Cohort 02

The 2024/2025 academic year marked the second year of the MA Dance: Performance programme, with students working under the leadership of Course Leader Tom English, Unit Leaders Tina Afiyan Breiova and Andrew Sanger, and Interim Unit Leader Aishwarya Raut. Cohort 02 comprised 30 highly skilled and deeply committed students from across the globe, each bringing a rich range of cultural perspectives and professional experiences to a year defined by intensive training, rigorous performance projects, and critical academic reflection.

The programme welcomed an exceptional roster of high-profile project leaders from the contemporary dance sector. Project Leaders for the year included the Olivier Award-winning Dickson Mbi Company (Repertory Project), Holly Blakey (Research and Development Project), Theo Clinkard (New Creation Project), Benjamin Jonsson (Commercial Project), Hannes Langolf (Verbatim Physical Theatre Project), Steve Kirkham (Movement for Film Project), Seke Chimutengwende (Improvisation Project), and Alexander Whitley Dance Company (Experimental Technology Project).

The integration of live and digital performance modes throughout the year fostered a strong sense of artistic community within the cohort while expanding students’ professional versatility. From stage to screen, rehearsal studio to set, students gained a breadth of applied experiences designed to support sustainable and adaptive portfolio careers.

Prior to undertaking their final independent unit, students assumed full creative and organisational responsibility for a student-led symposium titled “____ Gallery.” Acting as directors, producers, managers, and choreographers, they curated and presented original work while demonstrating the strategic, operational, logistical, and collaborative competencies essential to freelance practice within the contemporary dance sector.

During the final independent unit, students dispersed internationally to attend leading festivals, perform, develop new work for stage and film, and engage with individual industry mentors. This period allowed them to deepen existing professional pathways and explore new areas of contemporary practice. The cohort then reconvened in London for their final assessments, completing their MA qualification before embarking on the next phase of their careers as freelance international dance artists.

Alongside project work, students participated in a dynamic programme of classes, workshops, and seminars led by acclaimed international practitioners including Rakesh Sukesh, Ponciano Almeida, David Kam, Amarnah Ufuoma Cleopatra, Sadé Alleyne, Olu Alatise, Kenny Wing Tao Ho, Siyu Lu, Wenning Wang, Lucia Chocarro, Grace Nicol, and Chisato Ohno.

The delivery of the year was further supported by Graduate Assistants Quincey Kawahara and Laure Dubanet, and Admissions Graduate Assistant Leila Carroll.