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Alumni Roundup July 2018

Thu 26 July 2018

Our monthly roundup of some of the successes for Trinity Laban alumni.

July was another fantastic month for music alumni.

It was announced that James Newby is a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist 2018-20, a prestigious scheme that nurtures emerging international talent. He also made his “outstanding debut” as the Count Almaviva in Nevil Holt Opera’s inaugural Le Nozze di Figaro. The Guardian praised the award-winning baritone’s “golden tone” and acting ability.

Alumnus Duncan Ward was one of three conductors, alongside Sir Simon Rattle, leading the London Symphony Orchestra in their immersive performance of Stockhausen’s epic masterwork Gruppen für drei Orchester (1958). The performance, in the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall, earned a 5-star review from The Guardian.

Alumnus and pianist Phillip Leslie was named Park Lane Group Young Artist for 2018/19, a prestigious scheme that promotes talented young musicians. He will perform in a series of engagements including a concert at the Purcell Room at London’s Southbank Centre in January 2019.

Songwriter and pianist Reuben James has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music. After previously forging a successful co-writing partnership with Sam Smith, performing on his global tours and co-writing two tracks on his recent album including title track The Thrill Of It All, James now takes centre stage and will release his own material.

Vocal alumnus Rebecca Leggett won Coro Nuovo Young Musician 2018/19. The mezzo-soprano, who completed her BMus this summer, was awarded a £1000 first prize bursary to support her post-graduate studies and performance opportunities with the Sussex-based Coro Nuovo choir.

After an extensive nationwide search, vocal ensemble G4 announced that alumnus Lewis Raines will be their latest member and will debut with the quartet in September as they commence their UK tour.

Several jazz alumni appeared at the Love Supreme Festival in Sussex, where The Guardian’s 4 star review heralded Ezra Collective (featuring alumni Joe Armon-Jones, Daniel Casimir, and Femi Koleoso) as “one of the best live bands around”, and singled out Nubya Garcia, winner of the Times Breakthrough Act of the year at the Sky Arts Awards 2018, as “a surefire star-in-waiting”.  Ezra Collective were also invited to perform at the celebration for Quincy Jones’ 85th birthday at Montreux Jazz Festival.

Oscar Jerome released jazzy and tropical new single ‘Do You Really’ and spoke to INDIE Magazine about his path into music, the London Jazz scene and musical influences. 

Also launching an album this month, alumnus and virtuosic trumpeter Mark Kavuma. Kavuma, launched at Ghost Notes on 19 July, is an album of original contemporary jazz with historical roots planted deep in American post-bop, blues and African rhythms. It brings together some of the leading young jazz musicians on the UK jazz scene today including fellow alumni Ruben Fox on saxophone, Artie Zaitz on guitar, Reuben James on piano and Conor Chaplin on bass.

At the end of the month, Conor Chaplin also performed with the Nick Costley-White Quartet at PizzaExpress Live (Soho) for the launch of album Detour Ahead.

This July, Countertenor Adrien Mastrosimone performed his sell-out hit ‘Une Vie En Rose’ at Buxton Festival Fringe.

Alumnus Lawrence Michalowski is the Musical Arranger for new musical ‘Give My Regards To Broadway’. The work received its world premiere at Upstairs At The Gatehouse​ this month.

Susan Garrett was featured in ISM Magazine for her work developing Singing and Reminiscence Programmes and training care staff to bring singing to people who have dementia.

Dance alumni also enjoy success this month.

Dance Theatre graduate and Trinity Laban’s Head of Dance Science, Dr Emma Redding was featured in The Guardian’s article examining the impact of training and research0informed practise on injury prevention for professional dancers.

Alumni Joss Arnott and Theo Tj Lowe were both back at Trinity Laban choreographing commissioned work for our final year BA dance students in their end of year showcase at the beginning of the month. The students also performed works by alumni Rahel Vonmoos and Melanie Clark.

On 25 July alumnus and dance artist Alice White presented her new work Overexposed, performed by fellow alumni Finetta Mikolajska and Cecilia Watts, as part of Victoria and Albert Museum’s Friday Late. The piece was produced in collaboration with scenographer Dallas Wexler, and in partnership with Woman SRSLY, a performance platform and network for female identified and socialised female artists.

Great Exhibition of the North – the largest event in the UK this year – commissioned Vanessa Grasse‘s project MESH, produced by Yorkshire Dance and Dance City. Having performed at the exhibition’s opening, further performance take place in August as well as performances at Freedom Festival Hull and Light Night Leeds.

As part of the Horniman Museum and Gardens’ late night opening, which includes guided tours of the newly re-opened World Gallery as well as music and food, dance alumnus Jean Abreu re-imagined his latest work Solo for Two in a special and exclusive performance.

Congratulations to Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures who were not only nominated for Outstanding Production in The New York Dance and Performance Awards/ The Bessies 2018 for The Red Shoes, but have also been awarded the Creative Green Pioneer Award in the second annual Creative Green Awards. This follows their work with Julie’s Bicycle to develop policies and embed good practice around environmental sustainability. The collaboration continues with a pilot for a new Creative Green certification for the touring sector.

Also nominated for Outstanding Production in this year’s Bessies is Jonathan Gonzalez’s ZERO. The awards ceremony will be held later this year on 8 October in New York.

Alumnus Eleanor Perry presented award winning triple bill as part of dance duo Thick & Tight, alongside Daniel Hay-Gorden, at Wilton’s Music Hall. The work ‘brings famous faces to life to reveal the yearnings and imperfections of human nature’.

It is with great sadness that we share the news that alumnus Jamie Watton has passed away. He leaves behind an incredible legacy through his inspirational work at South East Dance.

Don’t miss

  • Laura Jurd’s new work The Earth Keeps Spinning, commissioned by the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, will receive its world premiere at the BBC Proms on 16 August.  More info.
  • Alumnus Lucy Elston directs Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel for Opera In The Meantime 24, 26, 29 & 31 August. The production features alumni Laurence Panter, Verity Bramson, Katy Huntley, Deborah Holborn, Jasmine Adrian Dawson, Marrianne Town Smith and Livy Lewis. More info.
  • This August, Internationale Tanzmesse Nrw features choreographic work by several dance alumni including Oona Doherty, Chang-ho Shin, Jean Abreu, Daniel Yeung and Simone Mousset. More info.
  • Emma Watkinson performing Constance in The Sorcerer and Leila in Iolanthe at the 25th International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Harrogate this August. More info.
  • Per Bach Nissen playing the role of Osmin in Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail at Musik & Theater Saar this summer, beginning 17 August. More info and book.
  • John Savournin playing Angelotti in Opera North’s production of Puccini’s dramatic Tosca from 16 September. More info and book.