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Hopefully we will answer your questions here, or in our Dance Summer School Information Pack.

Please contact dancesummerschool@trinitylaban.ac.uk with any further queries.

Pre-Booking Questions

How old do you have to be in order to take part in the Dance Summer School?

Anyone aged 16 years+ is welcome to take part in the Dance Summer School. With a broad programme that can be tailored to meet different needs, we have adults of all ages, backgrounds and abilities taking part.

If you are under 16 years old on the first day of the course you won’t be able to attend this year, but we hope you will join us at a Dance Summer School in the future.

Do I need previous dance experience to be able to take part?

Dance Summer School is an intensive two-week course, and therefore it is not suitable for complete beginners, or those who have never danced before. We require participants to have had some previous experience, although our level 1 teachers will take the time to cover the essential basics of the technique and build your confidence over the 10 days. Please see our Class Levels page for more information.

Which level is best for me?

We offer classes in a variety of levels for different abilities. Level 1 is for those with limited or no experience of the specific technique/style, Level 2 for those with considerable knowledge, and Level 3 for those who are undertaking, considering, or have completed full-time dance training. We also offer Open Level sessions that enable a mixed group of participants to work together, and our experienced teachers will adapt the material to meet the ability levels of those in the session, meaning you can work at your own pace.  For a more detailed guide please see our Class Levels page.

Is it possible to attend for one week?

Trinity Laban’s Dance Summer School is only offered as a two-week programme. We are unable to offer a one-week option.

If you only have one week to spare, we would recommend our choreology-focused dance course How Movement Works or our Musical Theatre Summer School.

Can you let me know about accessibility?

The Laban Building is fully accessible; all sessions are open to people with disabilities. If you have any specific requirements, it is helpful if you discuss them with us beforehand. Please contact us on 020 8305 9400.

Does the course cater for international students?

Absolutely! Participants come from all over the world to take part in the Dance Summer School at Trinity Laban; in the past we’ve had people from more than 34 countries attending the two-week course. We ask that participants have a good standard of spoken English, as this is the language sessions will be delivered in.

How many people might there be in a session?

Class sizes vary depending on the size of the studio spaces. We have a maximum of 28 participants in our sessions.

I am not sure what’s right for me. Can I have a taster session? How do I put myself in the right level?

There’s no audition, and we do not offer taster sessions during the Dance Summer School. Please read the class descriptions and levels carefully before choosing your classes, and contact us if you are unsure what might be right for you at the booking stage. We are happy to advise you.

What if I am not happy with my timetable selections?

We cannot accommodate session changes requests in advance of Dance Summer School starting.

Once Dance Summer School has started, we may be able to accommodate class swaps requested on or before the first Wednesday of the course.  However, please note this is not always possible due to studio capacity. Therefore, please carefully consider your class choices, ensuring you read through all class descriptions and level information, before choosing your timetable.

How much does it cost?

The Dance Summer School course fee for 2024 is £725, with the option to split the full cost across two instalments. There is an early bird fee option of £550 if booked before Friday 19 April.

There is also the option to purchase single room accommodation at the McMillan Student Village, at an additional cost of £650 for 13 nights. You can also pay this fee in 2 instalments.

We recommend booking as early as possible, as there are a limited number of rooms available.

When and where can I pay?

Booking is now open via our online shop. You can sign up to our Mailing List to stay up to date with booking availability.

Please note that all fees are non-refundable, unless the course is cancelled by Trinity Laban.

How early do I need to book?

We recommend booking as early as possible so that you get your first choice classes.

What about younger participants from 16-18 years old?

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance has a child protection policy to ensure the safety of all children we come into contact with. This policy and its codes and conditions can be seen at any time on request. Under 18’s will have a specific staff contact during the Summer School but please note that Trinity Laban is not and does not accept responsibility as ‘in loco parentis’ i.e. it is not in the same position as a parent and does not accept that level of responsibility for participants.

Is there financial support available for this course?

It can be hard to get financial support to help you to participate in the Dance Summer School as it is a short course and not an accredited programme.

UK-based dance teachers may be eligible to apply for a bursary. Find out more on our bursaries page.

Trinity Laban does not offer any other form of financial support for this course. We do offer this advice for your research:

  • It may be useful to approach your local council or borough’s art or culture department to find out if they have any funding available to support students in the arts.
  • If you are 16 – 18 years old, some schools have a pocket of money for development and could be worth contacting about support for the Dance Summer School.
  • To strengthen requests for financial support and provide a personal touch, it is beneficial to provide a concise statement about the individual student, including why you are interested in dance, what you will get out of the Dance Summer School, and why the extra funding would be of use to your training.

Should I book my flights straight away?

We recommend that you do not book any flights or additional accommodation until you have received the email from Trinity Laban confirming your place on the course. Please note, in the unlikely event that Trinity Laban cancels the Dance Summer School, we are only able to refund course fees and fees for accommodation booked through our Online Shop. We are not able to offer any refund/compensation for travel or other accommodation costs incurred.

Can I start the summer school later in the week than the first Monday?

We strongly advise that participants arrange to be in London and at Trinity Laban from the first day of the course to get the maximum benefit from this programme. Due to the intensive nature of the sessions, participants would risk missing essential introductory work in sessions at the beginning by arriving after the first day.

Is it ok to leave the course and accommodation early?

Some international participants do have to leave early to catch a flight during the last day of the course, but we recommend that you time your journeys so that you don’t miss anything! Many sessions will share their work in an informal sharing on the last Thursday or Friday and it’s a great chance to perform sequences and/or choreography you’ve been working on and to see what everyone else has been up to too.

When will I receive full information regarding the course?

Bookings are taken through our Online Shop. An automated booking confirmation email is generated and sent to you to confirm your payment and your session selections. You can download a copy of the Dance Summer School Information Pack from our Booking Information page. This includes everything you need to know before the start of the course.

We will be in touch with Dance Summer School participants in July 2024 with any additional information.

My payment has been processed; does this mean that the course will definitely go ahead?

Due to the high number of bookings that we receive, we process payment upon receipt of each booking. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details in the case that the course is cancelled.

What Covid-security measures are in place?

Throughout the pandemic we have followed UK Government guidance to ensure that our buildings are Covid secure and that our community felt safe.

With the lifting of all Covid restrictions in February 2022, you are no longer required to regularly take a lateral flow test before visiting one of our buildings, take a temperature reading as you enter campus, or wear a face covering on campus.

We will continue to clean our buildings thoroughly, encourage everyone to wash and sanitise their hands (providing hand sanitiser throughout our campus) and ensure that spaces are well ventilated.

We will continually monitor and assess COVID-19 guidance and measures that would be relevant to the Summer School in the lead up to and during the course. We will inform all participants prior to the course if any procedures relating to COVID-19 will be put in place for the Summer School.

What if I experience symptoms of Covid-19?

If you begin to experience COVID-19 symptoms, please follow the UK Government’s guidance and do not attend activities at Trinity Laban.

Please note, Trinity Laban is unable to offer any refunds for classes missed due to illness or injury.

 

 

During the Dance Summer School

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in, such as tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt with extra layers for warmth. For ballet, we recommend you wear fitted clothing so that your teacher can check your alignment. You should expect to do all sessions in bare feet, except ballet and hip-hop. For ballet, you should wear soft ballet shoes if you have them, but socks would be a good alternative at the barre for the Level 1 session if you are new to ballet. We do not offer pointe work as part of our ballet classes. For Flying Low, it is advisable to wear long sleeves and long leg trousers, to facilitate a smoother transition from floor to standing and gliding along the floor. For hip-hop, please wear trainers with non-marking soles. To ensure your safety and the safety of others, we ask that you don’t wear jewellery in the studio.

Is lunch or dinner provided for students?

No – food is not included but can be purchased at the Laban Building Café or a number of shops or restaurants in the local area. Participants are welcome to bring their own food to the building too.

What is your policy for late-comers to sessions?

For health and safety reasons, participants who arrive later than 15 minutes after the start of each session may be permitted to watch the session but not take part. This is because they will have missed the essential warm up and introduction to the session, which is vital in the prevention of injuries to participants.

How do I get to the Laban Building?

All activities during the Dance Summer School are located at the Laban Building, Creekside, London, SE8 3DZ. For information on where to find us, please follow this link: Directions to the Laban Building.

Can visitors or parents watch the Dance Summer School sessions/sharings?

Visitors, including parents, are not permitted to watch sessions, sharings, or any of the other Dance Summer School activity. All visitors to the Laban Building must remain in the public areas, i.e. the cafe, and will not be permitted to pass the security barriers.

Will there be an award for students?

The course is not accredited, but we can provide an electronic Certificate of Attendance on request which can be emailed to you.

 

 

Accommodation Questions

How many nights does the accommodation booking include?

The accommodation booking is for 13 nights in total: Check-in is the Sunday before the course, and check-out is the morning of  the Saturday after the course.

When can I check in and out?

Supported check in is from 14.00 -17.00 on Sunday 28 July. Checkout is before 10.00 on Saturday 10 August.

What is included within the accommodation fee?

  • The accommodation comprises of a single room with a bed, wardrobe and study desk. Each room has ensuite facilities, including a shower, toilet and sink.
  • Each room is on a corridor with the shared use of a fully fitted shared kitchen with fridge, oven, and microwave. The accommodation is self-catering; food is not included. Participants may also use the café facilities at the Laban Building.
  • Bedding, towels and kitchen utensils are provided; bedding and towels will be changed once a week. You may wish to bring an extra towel to use in the showers at the Laban Building.
  • There are washing machines and drying facilities located at the McMillan Student Village. Please contact the Reception at McMillan Student Village for further information.

Where is the accommodation?

The McMillan Student Village, which is a 5-minute walk from the Laban Building.

Will the students have their own rooms?

Yes, students stay in single ensuite accommodation during the Dance Summer School.

How old do you have to be to stay in the Accommodation?

Participants must be aged 16 years+ to attend the Dance Summer School. All of our participants are welcome to book a room at the McMillan Student Village through Trinity Laban, subject to availability.

Will students be accompanied by an adult whilst they are staying at the accommodation?

A Trinity Laban assistant will stay with the Dance Summer School participants at the McMillan Student Village. The Dance Summer School Assistant is there to support the safety and wellbeing of all participants in the evenings and overnight at the accommodation, but they are not acting in loco parentis. They will reside in the accommodation with the students for the full duration of the Dance Summer School. Students are encouraged to go to the Dance Summer School Assistant with any concerns, at any time.

Can I share a room with my friend? Can parents stay at the accommodation with the students?

No; the rooms are single occupancy, although you may request a room next to a friend also taking the course. Please email dancesummerschool@trinitylaban.ac.uk with your request once you and your friend/s have made your bookings for the course and accommodation.

What will the students do during the evenings?

We offer a free programme of additional activities during the two weeks, which may include social events, Trinity Laban student performances, and lunchtime or evening workshops and talks. Participants are free to choose whether they take part in the activities on offer or make their own arrangements in the evenings. There are no activities scheduled at the weekend.

To find out what other opportunities are available in the local area please see Visit Greenwich, or explore some of what London has to offer at Visit London

Can the students stay additional nights, before the course starts or after it ends?

We cannot accommodate any changes to the accommodation booking through Trinity Laban. Participants will need to contact McMillan Student Village directly about additional nights, but please be aware that this may not be possible. The McMillan Student Village have a lot of group bookings during the summer months and availability will be limited.

You can find alternative accommodation in the local area at Visit Greenwich.

Where can I stay if I don’t have a room at the McMillan Student Village?

For information about accommodation in the local area please see Visit Greenwich.