboration DIG MY JOCKEY was selected for the Aerowaves top 20 list in 2014. Partanen is a founding member of W A U H A U S collective and his work intertwines tightly-involved group work, eroticising playfulness and strong audiovisual concepts.

Hagit Yakira is an award-winning Israeli choreographer whose company has toured the UK, Europe, Scandinavia and Israel. She is well-known for her warm, poetic, highly physical and compassionate approach to choreography and teaching, which has led to a continuously increasing, passionate, dedicated and diverse following. She has created eight works for her company amongst many other commissioned works for other companies and students. Hagit is constantly in demand to deliver workshops for professional dancers and the community around the UK, Europe, Scandinavia and Israel.

Richard Chappell‘s research into choreography started whilst training at Tring Park School for Performing Arts and Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. In 2014, he formed Richard Chappell Dance, which has undertaken three UK Tours and created three independent films. Richard has created works for Stuttgart Ballet, English National Ballet, BalletWorks, Chichester University and the National Youth Ballet and he is a Discovery Artist at Pavilion Dance South West. By combining his focus on the individual with his full-bodied and evolving movement, Richard strives to take audiences and performers on a journey of unique environments and physical challenge.

Transitions Dance Company comprises advanced postgraduate students studying for an MA Dance Performance. Applications for the 2017/18 intake are now open, and auditions have been scheduled for the following dates:

• Wednesday 15 March
• Thursday 16 March
• Monday 24 April (primarily for overseas candidates)
• Tuesday 25 April – Final audition

For more information on applying for this programme please visit our MA Dance Performance page.

For 35 years Transitions Dance Company has entertained and delighted audiences around the world with a programme of short dance pieces – and 2017 promises to be no exception. Visit the Transitions page on our website to see the upcoming shows.

Image: JK Photography

This February, Trinity Laban will welcome more than 100 leading educators from across Europe to debate the future of pop and jazz teaching.

The Association of European Conservatoires’ (AEC) Pop and Jazz Platform 2017 will take place at Trinity Laban on 17-18 February, involving Q&A sessions, discussion groups and a 15 minute musical performance from the Brexchange Jazz Orchestra. Speakers will include Stefan Heckel, Trinity Laban’s Director of Music Claire Mera-Nelson and AEC President Eirik Birkeland.

The Brexchange Jazz Orchestra is a collaboration between a group of young musicians from music colleges across Europe. Trinity Laban musicians will perform alongside students from the Netherlands, Italy, Austria and Sweden. Over the course of a week, the students will work together in small groups and as a large ensemble, sharing creative approaches to making new music as a part of CoLab – Trinity Laban’s groundbreaking two-week grand festival of collaboration innovation. This particular collaboration will culminate in a 15-minute performance at the end of the AEC event. The project will be mentored by musicians Stefan Heckel (Austria), Jaak Sooäär (Estonia), Lionel Loueke (USA), and Trinity Laban’s Simon Purcell and Joe Townsend.

Simon Purcell commented:

“Trinity Laban has always been active in contributing to a Europe-wide discussion regarding the teaching and learning of jazz, in particular regarding the development of student-centred curricula, engaging audiences and social context. I am honoured that we’re hosting this conference, and showing that after Brexit, we’re more determined and passionate than ever to work closely with our friends and colleagues across the continent.”

For more information visit the Association of European Conservatoire’s website.

This February, Elly Braund will perform with Richard Alston Dance Company (RADC), one of Britain’s foremost contemporary dance companies, as part of the Peak Performances series at Montclair State University, New Jersey.

Joined onstage by the acclaimed musicians of The Shanghai Quartet, RADC will debut a brand new Richard Alston work, Chacony, set to the music of Britten and Purcell, plus the American premiere performances of Martin Lawrance’s Stronghold and Alston’s Mazur and An Italian in Madrid.

Peak Performances has previously presented RADC to high acclaim in 2012 and 2014, with The New York Times’ Alastair Macaulay describing them as “a tonic to watch, even in a season so full of excellent dancers.”

Elly Braund graduated from Trinity Laban in 2011, going on to join RADC as an apprentice and later becoming a full member of the company.

Many Trinity Laban alumni go on to perform in leading dance companies, in the UK and internationally. To find out more about our Dance programmes visit our Study pages.

Image: Chris Nash

On Monday 23 January, Baritone James Newby was announced as the winner of the 2017 Trinity Laban Gold Medal.

The annual Gold Medal Showcase celebrates the success of outstanding young Trinity Laban musicians. Competitors are nominated by the Heads of each of Trinity Laban’s Faculty of Music Departments for their exceptional musical flair and professionalism, and all receive a Trinity Laban Director’s Prize for Achievement in recognition of this.

Upon winning, he commented –

“I have been so looking forward to the Gold Medal as an amazing way to finish off my time at Trinity Laban. It felt like such a celebration and quite rightly there was no hint of competition. I was so, so honoured to have even been chosen to represent such an amazing department full of extremely talented singers and great friends! Trinity Laban has been a phenomenal place to study and I have received so much great advice, support and teaching. A special mention should go to Linda Hirst for all her support and to Alison Wells my vocal teacher who has been a constant inspiration and has had such a massive impact on my life both musically and otherwise, I cannot thank her enough.”

This year’s adjudicators were Trinity Laban’s Director of Music, Dr Claire Mera-Nelson and award-winning percussionist Colin Currie.

Currie commented that the evening’s display had given all of the competitors “a fantastic start to their careers”, before praising Newby for “inhabiting a variety of styles superbly”.

Mera-Nelson rounded off the event by commenting –

“Year upon year, the standard of achievement demonstrated at the Gold Medal increases and it is a delight to watch these former and current students showing off the best of themselves.”

The 2017 finalists performing alongside James Newby were Jon Frank (French Horn), Rob Griffin (Jazz Saxophone), Urška Horvat (Cello), Ben Pearson (Composition) and Ettore Strangio (Piano). 

Image L-R: Claire Mera Nelson, James Newby and Colin Currie (JK Photography)

Trinity Laban today announced a new long-term partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra aimed at increasing professional development for young musicians across the South of England as well as increasing the diversity of the UK orchestral profession.

The partnership extends to BSO’s ground-breaking Change Makers project, which has created a training programme for disabled conductor and artistic leader James Rose. BSO and Trinity Laban have also paired up for the unique Side by Side series, in which principal BSO players perform alongside and offer mentorship to Trinity Laban students. As part of this mentoring programme, students and recent graduates will be given the opportunity to work with BSO Participate and BSO Associates, two programmes which deliver outstanding community engagement across the Southwest.

The BSO and Trinity Laban both share an ambition to redefine the role of the symphony orchestra and conservatoires in the 21st century. Both have identified a gap between higher education and professional practice and so as part of their new partnership Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will offer Trinity Laban students and recent graduates coaching, training and performance opportunities.

Clare Mera-Nelson, Director of Music, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, said:

“We’re delighted today to be able to announce our partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, which marks the coming together of a world-class orchestra with a leading music conservatoire. Trinity Laban has a long history of excellence in training performing musicians and of making high quality learning opportunities available to those who might not otherwise be able to access them. This partnership is an exciting new initiative which supports us all in striving to make real long-term change.”

BSO and Trinity Laban will work also together to identify talented and committed young instrumentalists and composers from communities currently under-represented in the profession including Black & Minority Ethnic, particular socio-economic backgrounds and disabled musicians. By providing support, advice, professional insight and mentoring to help them achieve entry to conservatoires the combination of the BSO and Trinity Laban will help these young musicians pursue careers as orchestral musicians and soloists. 

Dougie Scarfe, Chief Executive of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, announced the partnership in a speech at the opening day of the Association of British Orchestra’s conference, which is this year hosted by the BSO. He said:

“Much needs to be done in the orchestral sector to increase diversity and the range of opportunities available to young players from disadvantaged backgrounds. There’s also a gap between the professional orchestral sector and conservatoires. Trinity Laban shares BSO’s passion for change in these areas and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to team up with them on a range of initiatives that we believe will make a real impact on young people’s professional development.” 

Image: JK Photography

Sarah Golding will join the cast of STOMP in London’s West End at the Ambassador’s Theatre, performing in up to 4 shows a week.

STOMP unites dance, comedy and music into a theatrical experience which explodes with energy. The company bring everyday objects, such as newspapers & bins, and use them to create rhythmic beats in thrilling and playful patterns. The first ever STOMP show was performed 25 years ago at the Edinburgh fringe, and has since travelled around the globe.

Sarah Golding completed both undergraduate and postgraduate training at Trinity Laban, gaining her BA Dance Performance in 2012 and then completing her MA Performance as a member of Transitions Dance Company in 2013. Since graduating, Sarah has performed as part of the Laban Event in Switzerland 2013 and performed works by Colin Poole, Alesandra Seutin and Hamish Pirie. She has most recently performed as a dancer with Lîla Dance prior to gaining a role in STOMP.

Many Trinity Laban alumni go on to perform in leading dance companies, in the UK and internationally. For more information about studying with us, visit our Study pages.

For more information on STOMP, visit the STOMP website. 

Balkan band Op Sa! is producing a new rap song in collaboration with young Romani Gypsy rapper Azza about the Calais and refugee crisis.

The band was formed at Trinity Laban by alumnus Stefan Melovski as part of CoLab, Trinity Laban’s annual festival of collaboration and innovation. CoLab sees our music and dance staff and students join forces to make new work-in-progress; a celebration of creativity, experimentation, and shared learning.

Op Sa! features numerous Trinity Laban alumni, including Maša Mujic, Eve Wieltschnig (both Clarinet), Lily Carassik Whitfield, Nick Armstrong, James Docherty (all Trumpet), Hannah Dilkes, Rosie Turton (both Trombone), Thomas Kelly(Tuba), Peter Bennett, Stefan Melovski (both Guitar) and Olly Sarkar (Drums).

Bringing their own passionate brand of Balkan music, Op Sa! is a blend of wild beats, gypsy flair and modern sound. They have performed at prestigious venues such as the Royal Festival Hall alongside the London Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as being one of the featured headliners at the Lancaster Music Festival 2015.

This year’s CoLab will proudly welcome artists from around the globe to share their artistic practice with students and to exchange ideas with Trinity Laban staff. We are hosting students from across Europe in the Brexchange Jazz Orchestra and welcoming dancers from the Taiwan University of the Arts.

Please visit the CoLab page for more information.

Op Sa! hope to raise funds for The Hummingbird Project, which is working with refugees in Calais, Dunkirk and Brighton. To make a donation, visit their band camp page. You can also watch them on YouTube. 

2014 graduate Phoebe Hart is in the cast of the new musical Bat out of Hell as a featured dancer.

Jim Steinman’s rock and roll theatrical fantasy Bat out of Hell plays at the Manchester Opera House in February before coming to the London Coliseum in June. This new musical features 17 of Meat Loaf’s greatest hits, alongside two new Jim Steinman originals written for the show.

Bat out of Hell follows the eternally young Strat and his wild gang, The Lost, as they roam the streets of Obsidian, a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, ruled by the wicked and tyrannical Falco. When Strat first sets eyes on Falco’s daughter, Raven, who has been locked away in the palace towers, he sets out to rescue her from her evil father’s clutches in a full throttle tale of teenage love, youthful rebellion and living the rock and roll dream.

After graduating, Phoebe completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Performance Studies at London Contemporary Dance School, touring extensively with Richard Alston Dance Company as an apprentice.

For more information and to book tickets visit the Bat out of Hell website.

To find out more about studying at Trinity Laban, visit our Study pages. 

Trinity Laban research student and professor Alexander Walker and professor Teresa Cahill have been awarded the Elgar Societies highest honour.

The Elgar Medal is awarded to individuals who have shown a continued commitment to the promotion of the life and works of Edward Elgar, or to the aims and objectives of The Elgar Society.

The Society commented:

‘Alexander Walker has been an outstanding advocate of the music of Sir Edward Elgar both within the UK and overseas. Over a period approaching twenty years, Mr Walker has conducted many Elgar works, presenting music never before performed in such countries as Romania, Albania and Belarus.  The Elgar Society is delighted to be able to honour Mr Walker for his outstanding work in presenting Elgar’s music to new audiences.

The Elgar Society is very pleased to announce that the outstanding British soprano Teresa Cahill is to be awarded its medal, presented for “continued commitment to the promotion of the life and works of Edward Elgar”. Her association with Elgar’s music dates back to the mid-1960s and has included concerts, broadcasts and recordings with conductors including Sir Alexander Gibson and Vernon Handley.’

To read more about Alexander Walker, visit the Trinity Laban blog.

For more information on Elgar visit the Elgar Society website.

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance offers the research degrees of MPhil and PhD. To find out more visit our research degree programme page.