News

A huge congratulations to all of our students who graduated last term. Over 340 students from our Music, Dance and Musical Theatre faculties celebrated their talent, creativity, and hard work at TL’s Graduation Ceremonies on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 December 2022.

 

We were also delighted to award a number of Honorary Fellowships to outstanding industry professionals and members of the TL community: Dr Roger Wolman, NHS Consultant in Rheumatology and Sport & Exercise Medicine, Stine Nilsen and Pedro Machado, TL alumni and former Co-artistic Directors of Candoco Dance Company, Sarah Kemp, Chief Executive of Trinity College London for the past 14 years, and Gilles Peterson, established BBC Radio broadcaster, DJ and record executive. 

The Honorary Fellows were nominated for incredible achievements throughout their careers. Dr Roger Wolman for dedicating his time to treating and supporting injured dancers and for his pioneering research into dance injuries, Gilles Peterson for championing new music, particularly jazz, and supporting and promoting young artists, Stine Nilsen and Pedro Machad for pushing the boundaries of how dance is viewed and  increasing accessibility and diversity within the artform, and Sarah Kemp for the commitment and devotion to Trinity College London during her time as CEO from 2008 to 2021.

This year’s Honorary Fellowships were presented by Professor Anthony Bowne, TL’s Principal, and Havilland Willshire, TL’s Director of Music.

A special thank you goes to our inspiring guests of honour, Luca Silvestrini, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the award-winning company, Protein Dance, and Sam Jackson, TL Governor and Executive Vice President, Global Classics and Jazz at Universal Music Group.  

From L to R: Pedro Machado, Professor Anthony Bowne, Stine Nilsen, Dr Roger Wolman, Alan Davey CBE and Luca Silvestrini.

From L to R – Top step: Sam Jackson and Geoffrey Copeland. Bottom step: Gilles Peterson, Sarah Kemp, Professor Anthony Bowne and Havilland Willshire.

Gilles Peterson eloquently expressed what the award meant to him: “It’s a huge career highlight for me being made a Fellow of Trinity, following in the illustrious footsteps of legends such as Ravi Shankar and Norma Winstone. And the first DJ to get a Fellowship too – truly honoured.” 

On receiving their award, TL alumni and former Co-artistic Directors of Candoco Dance Company Stine Nilsen and Pedro Machado commented: “We are very grateful for receiving the honorary fellowship from Trinity Laban, where we met and became friends in 1993, and value it as an acknowledgement of the work we did together with an amazing team of artists and colleagues at Candoco Dance Company during our time as Artistic Co-Directors 2007-2017.”  

Even though both days saw Trinity Laban facing extreme weather conditions and train strikes, the event was an incredible success and a special day to be treasured by all participants, staff, students, and family members.   

MA Creative Practice student, Lauren Auyeung, joyfully said on graduating: “I’m excited to now be in charge of my own schedule, taking the reins of my art and and making exciting new connections.”

Image credits: JK Photography