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TRINITY LABAN CONSERVATOIRE OF MUSIC & DANCE
Alumni newsletter Spring 2015
Welcome to Encore A very warm welcome to Encore 2015, the magazine for alumni of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and the former Trinity College of Music and Laban. This edition brings you some top stories from the last year at Trinity Laban and lots of news from the alumni community. At the back, you will find details about reunions including an upcoming one for music alumni from 1975. There is also information about our programme of continual professional development. We hope you enjoy reading it. We are committed to growing and developing our alumni relations programme so that you can stay connected with Trinity Laban and the wider alumni community. As part of this we will keep you updated with news from us and the alumni network. If you have any comments or ideas you would like to share about the alumni relations programme please let us know. We are extremely proud of our alumni and all your achievements and are always delighted to hear your news so do let us know what you are doing. Please get in touch with our Communications and Alumni Relations Manager Lucy Nicholson to share your news, comments and ideas.
Courtesy Global Radio
STUDENTS AND ALUMNI RECORD NUMBER ONE SINGLE Classic FM bought Trinity Laban students and alumni together with some of classical music’s biggest names to record a charity single for Global’s Make Some Noise. The single, which was recorded in just twelve hours at Air Studios, stormed to number one in the classical singles chart just two days after being released. read more inside >
Photo: jk-photography
Photo: Nick Mead
WAYNE MCGREGOR AWARDED PROFESSORSHIP SHARE YOUR NEWS Email alumni@trinitylaban.ac.uk
We are delighted to announce that award-winning choreographer and director Wayne McGregor has been appointed Professor of Choreography. This appointment is a further development of Trinity Laban’s existing partnership with Wayne McGregor | Random Dance. read more inside >
trinitylaban.ac.uk/alumni
WAYNE MCGREGOR AWARDED PROFESSORSHIP continued from overleaf >
The focus of our research partnership so far has been the connection between imagery and creativity in dance making. Together Trinity Laban and Random co-hosted an interdisciplinary seminar on imagery and creativity which placed the artistic process in the spotlight and drew on approaches in clinical psychology, sports psychology, cognitive and neuroscience to interrogate the practice. Alongside collaboration in the academic realm, Trinity Laban also co-commissioned Atomos which was the company’s fourth production to be developed in our theatre and featured alumnus James Pett. The appointment of Wayne McGregor will enhance our research activity and will also offer opportunities for students and staff to engage in a range of activities with Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, with students focusing on repertoire, research and creativity.
wedding album. After the recording she praised the “really talented students from Trinity Laban!” Lucy Drever, Trinity Laban alumnus and member of FourTune, who was one of the performers said “Today has been the kind of day that you dream about whilst being a music student… It was such an amazing experience – thank you Classic FM!!!” Steadfast, is available to download on iTunes for just 99p. All funds raised will go to support new charity Global’s Make Some Noise, which helps children and young people affected by illness, disability, bereavement or lack of opportunity, across the country.
TRINITY LABAN – NUMBER ONE CONSERVATOIRE FOR RESEARCH INTENSITY
Wayne McGregor said: “The Random team’s ongoing research into the science of making dances continues to fascinate and present fresh challenges both creatively and cognitively. I am delighted and honoured to accept the Professorship at Trinity Laban and look forward to our evolving collaboration”.
Times Higher Education has ranked us the top conservatoire in the country for ‘research intensity’.
Atomos rehearsal, photo by Ravi Deepres
STUDENTS AND ALUMNI RECORD NUMBER ONE SINGLE continued from overleaf >
Trinity Laban musicians and vocalists provided a mini orchestra and choir to support Alfie Boe, Alexander Armstrong, Katherine Jenkins, Wynne Evans, Myleene Klass and a host of other artists. They all came together to record the charity single, Steadfast, which was written by Howard Goodall, Classic FM’s composer-inresidence. The single was produced by the multi award winning Anna Barry who famously produced the official royal
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The Research Excellence Framework (REF) assesses the quality of research at UK higher education institutions by taking the percentage of eligible staff submitted against the world class nature of the research they have produced. In the published league table we were ranked number one conservatoire overall and in the top five for specialist institutions. Research is at the core of Trinity Laban’s mission. Alongside our established Research Degree Programme our teaching activity is informed by a huge amount of staff research. REF categorised 68% of Trinity Laban’s research as “internationally excellent” or “world class,” with 100% of research impact deemed as “internationally excellent” or “world class.” Dr Jonathan Clark, Head of the Research Programme at Trinity Laban (pictured), says: “This is an excellent result…I’m delighted that these REF results emphasise not only that our research is making a huge impact around the world – influencing performers, educators and policy-makers – but also that this is a wonderfully energetic environment in which to conduct practicebased research.”
HIGH EMPLOYMENT FOR OUR GRADUATES We had a really impressive result in the annual HESA Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey. The results showed that 98.8% of our undergraduates were in employment or in further study six months after graduating. Trinity Laban is consistently one of the best performing higher education institutions in this nationwide survey. Principal, Professor Anthony Bowne, said he was delighted with the result. “Our music and dance students are among the best in the world and Trinity Laban continues to recruit the very best international teachers to guide and support them in their ambitions. The creative world has always been a competitive one, but the figures prove that we continue to lead the way in producing high quality, entrepreneurial dancers and musicians.”
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS Trinity Laban has a long history of international relationships and we were very pleased to host two recent visits by Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts) and Professor Kazuki Sawa, Dean of Music at Tokyo University of the Arts. A delegation from K-Arts, including the University’s renowned K-Arts Dance Company, visited in January. During the visit a Memorandum of Understanding was signed which cements our partnership with K-Arts. The signing was celebrated in front of a large audience of special guests, including delegates from the Korean Cultural Centre and the Arts Council of Korea. Following the signing K-Arts Dance Company performed a triple bill in the Laban theatre which included No comment choreographed by Trinity Laban alumnus Chang-Ho Shin, a tutor at K-Arts. Also in January we welcomed renowned violinist Professor Kazuki Sawa who delivered an inspiring masterclass for our students. This reciprocal visit followed masterclasses given at Tokyo University of the Arts by Trinity Laban’s Head of Strings, Nic Pendlebury.
IN MEMORY We are very sad to announce the following deaths and our condolences go to their families and friends. Dai Rees (died 16 March 2014) studied jazz and graduated in 2006 with a BMus. He went on to work as a paramedic and sadly died in a diving accident in the Maldives where he was doing charity work. Ellie Thompson (died 1 April 2014) was a BA Dance Theatre student 2001 – 2004. She returned to Trinity Laban as a Learning and Participation (Dance) Graduate Intern in 2008 and continued to work with the team on a range of projects and activities, including disability work, music and dance collaborative projects and children’s classes. Shirley Varlow, neé Dams (died 7 April 2014) gained a LTCL TTD in 1955 and went on to teach. Dr Antonin Tucapsky (27 March 1928– 19 Sept 2014) was Head of Composition at the former Trinity College of Music for many years and was a well known composer, teacher and conductor. Bram Wiggins (28 Sept 1921 – Oct 2014) graduated with an LTCL (trumpet) in 1939 and taught at the former Trinity College of Music after the war. He was assistant principal trumpet in the London Symphony Orchestra for many years and played with other London orchestras. He also wrote many instrument tuition books and composed brass pieces. Harriet Rowlands, neé Isaacs (1954 – 2014) graduated in 1976 and went on to be an inspiring drama teacher in many schools including Beaumont school, St Albans, where she was Head of Drama. Professor Hector ‘Bill’ Quine (30 Dec 1926 – 1 Jan 2015) was highly influential as a leading classical guitar teacher in London, he taught at most of the London conservatoires. He founded the guitar department at the former Trinity College of Music in 1958 and was awarded a TCM Fellowship in 1969. Bernard Blay (19 June 1921 – 15 Jan 2015) graduated with an LTCL (violin) in 1948 and went on to teach and perform. He was a member of the Macnaghten Quartet and taught at Benslow Music for many years.
Photo: jk-photography
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FROM MUSIC ALUMNI
NEWS Grace Carter (MMus voice, 2013) is one of only six people who have been accepted into the prestigious Dutch National Opera Academy for 2014/15. Rebecca Craven (CHE Music Performance, 2012) who starred in BBC1’s Waterloo Road, made her professional musical debut in Hairspray at the Curve Theatre in Leicester. Peter Edwards (ISP 2007, MMus Jazz piano 2009) released his debut album Safe and Sound, with The Peter Edwards Trio to great reviews. He was also nominated for a 2014 MOBO jazz award. Ria Horsford (FDA Musical Theatre, 2009) joined the cast of internationally acclaimed internet show All about the McKenzies. Claire Iselin (Harp BMus 2010, MMus 2012) finished her North American tour at Carnegie Hall. The tour was made possible after she won the 2013 IBLA Grand Prize competition.
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Ayanna Witter-Johnson (BMus composition, 2008) released her debut EP, Black Panther, to rave reviews. She has also been touring with Anoushka Shanker alongside fellow alumni Julian Hepple (BMus composition, 2009) and Manu Delago (Postgraduate Advanced Diploma composition, 2011). Manu has also been touring with Manu Delago Homemade.
Ned Bigham (PGC 1998, PGD 1999) released the album Culebra which reached number 11 in the UK Classical Specialist Chart. Neysun Rouhani (Piano, BMus 2005, MMus 2013) with conductor Spencer Down, conceived Epic Persia, a concert of music by six Iranian composers. Neysun and his sister Honey Rouhani (Postgraduate Diploma, voice 2014) performed the piece with the Dockland Sinfonia at Cadogan Hall. Duncan Ward (Sir Charles Mackerras Junior Fellowship 2011– 2012) has been appointed Principal Conductor of Sinfonia Viva.
Courtesy Ayanna Witter-Johnson
Oliver Payne (MMus composition, 2011) performed his first solo production at St James’ Theatre. The Anglo-Finnish Backman Trio, formed in 2009 by Marcus Andrews (BMus piano, 1999), Frida Backman (BMus, 2005) and Ruth Beedham (BMus 2002, Postgraduate Diploma 2003) launched their new CD at the Finnish Ambassador’s Residence. Tom Hammond (Trinity Laban Mackerras Conducting Fellow, 2006–2008), Ryan Hume (BMus trombone, 2014) and Joe Palmer (BMus tuba, 2014) performed at the annual Harwich Festival with current students and staff.
Photo: Maurice Foxall
Head of Jazz and alumnus Simon Purcell (Jazz, 1979) launched Red Circle his long anticipated debut album to rave reviews. Jeff Wayne (Composition, 1966) took a new production of his smash hit The War of the Worlds on a UK arena tour.
Mili Leitner (BMus violin, 2014) has been awarded a five year fellowship to study for a PhD in Ethnomusicology at The University of Chicago. Courtesy Jeff Wayne
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Laura Jurd (BMus jazz trumpet, 2013) received great reviews for her second album Human Spirit which features Corrie Dick (BMus jazz drums, 2014) on drums. Lucy Richards (BA Musical Theatre, 2014) appeared in The Tempest at the Waterloo East Theatre and starred as Wendy in Bournemouth Pavilion’s Peter Pan. Nazerene Williams (BA Musical Theatre, 2014) performed in Dick Whittington at the Lyric Hammersmith. Samuel Boden (Voice, BMus 2006, MMus 2008) played the title role in Francesco Cavilli’s L’Ormindo at the new Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Lewis Asquith (BA Musical Theatre, 2014) joined the national UK tour of Some Enchanted Evening.
AWARDS, HONOURS AND COMPETITIONS Congratulations to our alumni for the many awards and prizes they have won. John Powell (Composition, 1986) won an Annie Award for the score for Rio 2. He also hosted Trinity Laban Composition students when he was at Abbey Road Studios recording the soundtrack for How to Train your Dragon 2. Alan Fearon (MA Music Education, 2000) former Head of Timpani with the Royal Northern Sinfonia and founder of the Chorus of Royal
Northern Sinfonia, was awarded an MBE for his services to music in the 2015 New Year’s Honours. Jazz trio Treehouse, featuring Tom Hewson (MMus jazz piano, 2009) and Lewis Wright (BMus, 2010) won Help Musicians UK’s Emerging Excellence Award. Tom Hewson also won the Nottingham International Jazz Piano Festival competition. Sam Burstin (BMus, 2003) came 3rd in the Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition. Sam plays viola with the Philharmonia Orchestra.
winners at the awards were Steve Waterman (LTCL 1983, GTCL 1984) for trumpet and Steve Brown (LTCL 1989, GTCL 1991) for drums. Cecilia McDowall (Piano, LTCL 1973, GTCL 1975) won the Choral category for Night Flight at the 2014 British Composer Awards. Elliot Galvin (Jazz piano, BMus 2013, MMus 2014) won the European Young Artists’ Jazz Award in Burghausen with the Elliot Galvin Trio. The trio also released their debut album Dreamlands, to great reviews. Photo: jk-photography
Madeline Jones (BMus, 2014) won third prize at the Norah Sande Award 2014. Moses Boyd (BMus jazz piano, 2013) won the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ 2014 Young Jazz Musician Award. He is also one of five artists to win the Steve Reid Innovation Award. Panaretos Kyriatzidis (Piano, MMus 2012, Postgraduate Artist Diploma 2014) won joint first prize at the Gerald Moore Award competition for accompanists.
Kate Sadler (LTCL, 1976) was presented with an award from the Australian National Association of the Teachers of Singing in recognition of her lifelong support of the profession.
Alumnus and Trinity Laban jazz tutor Mark Lockheart (LTCL, 1982) was nominated for a 2014 Mercury Award with his band Polar Bear. Erika Mädi Jones (Voice, Postgraduate Artist Diploma and MMus, 2014) was one of the finalists in the prestigious Wagner Society Singing Competition 2014. Reuben James (BMus jazz piano) won the Rising Star category in the 2014 British Jazz Awards. Other
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FROM DANCE ALUMNI
NEWS Alex Hemsley, Helena Webb and Rosie Heafford, (all BA 2008), had a two-week run of their work Dad Dancing at Battersea Arts Centre. Jessica Miller (BA, 2013) ran Swallowsfeet for the second consecutive year. This performance platform in Brighton is for emerging choreographers, performers and artists. Daisy Farris Dance Collective was featured at this year’s platform. The collective was founded by Daisy Farris (Transitions 2013) and all the members are fellow Transitions 2013 graduates. Sarah Golding (BA 2012, Transitions 2013) appeared at The Royal Court Theatre in Teh Internet is Serious Business.
Samuel Kennedy (BA, 2013), Emelie Wangstedt (BA, 2009), Megan Armishaw (Transitions, 2012), Rosalie Wahlfrid (MSc, 2010), Rebecca Stancliffe (BA, 2008), Alice Mackenzie (BA, 2007), Morrighan MacGillivray (BA 2013, Transitions 2014), Amanda PrinceLubawy (MSc, 2010) and Irina Baldini (DDS, 2001) performed work by Yvonne Rainer at the first major British retrospective of the choreographer’s early dance works. Adam Gain (BA 2010, Transitions 2012) is the latest alumnus to join Candoco Dance Company. He joins dancers Andrew Graham (BA, 2010) and Mirjam Gurtner (Transitions, 2002), as well as Co-artistic Directors Stine Nilsen (Transitions, 1997) and Pedro Machado (BA, 1998).
Zoi Dimitriou (PDCDS 1999, MA European Dance Theatre 2005) premiered her new work Chapter House at the Laban Theatre. She has also choreographed a piece for Transitions Dance Company for their 2015 season. Pritika Agarwal (MA Choreography, 2012) made her Bollywood debut as a choreographer in Vikram Bhatt’s new film.
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Photo: Rahel Vonmoos
Photo: Chris Nash
Sophie Farrel (BA, 2014) joined the CaraBdanza professional training programme in Madrid. CaraBdanza is co-directed by Carolina Márquez (PDDS, 2006). Sun Tawalwongsri (Diploma Dance Studies, 2008) has set up Sun Dance Theatre a new performance space in Bangkok.
Nicola Conibere (MA, the Body in Performance 2009) and Frank Bock (BA, 1987) along with Martin Hargreaves (Programme Lead MA the Body in Performance) curated a strand within the Mirrorcity exhibition at the Hayward Gallery. As part of this Nicola and Rahel Vonmoos (MA, Dance Theatre 2012) presented their work. Rahel has also been selected as one of the four Compass Commission artists for 2015–16. Also selected was Sarah Dowling (PDDS, 2001). They will be supported by The Greenwich Dance & Trinity Laban Partnership.
Alumnus, Honorary Fellow and Trinity Laban consultant Dr Valerie Preston-Dunlop (1949) collaborated with dance photographer and film maker Roswith Chesher (Diploma, 1991) to create, In Memoriam 2014, an original movement choir celebrating the legacy of Rudolf Laban. Kerry Nicholls (Dance Theatre, 1991) is the new artistic director for National Youth Dance Wales.
Lorea Burge (BA, 2014), Mathilde Lepage Bagatta (BA, 2014) and Sandro Piccirilli (BA, 2013) performed in Interactions of the Abstract Body by artist Josiah McElheny at the Whitechapel Gallery. The work was coordinated by Susan Sentler (MA Creative Practice, 2013). Thea Stanton’s (OYP 2012, MA Choreography 2013) work was featured in a special event series at the Royal Academy of Arts alongside work by Dance Faculty teacher Lizzi Kew Ross. The work featured alumni Verena Schneider (BA, 2012) and Gordon Raeburn (BA 2013, Transitions 2014).
CATCH UP WITH YOUR PEERS IN THE WORLD OF DANCE LOOK OUT FOR MORE ON OUR WEBSITE
Taylor Benjamin (Transitions, 2008) and Ian Garside (BA Dance Theatre, 2008) performed in DV8’s new production John at the National Theatre. Annarita Mazzilli (Transitions, 2007), David Ogle (Transitions, 2007) and Julia Thorneycroft (Dance Theatre Certificate, 1989) all showed work at the annual Emerge Festival in London. Charlotte Pook (BA 2011, Transitions 2012) also performed at the festival. Hayley Adams (Postgraduate Certificate Community Dance, 2009), Mary Davies (MA Dance Movement Therapy, 1993), Lucy Evans (Transitions, 2008), Jemima Hoadley (BA, 1997) and Jane McLean (Diploma Dance Science, 2008) have all been selected for Dance UK’s Dance Teacher Mentorship scheme. Matthew Bourne (BA 1985, Transitions 1986) toured his new production Lord of the Flies with his company New Adventures. Courtesy Matthew Bourne
Serena Chalker (MA the Body in Performance, 2014) premiered every/ nowhere at Fringe World Perth in Australia in February. Dr Naomi Lefebvre Sell (MA Choreography 2004, PhD 2013) co-authored a chapter in new dance book Dance, Somatics and Spiritualities.
Karen Gallagher MBE (OYC, 1985) has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moore’s University. Karen is Artistic Director of MDI. Maciej Kuźmiński (BA 2007, MA Choreography 2012) won the Audience Award at the Polish Dance Platform in Lublin for his haunting piece Room 40.
AWARDS, HONOURS AND COMPETITIONS Congratulations to our alumni for the many awards and prizes they have won. Pieces by Robbie Synge (PGCDC, 2008) and Hagit Yakira (MA European Dance Theatre, 2006) were both selected to be developed as part of the Respond Project in conjunction with Yorkshire Dance. Robert Clark (BA, 2003) was also one of the six shortlisted artists and Gemma Bass-Williams (BA, 2009) and Carl Pattrick (BA, 2009) featured in a piece by Sadhana Dance which was also shortlisted.
Courtesy Maciej Kuzminski
Emma Gladstone (PDCD 1985, Transitions 1986), who is Artistic Director at Dance Umbrella, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Trinity Laban.
Alison Whitaker (MSc Dance Science, 2011) has been appointed one of the first Data Scientists to work within an arts organisation. She will be working with the National Theatre, the Barbican and English National Opera.
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LOOK OUT FOR
REUNIONS
1975 music alumni reunion
Were you a student at the former Trinity College of Music in 1975?
If you were don’t miss out on the big reunion we are hosting at the faculty of music in July. Get in touch to find out more. During the last year we have hosted a series of alumni events across the globe from Seoul to New York and Rome to Tokyo. To keep updated with information about future reunions and events make sure you share your email address with us or let us know that you are interested to hear about them.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES Trinity Laban offers a flexible professional development programme for music and dance artists, teachers, tutors and community practitioners. Opportunities include: Dance Specialist Training Days for which alumni are entitled to a fantastic discount. These days cover a variety of subjects relevant to people working in dance in education, youth dance, community or health. The Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning (Children and Young People) aims to become an industry standard for teaching dance to children and young people. It offers training at weekends and holiday times and is relevant to practitioners across different dance styles. The Teaching Musician – Postgraduate Certificate/ Diploma is the only accredited, postgraduate music education professional development programme in the UK. It is designed for practitioners looking for a training programme that can be completed alongside a professional career. To find out more about any of our professional development course visit our website: trinitylaban.ac.uk
ALUMNI BENEFITS Do you know about the great range of benefits that you can access as an alumnus of Trinity Laban? Not only do you receive Encore but there are discounts available and on campus services you can access. Find out more at trinitylaban.ac.uk/alumni. Make sure you share your email address with us to stay up to date with latest information and offers. You will also receive the bi-monthly e-newsletter which is full of news from the alumni community and Trinity Laban.
KEEP UP TO DATE We love to hear what you have been doing since you graduated so get in touch and let us know. N.B. Please note that we cannot guarantee to include everything we receive and we reserve the right to edit submissions. Email alumni@trinitylaban.ac.uk Call + 44 (0)20 8305 9420 Post: Alumni Relations, King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London SE10 9JF Like facebook.com/trinitylabanalumni
FACULTY OF DANCE: LABAN BUILDING, CREEKSIDE, LONDON SE8 3DZ, TEL: +44 (0)20 8305 9400 FACULTY OF MUSIC: KING CHARLES COURT, OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE, GREENWICH, LONDON SE10 9JF, TEL: +44 (0)20 8305 4444 INFO@TRINITYLABAN.AC.UK | TRINITYLABAN.AC.UK | FOLLOW US ON: /TRINITYLABAN PATRON HRH THE DUKE OF KENT KG | CHAIRMAN LORD LIPSEY | PRINCIPAL PROF. ANTHONY BOWNE Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales. Company No: 51090 Registered. Charity No: 309998. King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College, London SE10 9JF.
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