Dance
Introduction
Welcome to the Department for Dance at Liverpool John Moores University.
Dance at LJMU is a practice-based discipline with an assessment profile which is essentially practical. The degree is designed to help students develop skills for employability by expanding their understanding and practical experience of the dance artist, whilst helping them to meet their career aspirations within the world of work. The degree reflects the changing nature of the dance industry, and is designed so that from Year 2 students will select a vocational bias either towards the artist as creator or the artist as a teacher-facilitator.
The programme of study will include: regular classes in contemporary techniques (Limon, Humphrey, Cunningham-based) as well as somatic practices. These are supported by other dance styles (e.g. Ballet, Jazz) which are taught alongside experiential anatomy and safe dance practice. Performance skills and projects devised by staff, visiting guest artists and peers, contribute to the varied performance environment and small scale touring opportunities that take place throughout the duration of the course. Choreographic workshops shape the students’ creative ability to facilitate the creation of work for stage, on camera with technology and for a variety of site specific platforms.
What career opportunities are available?
Many of our Dance graduates have gone on to perform professionally, form their own company, to work as freelance dance artists or to further their studies in performance or to gain their PGCE or MA in Dance. It is anticipated that student destinations will be varied and will fall into one or a combination of the following categories:
- Community Dance - past graduates have gained posts at Cheshire Dance Workshop, Dance East and Merseyside Dance Initiative.
- Independent choreographers/directors on a project basis.
- Management - former students have taken posts as administrators with Dance Exchange
- Professional theatre - former students have worked as performers in companies, which include Motion House, the touring company of ‘Fame’; Sakoba, Springs
- Dance Company and The San Diego Dance company (USA).
- Teaching - many students have taken up posts at schools and colleges around the country, teaching dance from Key Stage 3 to A Level and BTEC.
The Department also employs several freelance dance specialists, including:
- Gillian Hurst: Classical Ballet Technique
- Rachel Hayward: Classical Ballet Technique
- Jenny Rees: Cunningham Contemporary Technique
- Hollie Coleman : Contemporary Technique
- Michelle Brady: Contemporary Technique / Body Conditioning
- Heather Roberts : Jazz Dance Technique.
- Jenna Jungbluth: Jazz CPD Urban dance styles.
- Tracy Baxter: Jazz CPD and Commercial techniques
- Mary Pearson: Contact Improvisation / Choreography
Other visiting guest artists who have taught for the faculty in recent years have included:
Paula Hampson (contact Improvisation / performance project); Andrea Buckley (contact Improvisation / performance project); Matt Rutter (Physical Theatre); Sylvie Gatrill (performance skills); Ron Meadows (performance skills); Darren Suarez (CPD Contemporary / CPD Jazz Dance); Valerie Joyce Jones (Classical Ballet Technique / audition workshops); Sarah Black (CPD Contemporary Dance technique)
