Class Descriptions

Session 1 Classes

African Contemporary – Level 1 – Nii Kwartey Owoo

We’ll explore a comprehensive introduction to African dance style and technique at a moderate pace. You’ll develop your understanding of

• African dance techniques
• Rhythmic Sensitivity
• The demands and function of African dance
• Counter rhythms in the way the body works
• Polyrhythm and drum language

 

Hip-hop Technique – Level 1 – Boy Blue Company Artist

Class description to follow.

 

Ballet – Level 1 – Kasper Cornish

You’ll be introduced to classical ballet terminology, placement, lines and movements. We’ll investigate the origins and evolution of ballet through the relationships of movement, rhythm, phrasing and tempo. You’ll develop your sense of physical freedom and momentum through repetition and performance, with classes designed to be enjoyable and accessible.

 

Contemporary – Level 2 – Artist TBA

Class description to follow.

 

Ballet – Level 2 – Thick & Tight Artist – Daniel Hay-Gordon

An intermediate level ballet class designed to improve your technique, musicality, expression and virtuosity but above all, nurture your appreciation of the form. Trained in Cecchetti and the RAD, Daniel has taught ballet and contemporary internationally for professional companies and student.

 

Contemporary – Level 3 – Company Wayne McGregor Artists

Rebecca Bassett-Graham

Drawing on discoveries and experiences throughout her career, Rebecca’s class incorporates aspects of contemporary techniques such as Cunningham and release, with the use of floor work. The class will focus on alignment, coordination, use of weight and a strong sense of centre within the freedom of movement.

Eileih Muir

This will be a high energy, athletically demanding class with a focus on expansion and physical freedom. We will explore complex phrases that challenge both your mind and your physicality, whilst encouraging the development of individual artistry throughout.

 

Session 2 Classes

Contemporary – Level 1 – Artist TBA

Class description to follow.

 

African Contemporary – Level 2 – Nii Kwartey Owoo

We’ll explore both the embodied and conceptual understanding of African dance techniques and performance styles. You’ll develop your understanding of the relationship between techniques, and the nuances inherent in African dance styles. You’ll learn how to demonstrate advanced technical and interpretive skills with stylistic accuracy.

 

Hip-hop Technique –Level 2 – Boy Blue Company Artist

Class description to follow.

 

Ballet – Level 2 – Kasper Cornish

We’ll look further into the sequencing of instructions to underpin the strength and security of classical ballet turns, jumps and adage. We’ll investigate some advanced technical enchainments with less familiar rhythmical frameworks. You’ll develop your stamina and explore techniques to adapt physically to the more demanding class work based on repertoire. Classes are balanced with focus on both physical and performance technique.

 

Contemporary- Level 3 (Release based) – Thick & Tight Artist – Edd Arnold

During the class we will mobilise the body through sensation and breath, searching for lines of connection through the tissue and anatomical structure. Layering these connections to explore how they can open new movement pathways whilst offering a fresh approach to our individual movement language.

 

Ballet – Level 3 – Company Wayne McGregor Artist

Rebecca Basset-Graham

This classical technique class will focus on alignment, balance, coordination and strength. As well as expanding your technical knowledge, you will also develop a greater awareness of body in relationship to space whilst moving with musicality, exploring a deeper level of artistry.

Eileih Muir

Using the foundations of classical technique, we will work together to build strength, stability and confidence throughout each combination. The class will have a focus on musicality and fluidity, whilst encouraging individual exploration and expression.

 

Session 3 Classes

Creative – Open Level – Boy Blue Company Artist

Class description to follow.

 

Creative – Open Level – Company Wayne McGregor Artist

This class will be led by Company Wayne McGregor dancers and is an opportunity to experience and explore creative tasks taken from Wayne McGregor’s choreographic practice.

 

Flying Low – Open Level – Ben McEwen

We’ll be taking a look at floorwork, through the material of Flying Low. This is a technique initiated by David Zambrano that uses fundamental movement patterns and principles (such as spiralling movements that alternate between expansion and cohesion) to dance our whole selves in, out and along the floor with speed, efficiency and pleasure. We’ll take a detailed look at the material, breaking it down to find functions that work for each of us, then we’ll put it back together for some full-bodied dancing.

We highly recommend wearing long trousers (within reason) and covered shoulders, to avoid first-day friction burns.

 

Jazz Technique – Open Level – Blue Makwana (Week 1)

Class description to follow.

 

Jazz Technique – Open Level – Artist TBA (Week 2)

Class description to follow.

 

Tanztheater – Open level – Adrian Look

We’ll embody the Tanztheater philosophy by using authenticity and depth to combine technique and improvisation into one unique artform.

Our goal during the classes will be to use the technique to express an emotional state. Through exploring your creativity, strength and artistry you’ll visualise your emotional state, let yourself go and lose yourself in dance to experience your art on a deeper level.

 

Creative – Open Level – Thick & Tight Company (Daniel Hay-Gordon & Eleanor Perry)

Thick & Tight have developed many different systems, tools and rules in the way they create work collaboratively. Discover these and create your own through practical tasks and open-discussions. A great class for those who wish to choreograph but also for those wanting to learn more about how to work with task-based choreographers.

 

Session 4 Classes

Repertoire – Open Level – Boy Blue Company Artist

Class description to follow.

 

Repertoire – Open Level – Company Wayne McGregor Artist

This class will be led by Company Wayne McGregor dancers. You’ll learn selected phrases from a catalogue of McGregor’s expansive repertoire.

 

Flying Low – Open Level – Ben McEwen

We’ll be taking a look at floorwork, through the material of Flying Low. This is a technique initiated by David Zambrano that uses fundamental movement patterns and principles (such as spiralling movements that alternate between expansion and cohesion) to dance our whole selves in, out and along the floor with speed, efficiency and pleasure. We’ll take a detailed look at the material, breaking it down to find functions that work for each of us, then we’ll put it back together for some full-bodied dancing.

We highly recommend wearing long trousers (within reason) and covered shoulders, to avoid first-day friction burns.

 

Jazz Repertoire – Open Level – Blue Makwana (Week 1)

Class description to follow.

 

Jazz Repertoire – Open Level – Artist TBA (Week 2)

Class description to follow.

 

Tanztheater – Open level – Adrian Look

We’ll embody the Tanztheater philosophy by using authenticity and depth to combine technique and improvisation into one unique artform.

Our goal during the classes will be to use the technique to express an emotional state. Through exploring your creativity, strength and artistry you’ll visualise your emotional state, let yourself go and lose yourself in dance to experience your art on a deeper level.

 

Repertoire – Open Level – Thick & Tight Company (Daniel Hay-Gordon & Eleanor Perry)

Thick & Tight will teach material from their repertoire which combines dance, mime, lip-syncing, acting and satire. Learn the art of becoming a character onstage, from Marilyn Monroe to Andy Warhol; who will you transform into from one day to the next? Technically challenging and precise in form but always fun and exciting. A class designed for dancers who want to perform and entertain.