Northern School of Contemporary Dance - Conservatoire for Dance ...

01.WelcomeFounded in 1985 as the first conservatoire dance schoolwithin the public sector, NSCD offers professional dancetraining for the most talented students, providing accessregardless of background or financial circumstances.02.Our CoursesNSCD offers full-time courses in contemporary dance atfoundation, degree and postgraduate/MA level. The followingintroductions give a brief outline of the courses on offer. Moredetailed information about each course is available in latersections of the prospectus.In a survey recently conducted by LeedsMetropolitan University, 100% of studentscommencing their professional training saidthey would recommend NSCD to prospectivestudents. Here are a few reasons why:– our courses are focused on practice-basedtraining, giving students daily techniqueclasses and plenty of time in the studio;– the school offers a friendly atmospherewhere students are supported to fulfil theirpotential as dance artists;– there are regular performance opportunities,including informal presentations, in-houseplatforms, site-specific work and full publicperformances in our own theatre and otherprofessional venues;– our state-of-the-art dance training facilitiesinclude eight large studios plus a superbtheatre and a well-stocked library;– our teaching staff are highly experiencedprofessionals in their chosen field. Theirunique experience, passion and expertiseinform our approach to dance trainingensuring that our students receive expertcoaching and advice on an individual basis.Northern School ofContemporary Dancewww.nscd.ac.ukwww.youtube.com/northernschoolPrincipal and Artistic Director– Gurmit HukamChair of Governors– Peter GruenPatrons– Akram Khan MBE– Darshan Singh BhullerStudents of NSCD are also part of theConservatoire for Dance and Drama.NSCD is an affiliate school of theConservatoire for Dance and Drama.Students registered at NSCD on fundedcourses are jointly registered with theConservatoire for Dance and Drama.The Conservatoire was established in2001 as a new higher education institutioncreated to secure the future of professionaltraining in dance, drama and circus artsin England. It has eight affiliates which areall small, specialist schools offering someof the best training in dance, drama andcircus arts to be found in the world. As apublicly-funded higher education institution,the Conservatoire ensures that studentsat its affiliate schools receive subsidisedtraining. This helps us to achieve our aimof taking students based on talentirrespective of background.As well as NSCD, there are sevenfurther Conservatoire schools.These are:– Bristol Old Vic Theatre Schoolwww.oldvic.ac.uk– Central School of Balletwww.centralschoolofballet.co.uk– The Circus Spacewww.thecircusspace.co.uk– The London Academy of Musicand Dramatic Artwww.lamda.org.uk– London Contemporary Dance Schoolwww.theplace.org.uk– Rambert School of Ballet andContemporary Dancewww.rambertschool.org.uk– Royal Academy of Dramatic Artwww.rada.orgFurther information about the schoolsand the Conservatoire is available at:www.cdd.ac.ukFoundation Course inContemporary DanceThis is a full-time one-year courseproviding intensive pre-vocational trainingin contemporary dance performance.It is especially suitable for applicantsintending to pursue professional dancetraining at degree level in the future.The course enables the developmentof technical, creative and performanceskills to a level that allows students toaudition for conservatoire dance trainingprogrammes, including NSCD’s BPA (Hons)in Contemporary Dance.Bachelor of PerformingArts (BPA) Honours Degreein Contemporary DanceThe three-year BPA degree programmeis designed specifically for the educationand training of contemporary danceartists. It encompasses in-depth studyof the technical and creative elementsof contemporary dance informed bycontextual and theoretical aspects of thediscipline. To be considered for this courseapplicants will normally have successfullycompleted 2 ‘A’ levels, a BTEC NationalDiploma, a Foundation Course or anequivalent qualification.Postgraduate Diplomain Contemporary DanceThis programme offers extensiveprofessional development opportunitiesthrough one of two distinct pathways:– the Postgraduate Company, Verve, whichoperates as a touring repertory dancecompany; and– the Graduate Apprenticeship Scheme,which includes an extended workplacement with a professional dancecompanyBoth pathways provide opportunitiesfor students to develop their ability toarticulate and contextualise their artisticunderstanding through practice, as well asthrough formal academic research.The course facilitates the transition fromtraining into professional practice byfocusing on the advancement of existingtechnical, creative and professional skills.It is designed for graduates of two orthree-year contemporary dance trainingprogrammes or for dance artists withsome experience.Postgraduate Diploma/MAin ChoreographyThis programme offers students aframework through which they cansignificantly develop their choreographicwork by undertaking advanced researchand development activities, whichinclude exciting opportunities to engagecollaboratively with artists from otherdisciplines (e.g. composers, visual artists,writers and film makers).To be considered for this programmeapplicants are normally expected to haveprior choreographic experience and havesuccessfully completed a three year dancetraining programme in the University orConservatoire sector. Entry is by audition,interview and the submission of a portfolioof choreographic work on DVD.The School’s higher education programmesare validated by the University of Kent.www.facebook.com/northernschoolwww.twitter.com/northernschoolFilip van Huffel with Verve 09 workshop with choreographer Henrietta Hale rehearsing solo for student showcaserehearsals with Debbie Johnson, Head of Choreography