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London Contemporary Dance School Prospectus
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Third year BA students rehearsing gojubi, choreographed by Janice Garrett ??????????
CONTENTS
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A Message from the Director
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The Place
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Conservatoire for Dance and Drama
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Undergraduate Programme
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Postgraduate Programme
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Application and Audition, Equal Opportunities and Access
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Fees and Financial Support
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Our History
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Our Graduates
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Our Staff
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Ten Reasons to Join LCDS
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“ Training to be a dancer is hard and intense work, both exhilarating and exhausting. If you truly commit yourself to its rigours, however, and refuse to waver in your passion, London Contemporary Dance School will change your life. It changed mine. I still vividly remember the inspirational teachers whom I to this day regard with huge gratitude. In three short years we went through a lot together – it’s a time in your life you never forget, I promise you.” Richard Alston CBE, Artistic Director of The Place and a student of London Contemporary Dance School, 1967-70
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At London Contemporary Dance School, we’ve been nurturing dance artists of the highest artistic quality and technical standard for over 40 years. We’re very proud of our students, and as you read this prospectus, you’ll hear from some of them in more detail. The following pages offer a glimpse of life within the School and I hope will show you why you’ll want to become a part of it.
LCDS Senior Management Team (L-R): Dr Mary Evelyn, Simon O’Shea, David Steele, Professor Veronica Lewis
Training at London Contemporary Dance School requires a huge amount of hard work. In exchange for your commitment, we will offer you the chance to explore fully your relationship with the art form of dance, and gain the ideal preparation for a career as a dance artist. We are also dedicated to making our training and education accessible to all, offering an extensive programme of bursaries and fee discounts to ensure that cost does not prevent the most talented young artists from being part of our school. London Contemporary Dance School is part of The Place and a founding affiliate of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama, and our degree programmes are validated by the University of Kent. It is a small school which can focus your individual development, but part of larger networks through which our students join a bigger performing arts and educational community. We begin auditioning for each year’s intake in December, and we encourage everyone to apply as
early as possible, as auditions are offered on a first come, first served basis. We have approximately 40 undergraduate places and 40 postgraduate places available, so gaining a place at the School can be very competitive. To discover more about what your life could be like at London Contemporary Dance School, take a look at our website – www.lcds.ac.uk – or you can get in touch with us and our current students on Facebook and Twitter. We present over 30 student performances each year, so there are lots of opportunities for you to experience the quality of work that is created here. We’ll also happily arrange a visit for you. I hope you enjoy learning about our school, and I look forward to welcoming you here soon.
Professor Veronica Lewis Director, London Contemporary Dance School
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The Place XXX
“ The Place is a fabulous building to be working in, and it has such a great location: central London is pure inspiration. To me, coming from South Africa, London Contemporary Dance School was like another world. I would honestly say that every single day of my training was influential on my future career direction� rthur Pita, dancer A with New Adventures and Olivier Award-nominated choreographer
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The Place www.theplace.org.uk London Contemporary Dance School is part of The Place, the UK’s premier centre for dance, which unites training, creation, performance and participation in a single organisation dedicated to discovering “where dance is going next”. The Place’s unique range of activities makes it a springboard for dance artists at all stages of their development, and an exhilarating and inspirational environment in which to explore dance. As a student at The Place you will be able to make the most of its unrivalled activities, opportunities and spirit. You will work alongside professional dance artists, including those of The Place’s Richard Alston Dance Company. The Place provides support and advice to contemporary dance professionals and organises daily professional classes, choreographic research programmes and performance opportunities. By keeping closely in touch with a wide range of dancers and choreographers, The Place is an ideal environment to prepare for professional life as a dance artist. The Robin Howard Dance Theatre at The Place presents around 150 contemporary dance performances a year. It is Britain’s busiest dance
venue with an international reputation for championing cutting edge dance. Students have the opportunity to perform in the theatre during their time at the School and are also entitled to discounted tickets for all performances. The Place offers an unmatched range of dance activity for children and young people from age five upwards, including three youth dance companies. For those thinking about a career in dance, we provide clear progression through our Centre for Advanced Training (CAT): a prevocational training scheme that nurtures young people aged 10–18 from across the south of England. The Place plays a significant role in the local community, with specially devised projects designed to include
those who are disadvantaged, and we have pioneered radical new approaches to the teaching of dance in primary schools. The Place has a café which is open all day, serving homemade meals, snacks and drinks at affordable prices. It has a bustling, relaxed environment where students and professional artists come together to refuel. The Place gives students the experience of a professional environment through their daily lives at LCDS. There are also opportunities for students to gain experience outside School hours as teaching assistants for the Centre for Advanced Training scheme, front of house staff, School ambassadors and audition assistants.
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Conservatoire for Dance and Drama www.cdd.ac.uk London Contemporary Dance School is a founding affiliate of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama, established to secure the future of professional training in dance, drama and circus arts in England. The Conservatoire for Dance and Drama has eight affiliates which are all small, specialist institutions offering some of the best performing arts training and education to be found in the world. There are six affiliate schools in London, one in Bristol and one in Leeds. They are: • Bristol Old Vic Theatre School • Central School of Ballet • Circus Space • London Academy of Musical and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) • London Contemporary Dance School • Northern School of Contemporary Dance • Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance • Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) The specialist programmes provided by these schools
are expensive, requiring more facilities and equipment, and far greater contact hours, than most other degree programmes. As a publicly-funded higher education institution, the Conservatoire enables LCDS to ensure that the most talented students can access our programmes regardless of background or financial circumstances. Being part of the Conservatoire means that the School can share some administrative functions with its fellow affiliates, including the application and administration of tuition fees and fee discounts. Equally importantly, it brings our students and faculty into a bigger creative community. Through exchange programmes, joint platforms and other peer-learning opportunities, the Conservatoire encourages a wider understanding of creative practice and collaborative possibilities for today’s performing artists.
Third year BA students rehearsing Richard Alston’s A Ceremony of Carols
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Undergraduate programme www.lcds.ac.uk/undergraduate The BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance is one of the most intensive and practically based vocational programmes available, offering a unique range of studio-based technique and creative activities. Alongside daily technical training, you will develop your contextual knowledge, composition, improvisation, written and performance skills. Programme outline BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance Duration Three years Qualification attained BA (Hons)
You will immerse yourself in creative dance practice through daily technical training and artistic exploration. This studio-based work is enhanced by a range of contextual studies that directly relate to your experience of performing, making and watching dance. In the first year there is a strong emphasis on developing essential skills. The School is famous for the strength of its technical training in both ballet and contemporary dance. We understand technique to be just one part of the groundwork that supports a dance artist, so you will also work to develop skills in improvisation and composition, as well as the ability to analyse and discuss a variety of perspectives on dance. As you complete your first year you will begin to put these skills into practice through learning an extract of repertory, and perhaps also by making your own work for performance. In the second year you will deepen and extend your technical base, experiencing what it is to be a performer in the making of new work, and tackle more complex choreographic and improvisation tasks. At the same time you will develop your ability to analyse dance work and explore how to teach dance in a range of settings. In the final term you will begin to consider your own strengths and particular interests within
the ever-widening field of contemporary dance, choosing from a range of performance and choreographic options. In the third year you will continue to choose which path you want to follow, specialising in performance or choreography, or continuing to develop your expertise in both fields. The course is designed to allow you to completely focus on one project at a time and technical training is linked to your performance work to encourage further depth of study. Entrance requirements Two passes at A level or equivalent in approved subjects. Equivalent qualifications from other countries are also accepted. A high standard of contemporary dance and/or ballet, as well as physical, mental aptitude and hunger for vocational training. These skills will all be assessed through the audition process. Candidates for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate language proficiency at audition. The School accepts results from either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Tests of English as a Foreign Language (ToEFL). IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element) or TOEFL 580 (no less than 4 in TWE).
Third year BA students rehearsing gojubi, choreographed by Janice Garrett
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BA (Hons) STUDENT PROFILE
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Joseph Toonga second year BA student 2011/12 “ It is challenging but in a very positive way. It is really supportive; everyone is always trying to strive for something better. There’s great support to help you cope with your work: if your theory work isn’t that strong, you can get one-to-one tutorials to help you out and get you to focus on your weakness and improve it. The School really has changed my mentality; it’s given me a much more positive way of thinking. I know it sounds like a cliche, but dance has changed my life.”
Hear more from Joseph at: www.lcds.ac.uk/studentvoices/joseph
BA (Hons)?????????? STUDENT PROFILE
PJ Hurst third year BA student 2011/12 “ I feel really privileged to be at LCDS, with Richard Alston Dance Company with us in the building. We get an option in the second year to do a Richard Alston solo and he came into rehearsals, talked about the work and gave us the background to it, which inspired me – I feel it made my dancing come alive. Since coming here I feel I’ve improved a lot in all areas: as a dance artist, as a performer, as a choreographer, as a teacher, and I feel I’ve grown up as a person as well. I feel more confident, I feel I have a lot more knowledge and a lot more grounding. I feel I’ve done a lot in three years, but at the same time, it’s gone so fast…” Hear more from PJ at: www.lcds.ac.uk/studentvoices/pj
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Postgraduate Programme www.lcds.ac.uk/postgraduate The Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Contemporary Dance provides opportunities to develop your skills at a vocationally relevant level, forging the transition from student to professional dance artist. It also supports dance artists at points of change in their careers. Programme Outline Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Contemporary Dance Duration One year (full-time) or two years (part-time) plus one term’s independent research for MA Qualification attained Postgraduate Diploma or MA
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Structure Our taught postgraduate programme specialises in four areas of study: Advanced Dance Studies, Performance, Choreography, or Dance Training and Education. Each of these pathways involves practice-based and theoretical research, group and independent projects. Upon gaining the appropriate grades during the Postgraduate Diploma, you may wish to apply to complete the MA degree by a period of independent research. The work presented for assessment can be practical and theoretical, or wholly written. More details about course structure and content can be found on our website. Advanced Dance Studies You will have daily advanced level technique classes and other courses designed specifically to cater for your individual needs, for example: improvisation, doublework, choreography, teaching, anatomy, somatics, extended performance projects, repertoire and performance studies. On application, you should clarify your main area of particular interest (eg choreography, dance training and education, or advanced training). The programme is designed to cater both for mature students and those who have recently completed vocational training and are seeking further input in particular areas of work.
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Performance: EDge As a dancer with EDge you will undertake a programme of creative investigations under the direction of professional choreographers from a range of backgrounds, which will form a repertoire which you will tour internationally in the second half of your course. You may also apply to join the group as a dancer/ choreographer, with the opportunity to research and develop your own work for the company’s touring repertoire. Performance: Apprenticeships Dance company apprenticeships develop your skills as performers through placements within wellestablished professional companies; academic work is completed by correspondence, with regular feedback from the School. You will work with a host company all year and perform on stage with them regularly in professional settings as part of your course. Each year we place apprentices with approximately eight different companies, enabling students to develop their work in a wide range of contemporary dance styles. Please see the website for the most up-to-date information on host companies. Choreography This programme is for students with an established background in choreography; it has proved particularly fruitful for mature students who have been choreographing for some time and
Postgraduate Advanced Dance Studies student Christopher Knight performing at The Place ??????????
wish to take time to reflect on their work within a supportive environment. Following a short course developing reflective skills and expanding your practice, you will undertake practical choreographic projects. Dance Training and Education Our Dance Training and Education programme is the only one of its kind in the UK, training contemporary dance teachers at advanced level. It will to equip you to deliver confident, creative dance training to the highest conservatoire or company standard. The programme is suitable for mature students and is especially aimed at those who have worked professionally as dancers, teachers or choreographers who now seek a nurturing environment to develop their teaching practice. Entrance requirements First or upper second BA degree in dance or related subject or substantial professional experience. Physical and mental aptitude for advanced level training. Candidates for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate language proficiency at audition. The School accepts results from either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Tests of English as a Foreign Language (ToEFL). Minimum score required is IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element) or TOEFL 580 (no less than 4 in TWE).
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POSTGRADuate Student Profile
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Mara Vivas Advanced Dance Studies student 2011/12 “Most dancers when they near their forties they think their careers ending, and it’s not true. I wanted to expand my knowledge and broaden my life as an artist, to keep on dancing and also be choreographing at the same time. Advanced Dance Studies not only has the perfect structure to support your needs as an artist but also they offer you new possibilities to develop your curiosity and your perspective. Every single class, every single process for me so far has been absolutely enriching and refreshing. It’s very exciting.” Hear more from Mara at: www.lcds.ac.uk/studentvoices/mara
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Matt Lackford EDge student 2010/11 “I’d just completed my degree at the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance and I wanted to develop my performative qualities, my technical understanding, my creative awareness and my creative vocabulary. I learnt a lot over the course, both as an individual artist and through being part of an ensemble who are a huge part of each other’s lives throughout the year. I developed a better understanding of my body, of where I want to take my career, of what type of dancer I want to be.” Hear more from Matt at: www.lcds.ac.uk/studentvoices/matt
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Third year BA students in contemporary class
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Application and Audition www.lcds.ac.uk/auditions You are advised to apply as early as possible via the website www.lcds.ac.uk, where you’ll also find application deadlines and further audition details. If you require the application form in an alternative format please contact the School office: lcds@theplace.org.uk or +44 (0)20 7121 1111. Suitable undergraduate applicants will be invited to attend an audition. In addition to audtions at The Place in London, a number of overseas auditions take place each year (see website for details). All postgraduate recall auditions take place in London. We understand that auditions can make candidates feel nervous, so our staff will do everything they can to help you feel welcome and enable you to do the best you can at your audition. Students are welcome to contact us before their audition to discuss any of our programmes in more detail, or to arrange a visit to the School during term time. Auditions are allocated on a first come first served basis so early application is advisable. We have a limited number of auditions and are only able to offer auditions to the first 1,000 applicants. However we will endeavour to allocate places to all applicants who apply by the
closing date, and will inform candidates as soon as possible if we are unable to accommodate them. A non-refundable fee is payable on application. Waivers may be available for applicants who are unable to pay the audition fee. For details contact the Student Support Services Office at studentsupport@theplace.org.uk or +44 (0)20 7121 1133. International students are encouraged to apply early to allow for visa application if necessary. Equal Opportunities and Access London Contemporary Dance School does not discriminate against students on grounds of age, sex, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, religion or belief. We do judge applicants critically on their readiness for a course of study according to their ability and
their potential to benefit from our particular programmes. As an applicant you are encouraged to inform us of any access requirements you may have on the application form (for example relating to dyslexia, a physical or sensory impairment or mental health condition). This is so the School can endeavour to make any reasonable adjustments at audition and during the programme. All students have access to academic support, and dyslexic students will also receive further assistance from specialist support staff. London Contemporary Dance School welcomes applications from disabled people, and can assist disabled students in applying for appropriate sources of support. The Place is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
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Postgraduate Advanced Dance Studies student Rata Thusavin and third-year BA student Joel Tulley performing in Mansoor Ali’s Colourboration
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Fees and Financial Support We aim to provide support to students who need extra help. LCDS is committed to ensuring that people from a broad range of backgrounds have access to dance training of the highest standard. Financial support in the form of bursaries and tuition discounts is available to eligible students via the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama’s Scholarship Scheme and bursary support is available from the School’s Fund for Excellence. Our tuition fees are set by the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama and approved by the Office for Fair Access (OFFA). If you are a UK/EU student and new to higher education, you will not have to pays these fees up front, and will begin repayment only after you have completed your course and are earning money. Non-EU international students will be required to pay the overseas rate for tuition. Full information about current fees and the wide range of scholarships and bursaries available to provide financial support for undergraduate and postgraduate students can be found on the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama website at www.cdd.ac.uk/student-info. We advise anyone worried about the financial implications of studying at LCDS not to let this prevent them from applying to the School. We are happy to talk through the costs and support available individually with applicants, and are determined that financial concerns alone should not prevent anyone from attending the School. If you require any further advice and information please contact our Student Support Services Office at: studentsupport@theplace.org.uk or +44 (0)20 7121 1133.
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Our History Early days: 1954-68 In 1954, the Martha Graham Company performed in Britain for the first time. Hotelier and philanthropist Robin Howard was inspired by these performances to bring contemporary dance to Britain. In 1966, Howard formed the Contemporary Dance Trust, with Lord Harewood, Sir John Gielgud, Henry Moore, Ninette de Valois, Marie Rambert and Martha Graham as patrons. The dancer, choreographer and teacher Robert Cohan was persuaded to join from the Graham Company to head up the venture, and the School opened its doors at a studio in Berners Place, London. Among the first students were Richard Alston, Robert North and Siobhan Davies. The first decade: 1969-78 In 1969, the Contemporary Dance Trust moved into 17 Duke’s Road, London, which was christened “The Place”. The new premises provided more studio space, a small theatre, offices and a restaurant. Patricia Hutchinson Mackenzie was appointed the first Principal of London Contemporary Dance School, and joining the faculty were two more distinguished former colleagues of Martha Graham: Jane Dudley, who would serve as Head of Graham Studies, and Nina Fonaroff, Head of Choreography.
London Contemporary Dance Theatre (LCDT) was set up as the Trust’s professional touring company. The company was made up of dancers from the School, though other students were supported as they pursued different paths. Around the same time that LCDT made its debut at Sadler’s Wells in 1973, Richard Alston was presenting performances by the UK’s first ‘independent’ dance company, Strider, at The Place.
The development of the School was helped by the long-service of several key members of staff. Among them were administrator Janet ‘Mop’ Eager, Peter Connell, who joined as a ballet teacher in 1976 and would retire from the post of Assistant Director 28 years later, and Jenny Henry, who worked in the Costume Department from 1969–2011. HRH The Duke of York became Patron of The Place in 1988 and continues in that role to this day.
Thanks primarily to the sale of books and land owned by Robin Howard, the Trust was able to purchase the freehold of The Place in 1976. By 1978, the first major redevelopment of premises was completed, with the School moving into new studios at Flaxman Terrace.
A decade of change: 1989-98 A few months after standing down as Chair of the Contemporary Dance Trust, Robin Howard died in June 1989. Developments that Howard had initiated continued in his memory, including the expansion of The Place’s theatre programme under the direction of John Ashford, with a strong strand of cutting-edge international work and platforms for a new, ground-breaking generation of British artists including Matthew Bourne, Shobana Jeyasingh, Lloyd Newson and Wayne McGregor.
Growing the School: 1979-88 Dr Richard Ralph was appointed Principal in 1979. He designed and developed the first University validated dance degree programmes in Europe. The first cohort studying for a BA (Hons) degree in Contemporary Dance, validated by the University of Kent, began their studies in 1982, and three dancers from LCDT – Charlotte Kirkpatrick, Anca Frankenhauser and Patrick Harding-Irmer – were among the first graduates in 1985.
Clockwise from top left: EDge performing in 2002, LCDS undergraduates performing with Richard Alston Dance Company in 2012, Jane Dudley leading LCDT company class, HRH The Duke of York opening The Place’s new studios, the library at LCDS, LCDS during The Place’s 40th anniversary celebrations, students relaxing between classes, Robin Howard CBE - founder of The Place and London Contemporary Dance School. Centre: early LCDS students watched in rehearsal by Robert Cohan.
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The School created 4D, a postgraduate performance company which would tour nationally and internationally creating a new bridge between training and professional practice for dance artists. Following a triumphant season at Sadler’s Wells for which the company won an Olivier Award, London Contemporary Dance Theatre closed in 1994. Richard Alston was appointed as the new Artistic Director of The Place, which would be home to a new dance company: Richard Alston Dance Company. Veronica Lewis, whose pioneering work developing access to dance in Cheshire was being emulated nationwide, was appointed as the new Director of London Contemporary Dance School in 1998. Building for the future: 1999–2008 A major redevelopment of The Place, refurbishing the historic Duke’s Road building and constructing eight new studios at Flaxman Terrace, began in 1999. The £7.5million project was completed in 2001, with a further two studios added in 2008. As the first cohort of students began their courses in the new building, London Contemporary Dance School and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) formed the Conservatoire for
Dance and Drama, a new higher education institution with Veronica Lewis as Joint Principal. This move enabled dance and drama students for the first time to receive funding for their study equivalent to students of other subjects. The Conservatoire would subsequently expand to provide funding and support for eight affiliate specialist conservatoires, providing training in dance, drama and circus arts in London, Bristol and Leeds. The School’s unique ties to the dance profession enabled it to offer students exceptional learning opportunities, including hosting residencies with Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Siobhan Davies Dance and Akram Khan. The postgraduate company was relaunched as EDge and presented work by choreographers including Trisha Brown, Javier De Frutos, Stephen Petronio and Hofesh Shechter. A new undergraduate touring company, LC3, was launched in 2006 to give final-year students more performance experience. New possibilities: 2009 The Place celebrated its 40th anniversary with a year-long programme of special events in 2009-10, among them a reunion for over 300 alumni. The 10th anniversary of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama was marked by a gala performance
in 2011, one of an increasing number of projects where students from the eight conservatoire schools collaborate together. Many of the School’s alumni now have leadership roles in dance companies and organisations, including at The Place. In addition to Artistic Director Richard Alston and Head of Postgraduate Studies Mary Evelyn, Vanessa Lefrançois (Director of Recreational and Prevocational Dance), Eddie Nixon (Director of Theatre and Artist Development), Isabel Tamen (Executive Director of Richard Alston Dance Company) and Kenneth Tharp (Chief Executive) are all former LCDS students. The School supports the continuing professional development of its faculty members, whose research projects and independent practice maintain engagement with the profession and leadingedge expertise. The School has taken steps in recent years to expand access and increase the diversity of its student body. It accepts roughly equal numbers of male and female students onto its programmes, and its students come from all parts of the UK, from across the EU and around the world. It maintains a proud commitment to selecting students solely on the basis of talent and potential, irrespective of background or financial circumstances.
BA student Oihana Vesgaxxx Bujan performing in Ellen Johansson’s Evene with designs by Rosalind Wilson from Wimbledon College of Art
“ My tutors were instrumental in my artistic growth, and supported my ideas. They gave me broad experience and helped me to problem solve. You have to be disciplined, humble, and able to work with people, and you develop communications skills fast. Coming to the School was the first time in my life that I achieved good marks. Nobody at home believed I would end up with a certificate in my hand!” rauke Requardt, F choreographer
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Our Graduates www.lcds.ac.uk/alumni Since 1966 almost 3,000 students have studied at London Contemporary Dance School. Many have gone on to found their own companies, become directors and choreographers of internationally recognised dance organisations, and have been acknowledged as outstanding performers. The success of our former students has contributed to the School’s reputation as one of the world’s leading conservatoires and offers inspiration to our current and future students. As a graduate of LCDS you will join a network of dance professionals who continue to shape the future of dance across the globe, which we hope can continue to be a source of inspiration to you throughout your career. Our Alumni Network enables former students to keep up to date with developments at the School, and access alumni services and benefits such as professional networking events. Many of our alumni contribute to the current student experience by offering workshops, placements and by kindly supporting the Fund for Excellence, which distributes bursaries to students in need of additional financial support. Our alumni are part of the School’s history and future; as a student here you will benefit from our
continually growing alumni community. Many alumni shape the future of dance through their teaching work. LCDS graduates are now teaching at London Contemporary Dance School, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, University of Surrey Roehampton, Scottish School of Contemporary Dance and Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, while others are contributing to the development of programmes in Australia, France, Italy, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan and the USA. Each year, one third year graduating student is selected to win the prestigious £10,000 Deutsche Bank Award in contemporary dance, a programme designed to enable a graduate to establish their own independent business.
Our recent graduates have performed with a wide range of choreographers and companies, including: Akram Khan Company Bern Ballet Bonachela Dance Company Candoco Dance Company Carte Blanche Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan Compagnie Felix Ruckert Danish Dance Theatre DV8 Physical Theatre Frauke Requardt Henri Oguike Dance Company Hofesh Shechter Company Jasmin Vardimon Company Lost Dog Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Michael Clark Company Motionhouse National Dance Company Wales Phoenix Dance Theatre Protein Punchdrunk Rambert Dance Company Richard Alston Dance Companypany Russell Maliphant Company Sasha Waltz & Guests Scottish Dance Theatre Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company Siobhan Davies Dance Sydney Dance Company Tavaziva Dance Tilted Productions Wayne McGregor | Random Dance
EDge performing Tony Adigun’s UNLEASHED, commissioned by The Place and Dance Umbrella
LCDS alumni include:
Aletta Collins
Richard Alston
choreographer for Rambert Dance Company and others
Jonzi D
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Artistic Director, The Place and Richard Alston Dance Company
Kim Brandstrup
Associate Artist, Sadler’s Wells and curator of Breakin’ Convention Festival
choreographer for The Royal Ballet and others
Janet Archer
Director of Dance Strategy, Arts Council England
James Cousins
Ben Duke & Raquel Meseguer
winner, New Adventures Choreographer Award 2011
winners, The Place Prize for dance sponsored by Bloomberg 2011
Paul Liburd
Best Male Dancer, National Dance Awards 2009
Betsy Gregory Artistic Director, Dance Umbrella
Celeste Dandeker Founder, Candoco Dance Company
Katie Green
Artistic Director, Made by Katie Green
Angela Towler
dancer, Rambert Dance Company
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Freddie Opoku-Addaie
Etta Murfitt
dancer, choreographer and Associate Artist, Royal Opera House
Associate Director, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures
Eddie Nixon
Director of Theatre and Artist Development, The Place
Siobhan Davies
Kenneth Tharp
Artistic Director, Siobhan Davies Dance
Chief Executive, The Place
Frauke Requardt
choreographer and Associate Artist, Greenwich Dance
Lorena Randi
Lloyd Newson
dancer and choreographer with Michael Clark Company and others
Director, DV8 Physical Theatre
Joe Moran
choreographer and Artistic Director, Dance Art Foundation
James Wilton
winner, Sadler’s Wells Global Dance Contest 2010
Robert Clark independent artist and choreographer
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Our Staff For more details on our staff and their latest projects, see www.lcds.ac.uk/staff London Contemporary Dance School Management Team Professor Veronica Lewis MBE Al Chor Director Veronica was Director of Cheshire Dance Workshop and Advisory Dance Teacher for Cheshire County Council for 22 years. She was also one of the founding Directors of the National Dance Agency for the North West. She has served as Vice Chairman of English National Ballet, Chair of the Royal Ballet’s education committee, Vice-Chair of the Arts Council’s Dance Panel, on the Board of Rambert Dance Company, and was a founding member of North West Arts Board. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s she pioneered the development of education work in both dance companies and orchestras. She was awarded the MBE in 1995 in recognition of her services to dance. She founded and is currently Joint Principal of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama, and she played a key role in developing the Government’s Centres for Advanced Training, for which she is a member of the Expert Panel. She has been Director of London Contemporary Dance School since 1998. In 2012, Veronica was made an Honorary Professor of the University of Kent. David Steele BA (Hons) Diplômé d’Etat FRSA Assistant Director David Steele started his career as a dancer and choreographer and then began his work in dance education at Laban. In 1989 he was invited to the Centre National de Danse Contemporaine, Angers France as Guest Artist. In 1990 he was made principal teacher at the Conservatoire National Supérieure, in Lyon, following which he became Head of Studies for DanseProjeket in Copenhagen, Denmark, and subsequently founder director of The Danish National School for Contemporary Dance. In
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2001 he worked for the first time at LCDS, initially as Head of Advanced Performance and then Head of Postgraduate Studies. In 2006 he returned to the CNDC as Director of Studies, where he ensured the awarding by the CNDC of the National Professional Diploma in Dance, and the establishment of Bachelors and Masters degree programmes in association with Universite Paris VIII. In 2008 he was created a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in recognition of his contribution to contemporary dance. He rejoined LCDS as Assistant Director in 2010.
Faculty
Dr Mary Evelyn PhD (Kent) Cert ED Head of Postgraduate Studies Mary trained as a teacher as Goldsmith’s College, University of London. Graduating from LCDS in 1979, she became a freelance dancer with Siobhan Davies and Richard Alston, before spending eight years as a dancer and choreographer with Rambert Dance Company. She won the inaugural Bonnie Bird New Choreography Award and created three works for the Rambert repertoire. Mary joined the faculty at LCDS in 1988 and directed the School’s Postgraduate Performance Group for seven years. She received her PhD in 1999 for research into teaching and learning strategies relevant to contemporary dance training and education. Following 19 years of studio-based teaching at LCDS, Mary joined the Senior Management Team and now leads the postgraduate department.
Helen Angove BA (Hons) PGDip MA MlfL Head of Learning and Teaching Helen holds a degree in Drama from Royal Holloway and postgraduate qualifications in Dance from Laban and the University of Surrey. She has taught and led a variety of performance programmes and initiatives across a range of educational and community sectors and has worked as a freelance dance artist, researcher and consultant. Helen’s academic research is informed by identity politics and she is especially interested in contrasting representations of the dancing body. Alongside this she continues to undertake research within both educational and community contexts. Helen has presented her research at a range of international conferences in Finland, France, Poland, USA and the UK.
Simon O’Shea BS MEd MSc Head of Student Services and International Development After completing a BSc in Biology in 1998 and an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction in 2000, Simon began working in Student Services at the Pennsylvania State University focusing on first year student populations. Later, at the University of California Santa Cruz, Simon was responsible for the management of the newly founded International Living Centre as well as for teaching several courses focusing on international and global perspectives. In 2005 Simon returned to the UK to serve as an Assistant Director for the London site of the USbased study abroad company IES. Most recently Simon completed an MSc in Globalisation and Development at Queen Mary University of London before joining the team at London Contemporary Dance School in 2007.
Cristian Addams Adjudicator SOBHD FBATD (Highland), Lecturer in Ballet Cristian studied ballet and danced professionally in Canada, before becoming a soloist with Ballet Rambert and London Festival Ballet. He was a principal dancer with Scottish Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Ballet Gulbenkian in Portugal and PACT Ballet in South Africa among others. He spent 11 years teaching ballet and Highland dancing in the USA, and taught at Central School of Ballet before coming to teach at LCDS in 1997.
Dr Henrietta Bannerman PhD Head of Postgraduate Research Henrietta gained a Doctorate in 1998 for her research on the work of Martha Graham, and has given conference papers nationally and internationally on Frederick Ashton, Jane Dudley, Martha Graham and London Contemporary Dance Theatre. She has published articles in Dance Research on aspects of Martha Graham’s technique and repertory and has contributed a chapter on Graham’s Greek dances for a book published by Oxford University Press in 2010. Henrietta supervises postgraduate research projects at PGDip and MA level. Baptiste Bourgougnon Lecturer in Contemporary Technique Baptiste graduated from the National Conservatoire in Paris in 2000. His professional career began with Nye Carte Blanche in Norway before returning to France to work with Luc Petton and Gilles Schamber. In 2002
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he joined Scottish Dance Theatre where he took part in numerous creations with choreographers including Ruy Horta, Didi Veldman, Janet Smith and Liv Lorent. In June 2006 he returned to France for a second time to begin working with Maryse Delente, to rejoined Luc Petton’s company with whom he toured Jordan and Slovakia, and to work with companies mixing dance and circus including L’eolienne and Acronote. He has recently worked with Ballet Lorent and with Company Chameleon as a rehearsal director. He joined the faculty of LCDS in 2012. Laurent Cavanna Lecturer in Performance Studies and Ballet Laurent trained in dance in France at the Centre International de la Danse. He then worked with Balletto di Toscana, Staadtteater Bern, Hong Kong Ballet, Rambert Dance Company and Siobhan Davies Dance. He has danced both classical repertoire and modern works for choreographers such as Merce Cunningham, Christopher Bruce, Jiri Kylian, Ohad Naharin and Mark Baldwin. In 2001, Laurent joined the Centre National de la Danse in Lyon (France) to train as a ballet teacher, graduating in October of the same year. Laurent completed a postgraduate course in Arts Management at City University in 2008. Raymond Chai Lecturer in Ballet Technique Raymond has worked in classical ballet, musical theatre and television as a dancer, actor and choreographer. He danced with the National Ballet of Portugal and in musical theatre productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal National Theatre and in London’s West End. Choreographic commissions include Auf Wiedersehen,Pet (BBC), Ballet Black (Royal Opera House), East London Dance and National Ballet of Portugal. Raymond is also a guest teacher for New Adventures, Richard Alston Dance Company, Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, Rambert Dance Company, and National Ballet of Portugal. Sharon Coleman BA (Hons) PGCE Head of Design and Costume Sharon trained in Jewellery Design at Middlesex University, where she became increasingly interested in movement and dance. Within the Costume Department, Sharon produces the costumes for EDge and teaches on the Design for Dance courses. Sharon has worked as a freelance designer and maker for various choreographers,
including Shift Youth Company and Maresa von Stockert. Sharon has a PGCE from the Institute of Education. Jorge M Crecis MPhil Lecturer in Contemporary Technique, Improvisation and Performance Studies While completing an Exercise and Sports Sciences degree Jorge studied contemporary dance at the Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza in Madrid. He has worked as a professional dancer in leading European companies. Since 2002 he has led his own company somoSQuien as well as collaborating with other artists to create installation, video and dance performances. His work has been commissioned in Austria, Belgium, Russia and Spain. Jorge is currently pursuing his doctorate at Goldsmiths, University of London. Antigone Exton-White BA (Hons) CTEFLA ATS Lecturer in Academic Support Antigone studied English Literature at Birkbeck College, then trained to teach English as a foreign language. She has been at LCDS since 1997. She is responsible for Professional Studies, and for the provision of English courses for speakers of other languages; she is also a specialist dyslexia support tutor. Karen Greenhough MA BEd Head of Undergraduate Choreographic Studies Karen undertook an undergraduate degree in Theatre in Canada which was followed by a Diploma in Contemporary Dance in Vancouver, and an MA at Laban. She has held full-time teaching appointments in Britain and Canada and extensive guest appointments in Europe, most recently at the State School in Athens. Her choreography has been performed on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1992 she won the Bonnie Bird New Choreography Award. Anna Helsby BA (Hons) Lecturer in Ballet Technique After graduating from the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, Anna performed as a soloist with the Theater St Gallen in Switzerland and choreographed for the company. She gained a BA (Hons) in Humanities with History from the Open University and has a Professional Dancers Teaching Diploma from the Royal Academy of Dance. Anna worked as a freelance artist in various contemporary companies in Switzerland, Austria and Germany,
as well as musicals such as Fame, Miss Saigon and Gaudi. Alongside teaching for LCDS, Anna is The Place’s Acting Director of Recreational and Prevocational Dance. Susanne Lahusen Lecturer in Experiential Anatomy and Somatics Susanne practised Astanga Vinyasa yoga with the late Derek Ireland, and studied with many other renowned teachers, including Richard Freeman. She holds a Yogacampus level 2 teaching qualification accredited by the British Wheel of Yoga, a BEd in Movement Studies, an MA in Dance, and advanced certification in Pilates, gyrotonic, gyrokinesis and the Alexander Technique. In addition to teaching at London Contemporary Dance School and at Laban, she runs her own studio in Battersea. She is on the teaching faculty for Yogacampus, runs professional workshops for the Pilates Foundation, and teaches at The Life Centre, Islington. Peter Laycock BA (Hons) MA QTS Lecturer in Fundamental Teaching Practice After gaining his BA in Performing Arts Dance with first class honours from Middlesex University in 2002, Peter worked as a freelance dance artist, creating work in a wide range of educational contexts spanning early years to undergraduate level. In 2007, he gained Qualified Teacher Status (Dance with Drama) through Huddersfield University. Following the award of his MA Choreography from the University of Leeds in 2010, Peter joined The Place as Project Officer in the Creative Teaching and Learning team. Jovair Longo Lecturer in Choreography and Improvisation Jovair trained in dance at Unicamp University in Brazil and EDDC-Arnhem in the Netherlands. He also trained independently following his interest in the work of some particular teachers. He performed with Yolande Snaith, Rosemary Lee, Gaby Agis and Earthfall Dance among others. His work in the independent dance sector involves teaching, making work, performing and curating. He has taught at different schools, festivals and companies, both in the UK and in Europe. His latest interest in dance video has produced works screened in festivals in London and Europe. He joined London Contemporary Dance School in 2004.
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Sue MacLennan Cert Ed Head of Postgraduate Choreographic Studies Sue studied dance and drama at Dartington College of Arts and performed professionally for many years, becoming known and respected in particular for her improvisatory work in performance. She has choreographed over 50 works, including a piece for EDge in 2006. She is interested in collaboration, new technology and improvisation, has worked as a movement director in theatre, curated programmes for London’s South Bank and was a long-standing member of the Rosemary Butcher Dance Company. Sue joined LCDS in 1995. Rick Nodine MA Lecturer in Choreography and Improvisation After a Biology degree, Rick studied Contact Improvisation with the pioneers of the form. He began performing in the early 90s, and in 2001 became staff at LCDS teaching Composition and Improvisation. Recent choreography has been for the National Theatre, Glyndebourne Opera, EDge, Coventry University, Devon Youth Dance and LCDS, and he is a 2012 Place Prize semi-finalist. As a guest teacher Rick has been invited to teach in 10 countries and more than 30 cities. He has taught company class for Rambert Dance Company, Punchdrunk and DV8, and he has been selected in 2012 as a key teacher to represent the UK in the international IDOCDE project, a contemporary dance education documentation project. Sonia Noonan Lecturer in Physical Support Sonia trained in Australia from a young age and, after dancing and teaching professionally she migrated to the UK. She then trained and worked in the Pilates technique with Alan Herdman at The Place, and began teaching Body Conditioning at LCDS in 1979. She has a particular interest in assisting students and to explore ways of maximizing their skills alongside keeping their dance training both healthy and exciting. Kate Price Lecturer in Contemporary Technique and Repertoire Kate trained at the Royal Ballet School and LCDS before dancing with Rambert for 10 years. She subsequently worked as a freelance dancer with Michael Clark, Lloyd Newson and Mark Baldwin, and taught with companies and schools nationally and internationally including Ballet Atlantic,
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DV8, Richard Alston Dance Company, The Cholmondeleys and The Featherstonehaughs, AMP, Charleroi and the Conservatoire de Paris. Kate was rehearsal director for RADC from 1996–1998 before joining the faculty of LCDS. Eva Recacha MA Lecturer in Choreology Eva trained at LCDS, graduating with an MA in Choreography, before founding her own company, Proyecto Babel, in Spain. As a dancer, Eva has performed for Frauke Requardt, inFlux (Switzerland), Lost Dog and Proyecto Babel (Spain). Eva is currently making her own work in UK and she was a Place Prize finalist in 2011. Most recently, she has been selected as a Work Place Artist and has been awarded a Marion North Mentoring Award. Eva’s most recent commissions include work for EDge, Bloomberg LP, the IDFB 2012, and the 2012 edition of the Place Prize. Eva teaches at London Contemporary Dance School, Birkbeck College and CSD Maria de Avila in Spain. Patricia Rianne Lecturer in Ballet Technique and Artistic Director, LC3 Patricia trained in New Zealand and at the Royal Ballet School, London. Her extensive international performance career began as a member of Rambert Dance Company. An interest in sports training methods to support and enhance the well-being of dancers led her into full time teaching. Guest teaching and staging commitments have taken her to Europe, China, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Hong Kong. Sara Rigden BA (Hons) PGCE Lecturer in Design and Costume, Senior Costume Assistant Sara trained in dance at Laban, where her interest in costume developed. After graduating she started working in the costume department at LCDS. Her roles include teaching, designing and making for school productions and for EDge, the postgraduate performance company. Sara has also worked freelance, making and designing for various choreographers. Sasha Roubicek MA Lecturer in Contemporary Dance Studies Sasha trained at London Contemporary Dance School. In 1987 she co-founded Reflex Dance Company with Paul Douglas, with whom she
toured internationally. She was a founding member of Small Bones Dance Company and has performed with Motionhouse Dance Theatre, Yolande Snaith Theatre Dance and Siobhan Davies Dance Company. Sasha is artistic adviser to Movingeast and is an assistant instructor of Aikido at Tetsushinkan Budojo, she is graded 3rd Dan. In 2007 she was awarded the Lisa Ullman Scholarship to visit Japan to study Aikido. Sasha joined the faculty at LCDS in 2008, specialising in release-based dance practice and the work of Siobhan Davies. In 2011 Sasha was nominated for a National Teaching Fellowship Scheme Award, also in 2011 Sasha completed her MA in Advanced Dance Studies at LCDS. Hilary Stainsby BA MA Lecturer in Contemporary Technique Hilary trained at LCDS between 1995–1999, graduating with a First Class BA and an MA with Distinction. She has worked with choreographers including Martin Lawrance, Maresa von Stockert, Tom Dale, Matthias Sperling and Yael Flexer. From 2001–2006 she was a member of Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, touring nationally and internationally as well as delivering an extensive education programme. In 2007 she was a dancer for the Jerwood Bank Project with Siobhan Davies. Hilary has taught and made work in a variety of different schools and community settings across the UK. She became a faculty member at LCDS in 2009 and has been Rehearsal Director for Shift, the The Place’s youth dance company, since 2007. She continues her performance practice and has most recently worked with choreographer Joe Moran. Jeannie Steele Lecturer in Contemporary Technique and Repertoire Jeannie was a member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company from 1993-2005. She began teaching in 1997 and served as MCDC’s Rehearsal Assistant from 2001-2006, participating in the reconstruction of a number of works on MCDC, as well as projects with New York City Ballet, the Royal Swedish Ballet and Rambert Dance Company. Jeannie continues to stage Cunningham’s work internationally. She also teaches regularly for the companies of Richard Alston, Rafael Bonachela, Matthew Bourne, Michael Clark and Rambert. Jeannie joined the LCDS faculty in 2007.
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Philippa Thomas BA MA Lecturer in Contextual Studies Philippa teaches cultural studies with a particular emphasis on contemporary critical theory. Her research interests include questions of power, play, the body, and unofficial knowledges such as jokes and rumours. She has lectured at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, written for Dance Theatre Journal and contributed a chapter for the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Dance and the Popular Screen. She also creates fiction and film work, and is currently undertaking her PhD at Goldsmiths College in Sociology. Chris Thomson AGSM Cert Ed MA Lecturer in Fundamental Teaching Practice. He performed with Lindsay Kemp and was a founding member of Ludus Dance Company. From 1986-1991 he directed the Community Dance course at Laban, and took his MA there, specialising in the sociology of community dance. A former Chair of the Foundation for Community Dance and Vice-Chair of Dance UK, he is a member of the Dance Programme Board overseeing the work of Youth Dance England. Chris has taught and lectured internationally and has strong links with the community dance sector in Finland. Chris is Director of Creative Teaching and Learning at The Place. Gabriela Tropia BA MA Lecturer in Dance and Technology Gabriela’s work in videodance began in 2004 while studying Dance at Unicamp (Brazil). Her debut film was selected for the Brazilian One Minute Film Festival. In 2006 Gabriela moved to London to study video and completed her MA in Dance for the Screen at LCDS, joining the faculty in 2008. Gabriela has been commissioned to create works in London and Singapore. Her videos have been screened in more than 20 countries, including Live Screen at Sadler’s Wells and the Videodance Mercosur Circuit. Neil Webster BSc (Hons), GTCL (Hons), LTCL, LTCL, Dip Phys Sci (Open) Chief Accompanist Neil played at Central School of Ballet from 1985-2000 and began playing at London Contemporary Dance School in 1990, becoming Chief Accompanist in 2000. He has played extensively on the open class circuit, and has played class for companies including London Contemporary Dance Theatre, Rambert Dance Company, Adventures in Motion Pictures and
Richard Alston Dance Company. Neil’s professional performances have included solo and ensemble work with Rambert and Richard Alston Dance Company in the UK and abroad. Colyn Wohlmut BA MLS MA Learning Resources Manager A native of California, Colyn holds a BA in Music from San Francisco State University and an MLS from San José State University. Prior employment includes ten years at the Stanford University Libraries where she worked with diverse collections including: Film and Media Studies, French and Italian Studies and the History of Science and Technology Collections. She is a certified instructor of Tacosa Serrada Escrima (Filipino martial arts) and was the founding instructor of the Stanford Eskrima Club. She is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and a Member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. In 2011, she was awarded an MA in Conservation from the University of the Arts, London. Jeanne Yasko MA EDge Artistic Director Originally from New York, Jeanne was based in London from 1979–1983 before continuing her career as a choreographer, dancer and teacher in Scandinavia. She taught at the Arts Academy in Turku, Finland, and for two years toured her solo show of six short choreographies, including two early works of Doris Humphrey. In 1995 she became the first Artistic and Managing Director of NorrDans, based in the Swedish town of Härnösand. During ten years with NorrDans her choreographies were both audience and critical successes and broadcast on SVT, (Swedish television). She received the Olof Högberg Kulturpriset (Cultural Award) in 2002. Between 2005-2009 Jeanne taught regularly at ArtEZ Institute of the Arts in Holland, the Danish National School of Contemporary Dance and Dansens Hus in Denmark and was artist in-residence at the Black Diamond, the Royal Danish Library’s house of culture. Jeanne recently completed a Diploma of Leadership, Art and Culture in Denmark for research-based teaching/study working with a primary focus on theories of social constructionism.
Support Services Jasmine Challis BSc (Hons) Nut. RD Nutritionist Jasmine has an honours degree in Nutrition and a postgraduate diploma in Dietetics. She has qualifications in teaching young people and adults is registered as a dietician with the Health Professions Council. She has worked with dance students and professionals for more than 15 years and is on the Medical Advisory Panel for Dance UK. Away from dance, her experience with patients with eating disorders is extensive and she also has much experience advising people with problems including IBS, diabetes, PCOS and coeliac disease. She was a Council Member of the British Dietetic Association for over five years. In sports, Jasmine has worked both with coaches and athletes, and has advised at national level training camps. Nicky Ellis BSc (Hons) Osteo Med Osteopath Nicky trained at the Arts Educational School and London Contemporary Dance School. She has worked professionally with choreographers Aletta Collins, Laurie Booth, Charles Linehan, Lea Anderson and Jasmin Vardimon. After 10 years of performing she retrained as an osteopath. Since graduating, alongside her treating she has taught at institutions including The Royal Ballet School, Central School of Ballet and English National Ballet School from 2005–2009, with her students winning international contemporary prizes including the Prix de Lusanne and Beijing International Ballet Competition. Nicky currently teaches contemporary and choreography for The Place’s CAT and regularly guest teaches and choreographs in Europe. She has two private osteopathic practices and regularly treats professional dancers and choreographers working in the UK. Elizabeth Nabarro BA BSc School Counsellor Elizabeth studied French and Psychology at Sydney University and the Sorbonne, Paris, and graduated in Psychology from London University. After working for some years as a research psychologist in schools and hospitals, she trained as a student counsellor and psychoanalytic psychotherapist. She has a particular interest in learning difficulties and eating disorders, and has been working with dancers since 1989.
Third-year BA students Emily Crouch and Andy Macleman in rehearsal
Visiting Faculty Carolyn Deby Jamie McCarthy Kornelia Deppe Lauren Potter Alex Howard Allan Caig Wilson Imogen Knight
School Administration Mary Bullard Assistant to the Director Cindy Cheung Admissions and Registry Manager Nicola Hedley Academic Administration Manager Helen Holden Projects and Company Manager Jo Littledyke Administrative Assistant
Guest Artists Among the guest artists who have recently led technique and creative sessions are: Richard Alston Henrietta Hale Seke Chimutengwende Imogen Knight Robert Clark Martin Lawrance Marina Collard Barak Marshall Claire Cunningham Frauke Requardt Tom Dale Arthur Pita Robin Dingemans Moreno Solinas Ben Duke Matthias Sperling Antonio de la Fe Guedes Vera Tussing Delphine Gaborit Igor Urzelai Janice Garrett
Other staff Marta Bogna Press and Media Manager David Burnie Director of Administration and Finance Stephen Clarke Director of Development Caroline Doyle Administrator (fees and other) Victoria Heath Development Officer Frances Morris Costume Assistant Katie Paling Communications Manager Graziella Terraciano Trusts Fundraiser Tim Wood Director of Communications
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Third year BA student Joel Tulley performing in Siobhan Davies’s Birdsong
“ Never miss a class, no matter how tired, bruised and battered you may be. Not only are you missing the information being taught in class, but also the three years flies by so fast, you’ll only regret not taking every class possible. You learn a huge amount from the faculty but you also learn a great deal more from the friends that surround you every day. I learned so many tricks of the trade that once I graduated I had the necessary tools to move from student to professional.” areth Mole, G dancer with National Dance Company Wales
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Frequently Asked Questions www.lcds.ac.uk/faqs How many students study at LCDS? The School has around 180 students on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. What is the relationship between the School and the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama? London Contemporary Dance School has linked with seven comparable specialist training schools to form the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama, which is a Higher Education Institution (HEI) and funded by the UK Government. As a student of London Contemporary Dance School you are a student of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama. In some contexts (information from Student Finance England, for example) information will be published relating to the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama as a whole, rather than its individual affiliate schools. What areas of work are open to me after graduating? Previous graduates of the School have become artistic directors, choreographers, dancers in companies, dance filmmakers, teachers, administrators in dance or work in the field of dance in education. What financial support is available? Both London Contemporary Dance School and the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama offer support to students in financial difficulty. Depending on the circumstances,including your
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background and where you live, you may qualify for other financial support. If you are worried about the cost of studying at LCDS or need further advice on the support available, do get in touch or look on our website and the Conservatoire website (www.cdd.ac.uk) for more information. What happens if I fall ill during my course? Will I have access to free health care if this happens? All students registered on full-time courses in the UK are entitled to free health care through the National Health Service (NHS). Some costs may be incurred for medication. Dental care in the UK is not free but is cheaper through the NHS. We have our own Lecturer in Physical Support who is responsible for initial assessment of dance-related injuries and will advise students on the most appropriate treatment. Students can also be referred to the School’s in-house osteopath. Can I study abroad? A limited number of places are available for BA students to study abroad for one term during the third year of their programme. Opportunities currently exist with dance schools in New York, California, Hawaii and Denmark. What academic support does the School offer? Students have access to academic support to give extra help to students needing either English language support, or help with the learning and study skills needed for the academic aspects of the programme. The School also helps disabled students to apply for the Disabled Students Allowance,
and can use these funds to provide appropriate help. We aim to assist dyslexic students and those with other specific learning needs as appropriate – see page 17 for details. Can I get help with the transition into the dance profession? The School’s position as part of The Place means its links with the dance profession are unrivalled. The Place provides professional development for artists at all stages of their lives in dance. The Place publishes Juice, an online service providing advice and jobs/auditions information free-of charge to the independent dance profession. Do you have student housing? The School does not operate any housing of its own, but we do have in place mechanisms to ensure that accepted students can find an appropriate place to live. We employ an accommodation officer over the summer to assist students, who can be contacted by emailing accommodation@theplace.org.uk Can I get a part-time job? Non-EU students enrolled on fulltime degree courses are entitled to work up to 20 hours per-week. EU and Swiss students may legally work as much as they wish. Students should understand however that dance training at the School is both physically and mentally tiring. There is sometimes casual work available within The Place, as teaching assistants for the recreational and prevocational training programmes, ushers, bar staff or administrative assistants.
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“ My training gave me a lot of discipline and it prepared me to do well in lots of different circumstances. I have seen many dancers around and I think that the technical training that you get at the School gives you an edge. The course offers a wide range of options that help make you an all-round, thinking dancer.� reddie Opoku-Addaie, F dancer, choreographer and Associate Artist, Royal Opera House
Third year BA students rehearsing Inner Orbit, choreographed by Rick Nodine
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Ten Reasons to Join LCDS 1. We put the future of contemporary dance in your hands. We enable and support you to engage critically with the art form, to push its boundaries and explore what it means to be a contemporary dance artist. 2. You will learn from, work alongside, and have the potential to become one of the best dance artists in the world. 3. You’ll join a cohort of young artists from around the world pursuing creative practice to the highest artistic and technical standards. 4. As we’re a small school, we treat our students as individuals. You’ll be nurtured and empowered to develop as a creative, reflective dance artist. 5. You’ll be based at The Place, the UK’s premier centre for contemporary dance, with unrivalled connections to the professional dance world. 6. You’ll be working in the heart of London surrounded by the diverse artistic and cultural experiences the city has to offer. 7. You have the chance to see up to 150 cutting-edge dance performances each year in Britain’s busiest dance venue: The Place’s Robin Howard Dance Theatre… 8. …and you’ll perform in that theatre, giving regular sharings of your creative and performance works for the students, faculty and artists of The Place, as well as for your family, friends, the public and dance practitioners. 9. Through our student support schemes, we attempt to ensure that nothing prevents the most talented young artists from achieving their potential, providing financial, educational and other help where needed. 10. Upon graduation you’ll become part of the School’s Alumni Network, an elite and supportive group of individuals working in dance across the globe.
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The Place
London Contemporary Dance School’s Fund for Excellence is supported by
Royal Patron HRH The Duke of York KG CVO ADC Patrons Bonnie Greer OBE, Lord Hall of Birkenhead CBE, Dr Haruhisa Handa, Anthony van Laast MBE, Wayne McGregor CBE, John Pemberton, Sir Ken Robinson Founder Robin Howard CBE Founding Artistic Director Robert Cohan CBE Chair Sir Tim Lankester Chief Executive Kenneth Tharp OBE Artistic Director Richard Alston CBE Director of Recreational and Prevocational Dance Vanessa Lefrançois (maternity cover Anna Helsby) Director, London Contemporary Dance School Veronica Lewis MBE Director of Theatre and Artist Development Eddie Nixon Director of Creative Teaching and Learning Chris Thomson
The Craignish Trust Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation Leche Trust The Leverhulme Trust Simon’s Charity South Square Trust Stanley Picker Trust The Williams Charitable Trust
A full list of staff at The Place can be found at www.theplace.org.uk/staff
Lunn Prothero Fund Duke of York Scholarship Fund Peggy Hawkins Scholarship Fund Charlotte Kirkpatrick Awards Jenny Henry Alumni Awards Mitchells & Butlers Zurich plc We are also grateful for the ongoing support of a great many individual donors to the Fund for Excellence. The Place is a registered charity no. 2502156 The information contained within this prospectus was correct at the time of printing. London Contemporary Dance School reserves the right to make changes to the published information. Front cover image: Third year BA students Drew Hawkins and Andy Macleman performing in Macleman’s Drone Photography by Hugo Glendinning, Benedict Johnson, Ivar Sviestins Printed on a FSC approved paper Design by www.draught.co.uk
Third year BA students performing in Rosemary Lee’s Square Dances, part of the Dance Umbrella 2011 Festival in London ??????????
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London Contemporary Dance School The Place, 17 Duke’s Road London, WC1H 9PY +44 (0)20 7121 1111 lcds@theplace.org.uk www.lcds.ac.uk
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