CENTRE FOR ADVANCED TRAINING

Dance Technique and Performing Skills

Students will undertake classes in contemporary dance, ballet and hip-hop supported by other complementary dance forms in order to develop:

• Physical strength, flexibility, agility, co-ordination and efficiency of movement
• Correct posture, placement and alignment
• Spatial awareness, body line and design
• Articulation and clarity of movement
• Movement constituents of the movement vocabularies of the styles studied
• Projection / focus; clarity of intention; appropriate use of dynamics
• Sensitivity to musical phrasing and dynamics
• Use of different movement qualities
• Ability to respond / be present in the moment of presentation
• Ability to utilise and retain feedback
• Use of energy and sense of whole body engagement

Dance Fitness and Health

The aim of the Performance Enhancement (PEn) sessions is to support technical and creative training. The content focuses more on general physical functioning and less on particular dance styles or techniques. The approach is supported by current Dance Science research and knowledge.

Within the PEn sessions the following areas will be worked on:

• Stamina and fitness levels
• Muscular strength and conditioning
• Alignment and control
• Body and anatomical awareness

The PEn sessions will also provide and explain best practice strategies such as:

• Warm-up and cool-down
• Effective stretching
• Positive mental attitude
• Nutrition and hydration for energy giving purposes
• Use of psychological skills such as imagery, to support physical training

Creative Workshops and Choreography

Students will have regular creative workshops and experience with professional choreographers. Students will be encouraged to be imaginative, innovative and take creative risks through:

• Exploring dance ideas/concepts in response to a variety of stimuli e.g. kinaesthetic, literary, visual, auditory, contemporary issues, repertoire, styles and traditions
• Selecting, structuring, and refining movement material
• Developing initial movement ideas into final choreographic form through selecting and developing action, dynamic, rhythmic and spatial content
• Using choreographic devices, e.g. motif, variation and development, chance, unison, canon, climax
• Forming the overall shape of the dance
• Structuring appropriate relationships between content and form in the expression of a dance idea
• Considering the relationship of dance and music
• Communicating artistic intention and the expression of dance ideas/concepts
• Reflecting and evaluating throughout the choreographic process

Performance Opportunities

In order to develop the student’s practical experience of performing, there will be regular performance opportunities in a variety of settings and to different audiences, including:

• Termly informal sharing’s of work for family and friends
• Contributing to the Youth and Community Dance Platforms
• Performances in Laban’s Bonnie Bird Theatre
• Performing in theatres in and out of London

Complementary Studies

In order to support the dance curriculum, and ensure that each individual encounters a range of artistic and creative opportunities and is prepared for progression into further training, the following will be included either as part of the Saturday programme or in the additional study days or intensive courses:

• Practical workshops in a range of dance/movement genres e.g. African, South Asian, Capoeira, Pas de Deux
• Visits to see professional dance work in a range of genres and a variety of cultural experiences available in London including theatre performances and art exhibitions
• Collaborative music and dance projects with Junior Trinity
• Careers information and advice

André Fabien Francis

While successfully auditioning for the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre: Aspiring Dance Mentoring Scheme, under the direction of Liz Dale – Director of Dance at ISTD – and Hannah Dye – Head of Programming for Breathe Arts and Freelance Producer for English National Ballet – André was scouted to join the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) Programme at The Place: London Contemporary Dance School. After nearly 3 years, André graduated from The Place: CAT accepting a fully funded place at London Studio Centre (LSC). During his time at LSC André took some time out to attend The Ailey School – the training ground for the world renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre – Summer Intensive in 2013, before returning to LSC where in 2014 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Following graduation, André joined the ensemble of The Lion King, Germany where he was trusted with the responsibility of teaching Company Class. On Returning to the UK André joined the West End Production of Wicked in the prestigious Ribbon Boy Track before going on to play Paul in Kiss Me Kate at The Watermill Theatre choreographed by Oti Mabuse – for which André was nominated for the BroadwayWorldUK: Best Supporting Actor Award. Most recently André played Seaweed J Stubbs in Hairspray for The Grange Park: Pimlico Opera.

Having worked in the Arts industry for almost two decades, André has danced, taught, assisted, created work and been mentored both nationally & internationally. Working with world class artists, theatres and organisations including: Richard Alston, Denzil Bailey, Thea Barnes, James Bennett, the Southbank Centre, the Olympic Ceremonies, the Royal Albert Hall, Rebecca Howell, Richard Jones, Paul Liburd, Oti Mabuse, Mandy Montanez, Alex Parker, Joan Peters, Richard Roe, Jane Sanig, Judine Somerville, Christian Storm, the CDMT, Disney Theatrical Productions, Eric Underwood, Antoine Vereecken, Buddy Watkins, Nikki Woollaston and Sadler’s Wells. Which André continuously utilizes to inspire his work in the studio, on stage and off stage.

Charlotte Blinkhorn

Charlotte trained at Central School of Ballet (CSB), London, beginning her professional training at the age of sixteen. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in 2006. Charlotte spent her third year of training touring the UK as part of Ballet Central and performed the solo piece ‘Futility’, choreographed by Sara Matthews, as part of the Ballet Central 2006 tour. She then spent a year with Phoenix Dance Theatre, working with Javier De Frutos and Henrique Rodavalho whilst completing a Post Graduate Diploma.

Charlotte joined Springs Dance Company in 2008, performing and teaching extensively both nationally and internationally for over 8 years. Working with Springs gave Charlotte the opportunity to work with choreographers such as Darren Ellis, Will Tuckett, Vicky Fox and Suzannah McCreight. A highlight of her performing career was performing a solo piece choreographed by Suzannah McCreight at the Royal Albert Hall. Working with Springs Dance Company gave Charlotte a great deal of teaching experience, teaching on the company’s apprenticeship course and annual summer school. Charlotte has led many educational projects and workshops in primary and secondary schools in a range of settings across the UK. Alongside dancing for Springs, Charlotte has performed in projects at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Resolutions, amongst other platforms. Charlotte now teaches across the South East, teaching ballet and contemporary techniques to students from a range of ages and including a professional course.

Damien Anyasi

Damien Anyasi has enjoyed more than 20 years in the dance education industry and has acquired a reputation for being one of the UK’s most celebrated dance teachers.

Graduating from the London Music School in 2001, Damien promotes connection to, and reflection of, sound in his classes, and encourages self-expression.

Damien has undergone training with notable Street, Club and Funk style dance icons including, Elite Force (HipHop), Breed of Motion (Waacking), Mighty Zulu Kingz (Breaking) and more.

Performances include Brit Awards and principle dancer with London’s Big Dance Bus tour, while choreographic credits include The National Theatre and London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.

Damien’s commitment to educating others earned him UK Dance Teacher of the Year (2014) as voted by Dance Today magazine. He has also headlined as a teacher for Unidance resulting in a 5 year tour of Russia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine.

As director of B-Better dance education company, Damien teaches many demographics and lists American School in London, Royal Academy of Dance and British Heart Foundation as former residencies.

In class, you can expect sessions focused on the student’s success with an emphasis on application, authenticity and expression.

Julian Lewis

Julian Lewis graduated from Trinity Laban in 2013 and has since performed across the UK & Europe with EDGE Dance Company, Bowie Live and Ffin Dance. Julian has also performed for Marvel Studios, Pinot! The Musical, Cascade Dance Theatre and the London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony, as well as projects at venues including the Royal Opera House, the Royal Albert Hall for BBC Proms, The Old Vic Tunnels and The Place. Julian is the artistic co-director of Traceworks Dance, with whom he has performed, as well as choreographed and produced a wide variety of professional projects. In 2019, he also completed his masters degree, fulfilling the role of rehearsal director on Celebration Event – a project commemorating Merce Cunningham’s Centennial performed by students at London Contemporary Dance School.

Julian is passionate about blending his professional practice with the wider community, and he regularly delivers classes, workshops and engagement projects for a variety of groups across London and further afield. He teaches ballet and contemporary technique and draws from his experience to maximise his students’ potential in technical precision, musicality and individual artistry and style.

Kasper Cornish

Kasper’s performing work ranges from Ballet Dancer to Wrestler for the BAFTA winning Channel 4 series Faking It, to creating the title role in The Snowman (Birmingham Repertory Theatre, West End & BBC film of the stage show). Other credits include The Phantom of The Opera feature film and national tour, playing the Prince of Transylvania in the National Theatre production of My Fair Lady at Theatre Royal (Drury Lane) and as principal dancer at Glyndebourne Festival Opera. He toured France and Switzerland in Maurice Bejart’s Bolero with Sylvie Guillem. and as a freelance principal artist danced ballet pas de deux as far afield as Japan.

Choreographic work includes: The Classical Brits, Comedy Shuffle (BBC3), Canvas Bag for Tim Minchin, Shakespeare’s Happy Endings (BBC4), The Terence Higgins Trust, Nickelodeon TV, Betty Blue Eyes, My Fair Lady, Degas – A Passion for Perfection (Exhibition on Screen)

He has taught Classical Ballet and Pas de Deux since 1997 for performing arts colleges, conservatoires, international summer schools, dance companies and open classes.

Kasper also writes modern classical music for various ensembles and soloists, including 7 ballet class albums, a clarinet sonata, brass quintet, works for string quartet, an oratorio and recently; a book of musical theatre songs co-written with his dear late friend Elva Makins. www.kaspecornish.bandcamp.com

Lucy Evans

Lucy Evans trained at London Contemporary Dance School and Trinity Laban as part of Transitions Dance Company 2007 gaining an MA in Dance Performance. Whilst in Transitions, Lucy toured work in the UK and Europe by Henri Okguike, Jenni Kivela, Pablo Ventura, Aszure Barton and Cristian Duarte. Her career as a freelance dance artist has included performing with H2dance, La Fura del Baus, Cie. Willi Dorner, e.dance, Aletta Collins, DeDa and the Olympics Closing Ceremony under the direction of Kym Gavin.  She has taught for Trinity Laban, The Royal Ballet School, Urdang, Arts Educational Schools London, London Children’s Ballet, The Academy for Theatre Arts and Darren Ellis Dance.  She received the Lisa Ullmann Travelling Scholarship in 2008 to deliver dance workshops to under privileged children and young people in La Paz, Bolivia. In September 2014, she was awarded a place on Dance UK’s Teacher Mentoring Program. Lucy co-founded her own dance theatre company ‘Anecdotal Evidence’ with William Aitchison in 2013 making work that uses text and movement.  Other choreographic commissions for young people include creating ‘Fair-e-Tale’, a professional work for E.dance that toured schools in the North of England, as well as receiving commissions to create work for young people from U Dance, PrimarySteps and the Unicorn Theatre.

Niamh Morrin

Niamh has successfully completed a BSc in Sports Science and Health and an MSc in Dance Science. Since graduating in 2006, she has worked extensively with dancers. Work includes, lecturing on the BA undergraduate Dance Science module at the University of Wolverhampton, teaching dancers health and injury prevention workshops with Akademi, Centre for Advanced Training (The Place and Trinity Laban), Springs Dance Company apprenticeship scheme and D and B School of Performing Arts.

Niamh’s research interests include; optimal warm-up for dancers and the biomechanical effects of fatigue in dance. She has presented her research internationally at the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science. Her current position as Healthier Dancer Programme Manager at Dance UK ensures that she keeps up to date with current thinking and research within the field.

Niamh is passionate about young dancer’s health – providing young training dancers with sound injury prevention and performance enhancement training and advice means that they enter the professional dancing world with an understanding of their own bodies and a tool kit to keep dancing longer and stronger.

Otis Carr

Otis initially trained in Music at the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology, later moving to the dance strand to study for A Levels and a BTEC National Diploma. During this time, he also trained as a Ballet Black associate, going onto the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, completing his dance studies at the Central School of Ballet. Otis-Cameron is also a 2013 Finzi Scholar commencing intense study in Countertenor voice.

Upon graduation Otis performed with the Red Tape Dance Company as part of the Malta Arts Festival 2008 going on to further engagements with ACE Dance and Music for their Autumn Tour of SKIN and Turandot at the Royal Opera House 2008 & 2017. From 2009-2013 Otis danced with Rambert Dance Company working with choreographers including Henri Oguike, Henrietta Horne, Tim Rushton, Marguerite Donlon, Itzik Galli and Mark Baldwin as well as performing in works by Merce Cunningham and Paul Taylor.

2013-2014 included performing as a Signet and Medium Swan in Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake National and International tour.

2015 marked the start of a recurring working relationship with Barry Kosky and Otto Pichler creating both the Glyndebourne Opera’s Production of Saul and Royal Opera House, Covent Garden production of The Nose with Saul going on to be presented as part of the Glyndebourne 2015 Tour and the Adelaide Festival 2017.  During this time Otis was also engaged with CIE 7273 (Geneva), performing Tarab in Europe, Serbia and the Middle East. Other notable work includes End of Line by Goshka Macuga preforming at the Lowry Gallery 2017.

Otis has presented work as part of the Rambert season of new choreography at The Place Theatre 2011 as well as assisting rehearsals with the Choreographer Mbulelo Ndabeni in subsequent seasons.

Otis is currently engaged with CIE 7273 (Geneva) and is a Technique Lecturer at Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music and Dance.

Poppy Tremlett

Professional dancer and choreographer Poppy Tremlett completed her training at Shockout Arts in Manchester, graduating with a first class BA honours degree in professional and commercial dance. Before this Poppy’s dance training began at a young age, primarily in all Hip Hop styles. She went on to perform and compete around the world, gaining many first place Hip-Hop international titles. Since graduating, Poppy has starred in various music videos, including AITCH- TASTE, is a member of Company Jinks (Ricky Jinks) and worked with some of the UK’s leading commercial dance industry choreographers. 

Founder of Seasonal Sessions UK, Poppy has created an intensive dance training program that runs once a month in Cardiff and Bristol, providing the South West cities of the UK with further opportunities in dance. 

As well as teaching Hip Hop on Trinity Laban’s CAT program, Poppy has taught for higher education programs including the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, London Studio Centre and Shockout Academy. Poppy has recently become an official judge for the British Dance Organisation and 101 dance competitions. 

Committed to dance education, Poppy strives to inspire young people to not only fulfil their passions and potential to perform, but for them to also explore their own artistry and creative choices alongside her own as a choreographer.

Reena Bhattacharjee

Reena trained at the Royal Academy of Dance, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Ballet Education, as well as achieving further qualifications with the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing. After qualifying, she began working as a freelance teacher and sometimes performer – including dancing in the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony. Reena is currently on the regular faculty of many organisations – the Junior School of ballet company Ballet Black, the Royal Academy of Dance at their HQ, the Sylvia Young Theatre School, the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) programme at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, for the Youth Dance Company Artistry Youth Dance, and she and also runs her own school in London (En Pointe). Reena completed a Masters of Fine Arts in Dance Science (with Distinction) at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire in Greenwich in 2022, part of which included a year-long research project looking at the sleep of professional ballet dancers and how this related to their workload and mood states. Since her Masters, she has begun lecturing undergraduate Dance and Teaching degree students in Dance Science, academic studies, and Ballet, for both the Royal Academy of Dance, and Momentum Performing Arts Academy.

Yolanda Newsome

Yolanda Newsome is a Teacher, Choreographer, Lecturer and Artist/Performer. Starting her dance career at IRIE! Dance Theatre studying Contemporary, Ballet, African and Caribbean Dance. Also specialising in HipHop Foundation and Waackin.

As an artist of EMANCIPATION OF EXPRESSIONISM AQA DANCE. Yolanda continues her training in dance company BoyBlue Entertainment and over the years has become part of the Teaching Faculty expanding her role to Rehearsals Director, Teaching Assistant and Assistant Choreographer assisting Kenrick Sandy with adults and the younger generation, Da Bluez and BluePrint.

Show credits include: GOT TO DANCE Semi Finalist 2010; STREET DANCE MOVIE 3D; THANKS TIM (2012 London Olympics); SAN FRANCISCO HIP HOP FESTIVAL; LEGACY: THE RETURN (Danceeast Ipswich/ Stratford Theatre); BREAKIN CONVENTION (Sadlers Wells/ Apollo Theatre, New York), Nike, An Night With BoyBlue, Boadicea Bahrain, EuroVision Opening Liverpool, MOBO Awards, Latitude Festival, Wilderness Festival , BBC TV Series- MOOD, Nostos Festival (Athens) and More

Assistant Choreographer/Rehearsal Director/Team Leader credits include: PROJECT REBEL: BOYBLUE ENTERTAINMENT (Edinburgh International Festival), Guys and Dolls (Talawa Theatre Company), An Night with BoyBlue (Barbican Theatre), Walk with Amaal, Queens Platinum Jubilee.

Artist Credits Include: Sugababes, Dizzee Rascal, Giggs, Emeli Sande, Zara Larson, Roxanne, Jesy Nelson, Black Sherif, Alexandra Burke.

Useful Links for Dance Industry Information, Auditions and Job Opportunities:

• Article 19
• Juice
• Arts Jobs
• People Dancing (Foundation for Community Dance)
• Artsjobsonline.com
• National Dance CATs
• Foundations For Excellence