A recent Trinity Laban performance has led directly to a current double bass student performing with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

In Trinity Laban’s innovative Side by Side series, students regularly perform alongside principal players from the UK’s top orchestras. The most recent concert on 4 November saw Trinity Laban students join forces with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at Maida Vale Studios.

At this performance, current student Lewis Grant Reid made such a good impression that he was invited back by the orchestra the following week, joining their double bass section in their performance of Berlioz’ Grande Messe des Morts at the Royal Albert Hall.

Lewis commented:

‘It was a little daunting to play with the BBCSO at first, but once I was on stage all my apprehensions went away.

I have to applaud the bass department here at Trinity Laban, ever since I started studying here it’s continued to get stronger. We all support and push each other to keep working hard, which is great!’

Trinity Laban alumni regularly go on to successful employment as soloists, chamber musicians and with the UK’s leading orchestras.

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

Music alumni Litha and Effy Efthymiou have been collaborating with dance alumnus Harriet Parker-Beldeau and ex-staff member Esmé Patey-Ford, to devise an interdisciplinary work exploring ritual and female identity.

Twin composers Litha and Effy have composed Rituals to Mould her with, which has a strong theatrical style fusing music for harpsichord, electronics, percussion and found objects. As a group, the women have devised an interdisciplinary piece exploring rituals in old Spanish religious texts, with a particular focus on the impact that the figure of the Virgin Mary has on women.

Inspired by the musical ritual that celebrated the Virgin Mary in early medieval Spain, the composers and performance artists have drawn material from 1100-year-old manuscripts and engaged with cutting-edge research at the University of Bristol. They aim to show how the ‘Mary Ritual’ was a powerful tool used by prominent men to shape and communicate male ideals.

Effy and Litha’s music has been described as ‘brilliantly realised’ (Time Out) and ‘deeply immersive’ (5against4). With awards and commissions from PRS Women Make Music, Arts Council England, Wellcome Trust, Consortium 5 and the International Guitar Foundation among many more, they are ‘fast becoming names to watch’ (The Fashion Globe).

You can hear Rituals to Mould her with at Kings Place on 5 February 2017. For more information and to book tickets please visit the Kings Place website.

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

Olie Brice (Double Bass), Corrie Dick (Drums), Duncan Eagles (Saxophone) and Rebecca Nash (Saxophone) are among the eight jazz musicians lined up for the next edition of jazz initiative Take Five.

Organised by jazz promoters Serious, Take Five aims to give young jazz artists the chance to take time out and develop their music and business. The twelfth edition will run until the summer of 2017 and provide participants with one-to-one mentoring sessions to address their particular areas of need, as well a residential period for exploring areas such as composition, performance, communications, business infrastructure and strategic direction.

Joe Townsend, Trinity Laban Professor and one of the Take Five project leaders, commented:

‘Take Five gives the opportunity for young artists who are already becoming established to take a week to reflect on what they do and to form a plan to develop their careers under the guidance of leading artists and music business leaders.

It is a bit like Trinity Laban’s Engaging Audiences course, but on steroids. I personally really enjoy working to help young artists plan their next career steps in the rich and changing world of Jazz and Contemporary music.’

A panel of industry experts contributed to the selection process, taking into account the following considerations: creativity, future potential, style of music, range of influences, and distinctive contribution to the jazz community. The Jazz Department at Trinity Laban is one of the strongest in Europe, which provides an education grounded in the jazz tradition whilst at the same time looking forwards with curiosity.

For more information about studying Jazz at Trinity Laban, visit our Study pages.

Image: Corrie Dick from corriedick.com

2015 graduate Sebastian Abarbanell has been making remarkable achievements as a dancer in New York.

After graduating, Sebastian joined the New York City based company Gallim Dance as an apprentice for a year. Gallim Dance is one of New York’s leading contemporary dance companies – performing nationally and internationally. With the company, Sebastian performed at venues such as the Lincoln Centre in NYC, the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C., and the Kimmel Centre in Philadelphia.

After completing his apprenticeship he joined Sidra Bell Dance New York as a full company member for their 2016-2018 creation and performance seasons.

Sebastian commented:

‘The apprenticeship was a very important learning experience for me as I was able to focus on my personal goals as a dancer. It opened up incredible opportunities for me; it got me where I wanted to be and am now, a dancer in a company that allows me to be myself and values my individual artistic voice.’

Trinity Laban’s undergraduate dance students are taught by a wide range of practicing dance artists and academics, each prominent in their particular field of specialism and expertise. The programme trains students to be technically advanced, versatile and creative dance artists.

To read the full interview with Sebastian Abarbanell, please visit the Trinity Laban blog.

For more information about studying dance with us, visit our Study pages.

Soprano Jessie Tse, who graduated from Trinity Laban in 2013, was awarded the 1st Prize in the Antonio Bertolini Competition in Milan, as well as two other special prizes: the Gitanilla Prize and the Leoncavallo Prize.

As the winner of the Antonio Bertolini Competition, Jessie made her Italian debut in Auditorium Gaber – Pirellone. She will return to Milan in December 17 to compete with instrumentalists in the grand finale. Apart from monetary prizes, the Leoncavallo Prize also gave her the opportunity to perform a recital in the Leoncavallo Museum in Switzerland.

The competition is in memory of Antonio Bertolini, who believed strongly in the importance of art and culture in the development of society.

Since graduating, Jessie has received an impressive number of prizes and accolades. These include third prize in both the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod (International Voice of the Future 2015) and the Yokohama International Music Competition 2016. As a Britten-Pears Young Artist she performed in iSing! Festival Suzhou in China. Jessie also sang with Wexford Opera Chorus in 2016.

To find out more about studying Voice at Trinity Laban, visit our Vocal Studies page.

Tenor Adam Music will join the Chorus of Welsh National Opera in January 2017.

Adam graduated from Trinity Laban in 2016, and is quickly making strides as on operatic performer. Joining the Welsh National Opera is an outstanding achievement – the opera has attracted some of the world’s best opera singers as well as giving many young singers, like Adam, their first steps to international renown. At its heart are the Company’s two full time ensembles, the 40 strong Chorus and 55 strong Orchestra.

The Chorus is an integral part of the company playing a significant role in the operatic performances. The WNO Chorus is widely regarded as a world-class ensemble and often singled out in reviews by national and international press.

Recognising that the voice is the most human of instruments, Vocal Studies at Trinity Laban supports the individual development of versatile and inquiring singers and musicians. Students benefit from working with our expert and distinguished teaching staff and coaches, in addition to a wealth of workshops, master classes and performance platforms.

For information about studying Voice at Trinity Laban, visit our Study Pages.

Find more information on the Welsh National Opera at their website. 

This month, Trinity Laban is presenting the world premiere of Woman of Sun, a newly commissioned work by Botis Seva.

Woman of Sun blends oriental traditions, 21st century questions and culture clash into a high energy, exhilarating performance. Using experimental hip hop language and martial arts concepts, Woman of Sun integrates Botis’ distinct visual language with raw commentary on 21st century life. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this for the first time.

A Londoner born and bred, Botis Seva has made performance pieces across theatre, film and local community work with his company Far From The Norm since 2010. Seva has performed at various international showcases, including Breakin’ Convention, Choreography 30 in Hannover and Copenhagen’s International Choreographic Competition.

Botis says:

‘I think it’s going to be an interesting show. It’s going to be thought-provoking, it’s going to be challenging as well for audiences, and it will be fun show for people to watch!’

The work is presented by the Greenwich Dance & Trinity Laban Partnership’s flagship artist development scheme, Compass Commissions, supporting selected UK-based artists throughout the process of creation. This year’s Compass Commissions artists are Botis Seva, Stephanie Schober, and Tom Roden & Anna Williams.

Brian Brady, Head of Laban Theatre Programme, commented:

‘I’m confident that the audience will see incredibly powerful and visceral work, they’ll experience work that is physically virtuosic, brutally honest and it will be extremely theatrical – both intellectually and emotionally.’

Woman of Sun will be performed at the Laban Theatre on Thu 24 & Fri 25 November at 7.30pm. For more information and to book tickets visit our events page.

Talented young pianist Gen Li will be making his debut at the prestigious Wigmore Hall in November, after winning the 2015 Jaques Samuel Pianos Intercollegiate Piano Competition.

Gen Li became the second Trinity Laban student to win the competition within three years, after Jenna Sung’s success in 2013. They were vying with the best candidates from Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music.

The winner performs recitals at both the Wigmore Hall and the Fazioli Auditorium in Italy. In addition, an official CD release is produced from recordings of the concert at the Wigmore Hall.

Gen commented on his time studying with us:

‘Trinity Laban were very supportive of me in finding my own voice in my piano playing and in my performance. My teachers helped me to develop a lot of my own skills and my own unique colour when I play.

I think Trinity Laban is a place where all musicians should go if they can, because in Trinity Laban the environment is very positive, and the staff extremely helpful; no-one is cold or unfriendly, everyone is very friendly and supportive and the facilities are brilliant. The academic environment and the teaching levels are superb.’

Described as ‘the golden fingers’ by BBC Radio 3 presenter Sean Rafferty, Gen has won numerous prizes in piano competitions and has performed at some of the world’s finest venues, receiving high praise from both public and critics alike.

The recital will take place on 27 Nov at 7.30pm. For more information and to book tickets, visit the Wigmore Hall website.

For more information about studying piano at Trinity Laban, visit our Study Music pages. 

2016 graduate Zoe Rogers will join in the ensemble of 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

The production will be directed by the show’s co-author Mark Bramble – director of many award-winning previous productions of 42nd Street on Broadway and around the world. 42nd Street will arrive in London at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in April 2017 with an all-singing, high-kicking cast of over 50, ready to explode on to the West End’s biggest stage.

Zoe commented on her time at Trinity Laban:

‘Because Trinity Laban offers courses for musicians, dancers and musical theatre performers, there is a great range of talent to see and mingle with.

The conservatoire provides supportive tutors and a safe working environment where students can experiment and push themselves to successfully achieve goals. This has certainly boosted my confidence in my ability!’

Our BA3 musical theatre students will be bringing acclaimed musical The Clockmaker’s Daughter back to life at the Laban Theatre on Fri 2 & Saturday 3 December.

Opening last year Off-West End, The Clockmaker’s Daughter quickly sold out and became one of the most popular and highly acclaimed shows of the year. For more information and to book tickets visit our events page.

You can also experience what life as a musical theatre student at Trinity Laban at our BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Performance Open Day, on Thursday 1 December 2016.The day will include a range of activities that will help you gain an insight into the vibrant Musical Theatre Department, including workshops in all three disciplines, meeting with members of the faculty and students and a Q&A session.

For more information and to book, please visit our Musical Theatre pages.

As part of the London Jazz Festival, Trinity Laban’s Shapeshifter will perform Mark Lockheart’s brand new work Brave World. The piece is an adventurous and glorious collaboration between jazz and contemporary classical music, jointly commissioned by the London Jazz Festival and Trinity Laban.

Shapeshifter will also be performing this piece in a double bill performance with Trinity Laban’s Chamber Choir, at Blackheath Halls in December.

Trinity Laban Alumni who are headlining or listed at the festival include: Partikel (Duncan Eagles and Max Luthert), Mark Lockheart, Martin Speake (both also TL staff), Moses Boyd (Binker & Moses), Phil Meadows, Peter Edwards, Nerija, Empirical, Steve Rubie, Ruben Fox, Laura Jurd, Elliot Galvin, Ezra Collective, Emilia Martensson, Samuel Eagles and Rory Simmons. Other alumni playing at the festival include Conor Chaplin, Mark Kavuma, Daniel Casimir, Corrie Dickand Tom Hewson.

The London Jazz Festival is a 10-day celebration of jazz, delivering a mix of world-class artists and emerging stars and taking the music to a massive and ever-growing audience. The Festival has a reputation for bringing the best and freshest music to the capital, with a wide-ranging programme of concerts, commissions, club events, talks, and an expansive learning and participation programme. 

For more information on Shapeshifter’s performance visit our event page.
To find out more about the London Jazz Festival visit their website. 

Alumnus James Darch has joined the cast of Wicked on London’s West End.

James trained for a year on the Foundation Degree in Musical Theatre at Trinity Laban, leaving in 2009 to complete his training. He went on to work in various musical theatre productions, including the role of Sky in London West End’s Mamma Mia!. He has now joined the cast of Wicked as ensemble, and recently had his debut performance as first cover of the lead, Fiyero.

James says: ‘The show is challenging me in different ways, I am now dancing more than I have since some of my first jobs. It’s interesting to work on such a large show, and I’m performing in eight shows a week!’

James has also taught as a special guest tutor on Trinity Laban’s Musical Theatre Summer School for the past couple of years. Participants have been able to watch him live in performance before working with him on putting together a number from the show.

In recent years Trinity Laban has developed an unparalleled reputation for its unique Musical Theatre performance training experience. To find out more about our Musical Theatre programmes, please visit the study pages.