Darting down the Dancer´s pathway to success

Spring is in the air and the Dance Department at Hampton Academy is most definitely blooming with the season!  Not only have students performed in two different shows over the past two weekends (DVD footage and students write ups to follow), there is also a fantastic array of projects currently being undertaken. Plus, many up and coming opportunities that students will be taking part in; all before the end of term in just 6 weeks!

CARNIVAL — Performance on Sunday 12th June 2011
This project has been offered to us by the Richmond Arts Service and is
open to talented students from Years 7 and 8. It consists of three rehearsals and a performance; the final piece is being performed at the Twickenham Carnival and will be of African influence. The piece will be exploring the ideas of ‘carnival', and celebrating the idea of freedom which the enslaved Africans felt after the slave trade was abolished.

We are currently one week into the project, have 22 talented students signed up to the project and I cannot wait to report more on this fun educational performance opportunity....watch this space!

LOCATE — Performance on TUESDAY 5th and WEDNESDAY 6th JULY 2011
Locate dance Project is a site specific piece and has been offered to those in Years 9 and 10 who are interested in developing their idea of ‘dance´ and where/how it can be performed. Locate is very much aimed at the students ‘owning´ the project and all decisions about the project being made with the students and mainly by the students.

Firstly, the students had to decide what genre of dance they wanted. We had a huge list which included contemporary,  hip hop, break dance, jazz, water aerobics to name a few. However, after discussion with the students we decided that the main style they wanted to use was contemporary dance with an urban twist. So, we sent this information off to the Richmond Arts Service (R.A.S) who had the tough job of short listing two choreographers from the many applications from professional choreographers wishing to work with the students of Hampton Academy. Once the R.A.S had chosen two potential choreographers they delivered a brief presentation to the students where we saw show reels from Marie Gabrielle Rotie and Robert Hilton. After careful consideration by the students they decided that Robert Hilton was the man for the job and so contracts were drawn up and the work commenced.

Within Robert Hilton´s brief for the project it explained how he wanted to work with the students and extract their knowledge of the local area out of their minds and into their bodies. He also wants to use sculptors, landscapes and architecture of the surrounding areas as a stimulus, and the primary research for this piece will come from the student´s knowledge and experience.

One week into this project and already the students are looking like professional dancers. Hilton commented the students focus and maturity was superb, and that he can´t wait to continue collaborating with the students and gaining insightful knowledge
from them and Hampton Academy´s neighbouring historical events. This project lasts for 6 weeks in total, with the performance venue yet to be decided by Hilton and the Students...so...watch this space for more information about this electrifyingly and exciting experience for both the students and the community.

Robert Hylton´s Showreel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwjTGEqIFNg

English National Ballet
Another prestigious link that Hampton Academy has gained this year is one with the English National Ballet. This extremely reportable company have offered work experience for our students who are interested in furthering themselves within the Arts on completion of their studies.  Below is a list of the different types of roles students can apply for:
  •        Teaching assistant to a professional dance leader.
  •        Visit the English National Ballet to watch classes and how a professional choreographer works with the company.
  •         Assist with filing and sorting through the archives of the productions.
  •         To assist in writing a dance report about past and present pieces.

I shall look forward to reporting to you more on this new venture once students have been placed within these roles.

Miss Wasley, Assistant Programme Leader: Dance