Professional Classes

Following a short warm up, the class will be introduced to the fundamentals of locking through drills which will progress to travelling phrases. Throughout the week we will work the relationship of movements to different rhythms and melodies. There is sure to be plenty of funky moves and grooves during this class.

We will work on short combos that will incorporate Locking movements but fused with a splash of other styles including Hip-Hop, House and Latin.

We will end with a short freestyle section where we practice what we learnt and express our own unique character as dancers! (a must for being a great locker)

About

Born and raised in Spanish Harlem, NYC, Noel Rodriguez is a choreographer, dancer and actor with 24 years of experience working in the US and internationally in Europe and Mexico.

Noel is an all styles dancer, versatile in popping, locking, breaking, and house. He has performed and shared the floor with many Hip Hop pioneers.

His motivation as a choreographer is to express the joy, fun and power of dance through his dynamic, feel good moves which effortlessly blends multiple styles.

Noel has taught for KR3Ts, Peridance and Brickhouse, NYC alongside being a guest teacher for other organizations throughout United States. He recently relocated to the UK and is excited to be part of the UK dance scene.

Social Media

Instagram: @frostlock82

Drawing on his years of experience with Richard Alston Dance Company, James uses his innate sense of musicality to explore phrasing through movement. This dynamic Cunningham influenced technique class will strengthen and increase awareness of the body. Starting with a series of simple back exercises, the class work then develops in to longer travelling sequences, exploring a fresh approach to direction and timing.

About

James graduated from Central School of Ballet in 2006 and has since danced with Northern Ballet, Peter Schaufuss Ballet, Theater Ulm and Richard Alston Dance Company. Following his retirement from the stage in 2018, he continued to work closely with Alston and fulfilled the role of Rehearsal Director for the Company in 2019. James currently works as a freelance teacher in both Contemporary and Ballet and delivers regular classes for The Place on their Adult courses. He also teaches at Middlesex University, DanceEast and English National Ballet.

Social Media

Instagram: @mr_jjstackhouse

This contemporary ballet class invites us to find our way of moving through a ballet technique. Marie-Astrid loves to use breathing techniques to start the class with a state of relaxation and slowly wake up the body by articulating the feet, turn out, etc. It is a journey to rediscover our body's ability, freedom and technique by softening our approach to ballet and deleting expectations.

About

Marie-Astrid Mence was a former student of the Higher National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Paris and a scholarship student at Alvin Ailey School. Marie-Astrid joined Ballet Black in 2014 up to 2020 where she performed numerous pieces from Mark Bruce, Will Tuckett, Martin Lawrence, Mthuthuzeli November, Sophie Laplane, Christopher Marney, Michael Corder, Cathy Marson, Arthur Pita, Christopher Hampson, Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa.

She joined Phoenix Dance Company in 2015 for a year where she worked with Sharon Watson, Itsik Galili, Kate Flatt and Darshan Singh Buhller. In 2016 she was promoted dancer of "the month" of February by the Magazine Dancing Times UK. In 2018 Marie-Astrid featured in Disney's series 'Find Me in Paris' Season 2 and 3 (2019) and OCS production series 'L'Opera' where she was a body double for the 2nd female role in 2020. At the end of that year 2020, Marie-Astrid performed, wrote and shared a story in the Nowness short film 'The Truth of Being a black Ballerina' by Rebecca Murray. In 2021, Marie-Astrid was featured in Moeasy, Jords, Masego, Cascade music videos and Alexandra Luxem's short film.

In 2022, she featured in Ulu’s series ‘Spellbound’ where she was a body double for the 1st female role and also featured in ‘Queen Charlotte’ in the ball scene. In the same year, she performed a 15-minute solo in ‘Oklahoma!’ as the lead dancer at the Young Vic then made her West End debut in 2023 at the Wyndhams Theatre. Recently, she performed as a TEDX speaker in Paris where she talked about the notion of success and the courage to find our voice in a homogeneous environment.

Social Media

Instagram: @marie_astrid_mence

The class focuses on David Zambrano's Flying-Low technique and Passing Through system. Dancers will spiral, run, slide, and sing to pass through the floor and other bodies, playing with speed and energy. The session begins by introducing the basic principles of gathering and sending to connect with the whole room and the group. Dancers will then practice sequences of set material with different pathways by running and passing through each other. The class also includes instant composition tasks and improvised performances. Peer work will facilitate collaboration and analysis, and the session will be much fun!

About

Luca Braccia is a London-based dance artist and academic with over ten years of international experience. He most recently performed for Blanca Li, Amina Khayyam Dance Company, LîLa Dance, Fuora Dance Project and Dora Frankel Ensemble. Since 2015, he has directed BARBERDANCE / lucabraccia&Co. choreographing and performing in China, Italy, Portugal, and the UK. He is currently teaching for the English National Ballet School, DanceEast CAT, Imperial Society of Teachers Dancing and others; he is also the Artistic Director of The Remarkable Dance Company. In 2019, with Leila McMillan and Julia Testa, he funded Passing Through London, supported by Studio Wayne McGregor. After studying at the National Dance Academy of Rome, LCDS and NSCD, he trained with David Zambrano.

Social Media

Instagram: @Luca.braccia2

Classes are partly a culmination of 16 years worth of research into exchanging ideas between capoeira and contemporary dance, specifically the dynamic release technique and floor work. These organic forms of movement have at their centre a focus on nature, creativity, and improvisation, as well as an emphasis on spiral dynamics and the connection between body, mind and spirit. In these classes, dances will investigate ways to incorporate the total physical awareness necessary in capoeira, whose roots partly lie in the art of fighting, into the more meditative world of release technique. Through capoeira, Aneta hopes to open more opportunities for self-expression within the medium of contemporary dance — using the quality and philosophy behind the movements as inspiration, without direct imitation. This poetic playfulness and animalistic physicality will provide a new and exciting dimension for dancers alike to explore.

About

For the past 16 years Aneta has developed and refined their professional movement practice & teaching in dance, yoga, and Capoeira and holds two Masters’ degrees in movement research. Aneta has been teaching all these disciplines to people of all ages, from absolute beginners to professional dancers and movers.

Aneta Zwierzynska has been and still is teaching worldwide, in various countries so can very easily adapt to cultural differences and to people from all walks of life. Ever since the start of the Covid lockdown in March 2020 she has been successfully teaching online.

Social Media

Instagram: @anetamoves

Luke teaches a dynamic released based class which is informed by improvisation and somatic practices. The class will explore body patterns focused around energising the core of the body, and connecting to the ground with our weight. Usually beginning with improvisation/experiential anatomy, dancers will then explore set exercises and sequences to develop our bodily organisation and connectivity. As well as technical challenges, a sense of dynamic versatility, a playful questioning and finding both clarity and spontaneity are encouraged.

About

Luke began training at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and completed his BA Hons degree at Laban. In 2009 he joined post graduate dance company Edge at London Contemporary Dance School. Professionally he has performed for a variety of companies (Punchdrunk, Flexer and Sandiland, Janine Harrington) internationally alongside working with visual artists performing in galleries (Tate, Hayward Gallery) His choreographic work has been shown at Canterbury Festival, Saddlers Wells (Damn Fine Dance at Elixir Festival), The Place, Siobhan Davies Studios, Move it 2016 and Arts Depot. His most recent work commissioned by Loop Dance Company is currently touring the UK. Luke also has a passion for teaching and has delivered classes and workshops with Greenwich Dance, The Place, Independent Dance, Laban, London Studio Centre, Salzburg Academy of Experimental Dance, Shobana Jeyasingh and Candoco.

Social Media

Instagram: @luke.does.dances

Attack Release - The center of the body as the origins of dynamics.

Level: Suitable for professional and vocational level dancers.

Jose’s technique class is fast paced and aims to improve stamina through precise and simple movement patterns. The principles of the class are influenced by a diversity of traditional forms such as Kathak, Flamenco and martial arts, which are brought into a contemporary dance context. The initial warm up is followed by more complex movement material with a dynamic focus on the concept of ‘attack and release’. With a passion for rhythm, Jose often uses counts to influence the dynamic of the movement and spinning to engage the core. All of this work prepares the body to travel - exploring the broadest movement in space, whilst making fast, clean transitions from large to detailed.

About

Jose started his career in Andalusia where he began performing as a Flamenco dancer. Slowly the world of contemporary dance became more visible as he worked throughout Europe performing with Charleroi/Danses, Ballet de Marseille, T.R.A.S.H, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance and Akram Khan Company. As a rehearsal director and assistant choreographer Jose has worked on several creations for Akram Khan Company, including DESH, iTMOi, TOROBAKA, Until the Lions, Chotto Desh, London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony, and Sylvie Guillem’s farewell tour Life in Progress.

In 2011, Jose started to study Kathak under Akram’s guidance. Finding many parallels between this training and his early studies of Flamenco, Jose reconnected with his roots and began to explore traditional forms in a contemporary context. As a result he created 'Silk Road' (2017), which has toured in 6 countries to date, and 'Carmen' (2020).

Jose’s independent choreographic commissions include, 'Ki' for Phoenix Dance Theatre and English National Ballet School; 'Selah' for ZfinMalta Dance Ensemble; 'A Thousand Shepherds' for ACE Dance and Music, later restaged with Cape Dance Company; 'Arctic' for LCDS; 'Regnum' for Festival International de Music y Danza de Granada; 'Glansvit' for Norrdans; 'Bhaj' for SEAD/Bodhi Project; 'SAM' for Area Jeune Ballet; and 'For You' – a film collaboration with London Mozart Players.

In 2019, Jose choreographed the opening ceremony of the Davis Cup by Rakuten in Madrid. He is listed in the new edition of 50 Contemporary Choreographers, an international publication by Routledge. His new production of 'Carmen' will tour from autumn 2021. He is developing a new full length solo base in the Hero With A Thousand Faces.

During 2022 and 2023, Jose embarked in a new adventure diving into the world of the musical theatre. First as an Associate Choreographer for Cabaret at the Kit Kat club. Then choreographing the flamenco scene and performing as the character of Rico at Strictly Ballroom the musical by Baz Lurhmann.

Social Media

Instagram: @joseagudodancecompany

Kayleigh’s class focuses on the dynamic movement whilst maintaining technique.

Her classes are influenced from the foundations of Graham technique whilst experimenting with her own twist of movement she has developed professionally throughout the years as well as being physical. Expect to build up to a lot of movement in and out of the space and great music that you can sing along to.

About

Originally from Manchester, Kayleigh trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Verve ’14. Kayleigh has worked with many people such as Marvel Productions, ACE Dance and Music, FRONTLINE dance, Southpaw Dance Company, Chhaya Collective, Anna Watkins Dance Company, Tino Sighal, to name a few.

She is the choreographer and Artistic Director of Company K, making autobiographical work using her own experiences to demonstrate shared commonalities with her works; 'The Left one out', ‘Familiar’ and 'ROOM' in collaboration with Company Nil. Company K aims to continually create a safe practice and space for all creatives working on any project.

Kayleigh has received commissions from We are Unlimited, in collaboration with writer Charlie Thorpe, 'Postcards from bed' and East London Dance 'OUR HOUSE' to create an event with Daniel Phung called 'ReConnect.'

Kayleigh is also a guest lecturer, credits include; LSC, NSCD, Leeds Beckett University, Swindon Dance and teaches many Professional Dance Companies.

Social Media

Instagram: @kayleighpricedance, @companyk__

The class aims to develop a three dimensional awareness and attention through improvisation tasks and phrases. Dancers will start gently by arriving into our bodies with our breaths and mobilising though our skeletal structure. Akshay creates space for exploration through a guided improvisation and the class includes phrases from my movement practice. He explores and encourages verticality, grounding, use of scale in the body and the space, three dimensional awareness, use of the eyes, articulation of the hands by offering tools to access these. Akshay knowledges draw from both western contemporary forms and principles from non European traditions. Akshay is looking for dancers to work with in 2024 so would be great to meet new dance artists.

About

Akshay Sharma is an independent choreographer and performer born and brought up in India and now based in London where he moved to after graduating from Northern Contemporary Dance School. As an artist, he is passionate about the possibilities of composition through his own writing, singing and performing. He has been developing a form of lyrical composition for movement where he applies the structures and approach of Indian classical music tradition.

As well as performing with Scottish Dance Theatre, Vidya Patel amongst others, his choreographic work has been supported by Akram Khan Company, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Yorkshire Dance, Kala Sangam, Brick Box Rooms, London Contemporary Dance School, Dance Umbrella, Dance City and Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Social Media

Instagram: @akshasha_
Twitter: @akshasha_

Mathieu Geffré has been developing his practice in response to his physical discoveries across his career as a dancer. Mathieu delivers a training that allows dancers to remain versatile and available to different creative approaches.

The class lightly borrows from the fundamental patterns of  Cunningham technique, supported by a sensorial approach inspired by Fasciatherapy. The intention is to establish a sense of verticality without compromising the notion of movement.

Supported by an important use of musicality, the class focuses building a strong sense of centre, alertness whilst connecting with the pleasure of motion.

About

After graduating from the Paris Conservatoire in 2006, Mathieu Geffré has danced across Europe for 15 years. As a member of companies such as Dansgroep Amsterdam, Noord Nederlandse Dans, and National Dance Company Wales, he collaborated with numerous leading choreographers including Itzik Galili, Johan Inger, Mark Baldwin, Christopher Bruce and Angelin Preljocaj among others.

Alongside his performing career Mathieu has created and presented work on many European stages. Mathieu launched Rendez-Vous dance in February 2021. He is the first recipient of the Made In The North East commission award enabling him to create The Monocle. He also received multiple awards for his touring work 'What songs may do...' Mathieu has made commissioned work for Nationaltheatre Mannheim, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, CobosMika Seeds Company and Boston Dance Theatre. He is a celebrated dance facilitator who is regularly invited as a guest teacher for Company Wayne McGregor, Matthew Bourne New Adventures, Ballet de l’Opera du Grand Avignon and Venice Biennale among others.

Social Media

Instagram: @mathieugeffre
Twitter: @mathieugeffre

This ballet class enhances stability and strength from a place of relaxed weight, breath, and balance. Dancers will focus on connecting to a central, grounded axis from which to lengthen and reach, working with a free, three-dimensional upper body. After a simple barre, the centre work will include spatial challenges and attention to the gaze. Lots of travelling and jumping at the end will challenge stamina as well as conclude the class with humour, musicality, and the sheer joy of momentum such as is often found in folk dance – a great inspiration for me.

About

Simone Mousset is an award-winning Luxembourgish choreographer based between London, Luxembourg, and France. Through the creation of playful and poetic worlds situated between fiction and a heightened reality, her work shifts the familiar and opens up spaces for existential questionings steeped in humour, strangeness, the surreal and the fantastical. Simone's practice spans dance, voice work, theatre/performance, visual art, and writing. Simone is also the creator of the fictitious Ballet National Folklorique du Luxembourg, which is part of the Luxembourg's forgotten, mythical past, and currently on tour in Japan. Simone is a Work Place artist at The Place.

Social Media

Instagram: @simone.mousset
Twitter: @simone_mousset

Charlotte will invite improvisation and share elements of Scottish Highland dancing.

She will share her practice 'my body is my home' to warm up the body and internalise. This practice uses imagination and creativity to begin dancing from the pelvic area.

The class will then explore different improvisational scores, using breath and voice work alongside concepts of Scottish Highland dancing; including resistance, pride, shame and rain.

About

Graduating from London Contemporary Dance School, Charlotte works and performs with independent dance theatre companies across Scotland, London, and Bern.

She created a five-star critically acclaimed solo work, ‘And’ which is currently world-touring, and will premiere her next work Futuristic Folktales in Spring 2024. The new work will be performed at The Place, Tramway, The Space and Tojo Theatre.

She co-founded movement bands BADBODYCHAOSCODE and Die Berner Band who have performed at venues such as the V&A Museum and TANZhAUS Bern. She also passionately teaches Scottish highland dance and improvisation whilst advocating for reproductive justice and body politics.

Social Media

Instagram: @iamcharlottemclean