This is some information i have taken out from the Lisa Almun form (LUTSF) I filled out for a travelling scholarship fund. I would like to do a summer school at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and this explains in more detail about the project and why it would benefit me.
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance is the UK’s only Conservatoire of music and contemporary dance. Leaders in music and contemporary dance education, they provide exciting opportunities for the public to encounter dance and music, and access arts health programmes. The unequalled expertise and experience of staff and world-class facilities are housed in landmark buildings. This is an exciting project to be with a range of teachers that have someone special about them as individuals, such as the different techniques they have master classes in, always have a different teacher in, which shows that you’re going to get top quality teaching because they focus on that technique/style and they have most probably been well trained in it. At Trinity Laban they teach Graham technique which I have studied before and have a greater interest in studying further with this; Limon, which I would like to learn more about. I know a bit about the technique already that it focuses on movement of the breath through the body, the dynamic use of weight in each body part but the fluid succession of one movement to the next; contact improvisation, which I have never taken part in but would love to have a master class in. There are lots more of contemporary/modern dance techniques available at trinity Laban as well as other styles of dance that I have previously been trained in such as jazz and some hip hop, these would be a great opportunity to carry on with my training at a higher level as at the summer school they have lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced so there are something for everyone and there is no audition process.
Also available is health classes such as yoga and Pilates. These types of classes would benefit me because it would make me more aware of my body and can become more balanced and build up my core and lower body strength.
Taking part in this summer school, not only will give me intense training needed for a dancer that wants to be a professional, it also gives me opportunities for performing in the annual performances and to fellow students to show what each class is leaning/doing. As you don’t have to take part in every type or style of dance (because there is such a range) it gives the students see what else is available and perhaps want to join in next year. Joining a summer school is important for me as being at university I get intense training however this stops at the end of term so getting extra training will not only help with my knowledge on dance but keep my fitness level high.
I think that the summer school will be a good experience because although people go there to have fun, a lot will take it more seriously and will enhance your training you already had because it could be quite hard core.
Trinity Laban have a lot of professional dancers/choreographers from dance companies from all over the world, come into the workshops with the students to give more of an insight in the industry and help students get more experience of how choreographers work in the “real world” because they know what it’s like having gone through the training themselves as a young dancer and working now in the industry. Although they do similar things like that elsewhere, Trinity Laban seem to have visitors coming in frequently which I think would benefit me.
Whatever level a person studying or taking a summer school course at Trinity Laban, the school enables you to fulfil your potential to become a dancer and make you a creative leader of the field of your choice, be it music or dance.
Why do you need to embark on the project at this time?
I would like to further my practical dance training and have a wide style choice, therefore choosing to go to Trinity Laban will enhance this further as they have a very wide of genres and styles to choose from. I think also the different contemporary techniques will help me through university as I would have a greater understanding of how to move and how to switch from one style to another, and that what dancing is about; not just having one movement style.
How will your project contribute to, and inform, both your personal development and your professional practice?
This project would contribute incredibly for my professional practise and would be developed over the 2 week summer course by the range of techniques involved and the different ways different teachers teach you. I feel as if I would learn material more quickly which would then give me the confidence to go to well-known places and audition etc. Also I would be learning how the industry works, I have a higher chance of understanding it to a level in which I can successfully get a job working in London or even abroad after my degree as I would also have the skills to communicate with others from different parts of the world. Although this seems like a high expectation in just 2 weeks, however I think that because it’s an intense 2 weeks I feel I would learn a lot and a lot quicker.
Laura Goodman Dance 