RICHMOND SCHOOL DANCE STUDENTS INSPIRED BY PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCE.

40 dance students in Years 9, 10 and 11 from Richmond School visited Leeds recently for a day of workshops delivered by professional dancers and choreographers, including a performance of the piece students are studying for their GCSE dance exams.

Mrs. Fox, Lead Teacher of Dance at Richmond School and Sixth Form College, organised the trip and provided this report:

“The day started with an exclusive workshop at Northern Ballet, headquarters of Phoenix Dance Theatre, one of the UK’s leading contemporary dance companies. The workshop was led by two dance professionals, including Yasmin Patel, a current company dancer. 

“In the 1.5 hour workshop our students took part in a fun technique class and then learned some choreography from Christopher Bruce’s Shadows. This movement was taken directly from the repertoire which is performed by company dancers. All of our students tackled it head on and succeeded in performing it at the end –  extremely impressive, particularly from our Year 9 students!

“The second part of the event was held at Carriageworks Theatre, a 20 minute walk across Leeds. This session consisted of an interactive lecture demonstration where students analysed the features of the work through tasks and discussion, led by schools’ lead Rachel Thompson and four company dancers. As this is one of the professional dance works we study on the GCSE course, it was hugely insightful and allowed our students to develop a more in-depth knowledge and understanding of the piece. Our students were totally immersed in the experience and were all proactive in filling in their booklets with some even getting involved in discussions with the session leaders. Arlo Whatley and Francesca Rouse were even brave enough to get up on stage to explore the costumes and set design used in the work and demonstrate in front of the audience. See photos!

“The event ended with a live performance of the work (Shadows by Christopher Bruce) which was the cherry on the cake for our dancers who left the theatre feeling so excited and inspired! Every single student displayed immaculate behaviour throughout the day. They were enthusiastic and polite and it was a privilege to see them thriving in a professional dance environment.”