Trinity Laban is committed to the development of music performance science research.
We have led funded projects into musician injury prevention and performance enhancement, undertaken studies into the physiological demands of Musical Theatre and was one of the 3 UK conservatoires to collaborate on a large-scale 4 year project into musicians’ health and wellbeing.
One of the outcomes of Musical Impact was the formation of Healthy Conservatoires, which is a network for members to share news and updates on the health needs of performing artists; access peer support, resources and expertise in creating and maintaining a healthy conservatoire; and engage with the latest research and evidence-informed practice.
Musical Impact: Enhancing The Health And Well-Being of Musicians
Musical Impact was a four-year multi-institutional research project (2013-17) funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. This project was led by Conservatoires UK (CUK) which represents eleven major UK conservatoires and involves scientists from Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University. Principal investigators from the three conservatoires, worked with professional musicians and their employers via the Musicians’ Union (MU) and the Association of British Orchestras (ABO), as well as health practitioners and researchers linked to the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) and the International Health Humanities Network (IHHN).
Additional information about the Musical Impact project can be found on its <a” href=”http://www.musicalimpact.org/”>official website.
Screening and profiling for musicians and dancers
This collaborative project was undertaken by a team of colleagues across Trinity Laban to develop an interdisciplinary screening and profiling programme. A small amount of funding was provided by the Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE) Teaching Quality Enhancement Fund (TQEF) to initiate this project. The aim was to profile and screen music and dance vocational students at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance at varying times during their training programmes and determine effective methodologies for doing so. The project was an interdisciplinary investigation of the physiological, biomechanical and psychological characteristics of musicians and dancers. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed and the extent to which these factors correlate and interact was explored.
Dance Talent Development and Training Research
Trinity Laban Dance Science has undertaken extensive research into dancers in training. We have conducted national research into talent development and identification, developed a comprehensive screening and profiling programme for dancers and created the first dance specific tests of dancer fitness.
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Somatics and Creativity Research
By exploring dance practice in its broadest sense, we examine not only the disciplines of physiology, biomechanics and psychology but also the role of somatic practices and embodied and perceptual processes as alternative, relevant ways of knowing, learning and creating dance. This can necessitate a range of methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches.
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Dance and Arts for Health and Wellbeing Research
As a physical activity and a creative art form, dance can make a vital contribution to the healthy-living agenda. It has the capacity to provide an active, non-competitive form of exercise that can positively affect physical health and psychological wellbeing across different populations in the community.
Student Research
Our current students are undertaking exciting projects within the field of Dance Science. For more information and how to apply to participate, follow the link below:
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Current Department Research
Trinity Laban Dance Science are currently undertaking a range of research and knowledge engagement activity in the area of dance and performance science. For information on current projects including related outputs and resources and how to take part, follow the link below:
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