News

The department introduces Hip Hop to its core training.

Head of Dance Science, Professor Emma Redding, and her team are expanding the practical technique module on Trinity Laban’s BSc Dance Science programme to include Hip Hop. This is to enable students across the programme’s three years to engage practically and academically with a wide range of dance styles and genres and broaden the scope of dance science research.

Joining TL’s Faculty of Dance to deliver the weekly classes to undergraduate Dance Science students is movement director, Hip Hop theatre maker, performer, lecturer, and choreographer Yami Löfvenberg.

An established artist with over 21 years’ experience within Hip Hop Dance and Theatre sectors, Yami has delivered dance theatre workshops across the UK & internationally and is a member of performance collective Hot Brown Honey. She was on the creative choreographic team for the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, is a recipient of the British Council, Arts Council England and Marion North Awards, and is a One Dance UK DAD Trailblazer Fellow.

As a MAKE artist, Yami has delivered training to arts companies on issues concerning unconscious bias and diversity, facilitated by Talawa Theatre. Find out more in Yami’s interview with Ian Abbott for Hip Hop Dance Almanac volume 3.

On her appointment, Yami comments –

“I am very excited to join Trinity Laban and their new chapter in Dance education. It is an honour to be part of such an important change and to provide an in-depth understanding of Black Vernacular Dance history to the students. This module is a new, and brilliant step in the right direction of embracing all the beautiful cultural elements Hip Hop dance brings.”

Head of Dance Science, Emma Redding, comments  –

“We are committed to exploring all dance genres and styles in Dance Science at Trinity Laban and as part of this drive, I’m delighted to welcome Hip Hop theatre maker and performer, Yami Löfvenberg to the BSc Dance Science teaching team.”

This latest development to expand the scope of the BSc training builds on TL’s reputation as an established pioneer in the rapidly expanding field of Dance Science. Known for the world’s first Masters degree in Dance Science, the conservatoire recently hosted an interdisciplinary day on dance science and diversity on 29 January. The event aimed to raise awareness of the range of diversity-related questions that dance science can address and spark new ideas for future research. The range of international speakers included multidisciplinary artist and researcher Kayla McClellan Kayla, TL alum and Founder of Popping for Parkinson’s Simone Sistarelli and founder of Chicago company M.A.D.D. Rhythms Bril Barrett.

Find out more about our Dance Science programmes.