Ebony Robinson is empowering the younger generation through dance

Ebony Robinson began her artistic journey with commercial and hip-hop dance. She gained in-depth understanding and performance experience in a broad range of dance styles – including ballet, jazz, and contemporary – during her time at Rubicon Dance College and Trinity Laban. While completing her undergraduate degree in Contemporary Dance at Trinity Laban, Ebony took part in training with the Public Engagement team and assisted with different classes and projects, such as Hope 4 Justice. “The project was incredible,” she remembers. “Working on it was very exciting and insightful, as many artists came into sessions and led parts of the performance. It was amazing to see the young people work different forms of stimulus and how they took it on in such a mature manner. They all looked like true professionals. Due to the theme of the project, there was a deep empathy that was felt in the rehearsals, which carried through the performances. It was just really beautiful to see.”

As a London-based dance artist, performer, and facilitator, her practice now sits at the intersection of hip hop, contemporary dance, and youth empowerment. Ebony is passionate about promoting diversity in dance and creating positive learning environments for growth and art to be shared. In 2022, she received the Innovation Award for her festival Diversity in Space and Styles. “The main idea behind my project was to create a platform for artists to showcase their work to an audience and for those artists to be paid for their work. The aim was to collaborate with musicians, dance artists, and visual artists under one roof to create something for all individuals to connect with. I wanted there to be something for everyone, creating a space so diverse in culture, disciplines, and art.”

When leading, my goal is to open new doors…

Ebony’s work spans vibrant stage performances, educational outreach, and community engagement. She has performed nationally and internationally, with credits including Breakin’ Convention, Royal Albert Hall, and the Royal Opera House, working with an incredible mix of artists, from Marcus Jarrell Williams to Little Simz. Recently touring Go, Grandad Go! with DHW Company, Ebony has brought intergenerational storytelling to major UK festivals. Her connection to Trinity Laban remains strong, as she is the lead teaching artist for Bellingham Dances (our free creative street dance class for young people aged 12-18). As a dance practitioner, she is passionate about making movement accessible and empowering for all.

What does a typical session at Bellingham Dances look like? Ebony takes us through step by step. “To begin the class, we have a check in / circle time where we express how we are feeling for the session. We will then play a quick game, which leads into our warm up. Afterwards, we will do some exercises focusing in mostly on hip hop technique and groove. The freedom to switch things up is there too, as we’ve sometimes fused styles such as contemporary into our technique part of the session.

“We’ll then move onto choreography, where I will teach some choreo and I always love to encourage creativity. I’ll put the young people into groups and give them a creative task with the movement. Finally, we will perform what we have done.”

Ebony also delivers workshops and projects for schools and community groups. She’s particularly involved in teaching Trinity Laban’s Dance for Wellbeing classes in Greenwich. Her dance ethos is consistently grounded in authenticity and care. “I ensure participants are showered with encouragement every step of the way when I am assisting the class, checking everyone’s needs are seen to, giving alternatives to movement, and seeing opportunities for participants to contribute to the class.

“When leading, my goal is to open new doors and showcase something people may have never thought of or experienced before. I see my part of the class as an experiment in challenging ideas and exploration of movement. We often close our eyes and use our imagination. I guide the class through using different body parts and connecting them to the surrounding environment. In contrast, we will challenge connections with each other, prompting group improvisation and partner improvisation.”

Currently, Ebony continues her teaching and performing journey, working with companies that align with her ethics as a creative. She continues pushing her producing and directing skills, while aiming to recreate Diversity In space and styles again in a different capacity. Ebony is an artist that continues to lead the artistic conversation, honing her own creative skills while inspiring the younger generation.