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Mirella Bartrip steps down as Director of Dance

Fri 8 June 2018

Trinity Laban’s Director of Dance, Mirella Bartrip, is retiring at the end of December 2018, after an enormously illustrious 36-year career at the conservatoire.

Mirella joined what was then the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance in 1982 as an hourly paid lecturer, teaching classical ballet, dance technique theory, and teaching studies.

In 1984, she became Programme Leader for the undergraduate dance programme. Over a period of 20 years, she led a series of reviews that refined and shaped the programme into what is recognised internationally as one of the world’s most prestigious dance degrees.

As first Vice Principal (Academic) and then Deputy Director & Dean of Studies, she oversaw the creation and development of a series of flagship Masters programmes, including the UK’s first Masters programme in Dance Science. She was also an important figure in the merger with Trinity College of Music, leading to the formation of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

In 2010, Mirella became Director of Dance at Trinity Laban. Her numerous achievements have included being part of the team that saw Trinity Laban gain its own Taught Degree Awarding Powers, and successfully enter the Research Excellence Framework for the first time. She has gained an international reputation as a dance educator, and is regularly invited to judge competitions and assess dance work across the globe.

Professor Anthony Bowne, Principal of Trinity Laban, paid tribute to her, saying:

“Mirella is a truly magnificent colleague, and a towering figure not only within Trinity Laban, but within the wider world of dance.

She has worked tirelessly to shift external perceptions of dance training, and to persuade and convince all that performance and creative work are equally important in the training of undergraduate students.

Mirella’s success is evidenced in the innovative design of the curricula, in the international high regard with which Trinity Laban is held, and most importantly of all, in the success and employment profiles of Trinity Laban’s Dance graduates, who are thriving across the globe as influential and innovative artistic leaders in every area of dance.

On behalf of them, as well as on a deeply personal level, I thank her for all she has done for Trinity Laban, and to advance the art form we love so dearly.”

Trinity Laban is currently recruiting for a new Director of Dance. For information see our jobs page.