The pulse of London’s creative energy beats strongest at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, an institution renowned for nurturing creativity, celebrating diversity and encouraging exploration. In the unrivalled capital crowned as the best place in the world to study, a forward-thinking, multinational group of creatives are redefining music and dance. Together, representing various faculties, they connect to create. In the process, they forge new pathways, challenge conventions, and weave together the threads of artistry in harmony.
Those who join them quickly uncover Trinity Laban’s unparalleled dedication to nurturing skills for future careers. True enough, its legacy of alumni success and employability speaks volumes, as countless graduates have kept busy and made their mark on the world stage.
Thanks to the support of a graduate Innovation Award, Sunniva Moen Rørvik and Emma Greene developed and launched Back on the Map, an interactive arts festival exploring African diasporic dance history. Sula Castle, Roseann Dendy and Daze Hingorani-Short are three dance artists who graduated from the BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance degree in 2021, started their careers as the Tough Boys Dance Collective and were selected as Sadler’s Wells Young Associates 2023/24.
Alumni Sarah Golding and Yukiko Masui have both achieved successful careers as individuals, including Sarah performing in STOMP and Yukiko working with Coldplay. Together they’ve collaborated and choreographed work, and currently work with undergraduate dance students to developed new work.
Others have etched their names in music history. Jazz percussion alum Femi Koleoso is bandleader and drummer of the award-winning London group, Ezra Collective. He also tours with Gorillaz and Jorja Smith, is a DJ and collaborates with global brands including Louis Vuitton, Nike and Apple Music.
Phoebe Noble, BA (Hons) Musical Theatre founded 13 Months Theatre Company, and with fellow alum Jessie Hadley created Grumble Cat, a new puppet production. Following its successful run at the Little Angel Theatre Islington the company are taking the show to Kidzfield at Glastonbury 2023.
Noelia Cotuna studied Harp in Trinity Laban’s outstanding Strings Department with Gabriella Dall’Olio and became the youngest ever harpist to join the Berliner Philharmoniker Karajan Academy.
Soprano Nardus Williams is establishing herself as one of the most exciting British singers of her generation. Winner of the Rising Talent award at the 2022 International Opera Awards, her upcoming highlights of the 2022/23 season include a return to the Glyndebourne tour as Countess Le Nozze di Figaro.
Such outcomes are typical of those with five-star qualifications, precisely the kind Trinity Laban is known for offering. “Looking back, I can honestly say that my undergraduate at Trinity Laban provided me with a foundation on which to build; through the supportive atmosphere and inspiring teaching,” says soprano Nardus Williams, who recently performed at the BBC Proms.
The support and inspiration Williams speak of are part of the Trinity Laban undergraduate experience, which can be accessed by choosing one of five dynamic pathways. The BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance nurtures the technical, creative and performance skills students need to evolve into individual and versatile dance artists. The first-of-its-kind BSc (Hons) Dance Science investigates dance practice broadly, exploring areas such as training and performance, dancer health and safe practice.
With a BMus (Hons) Music Composition / Performance / Jazz / Performer-Composer, budding artists prepare for the diverse demands of the music profession. The BA Music Performance and Industry guides students through developing personal artistic identities. Meanwhile, the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Performance fosters the skills, attributes and knowledge needed for learners to pursue careers as creative entrepreneurs or singers/actors/dancers in the musical theatre industry.
The experiential nature of these programmes solidifies Trinity Laban’s reputation as a leading institution in the UK for graduate employability — a fact proven by rankings and recognition. In fact, just last year, it was once again recognised as a world-leading specialist provider by the Office for Students. Nothing less is expected of conservatoires that effortlessly bridge the gap between academia and the professional world.
For instance, BMus students in Voice perfect their craft alongside experts, such as award-winning international vocalist Ailish Tynan. Dance students work with thriving choreographers and creatives from the wider industry to experiment artistically while building on their technical skills. Recently, artist and choreographer in Residence Theo TJ Lowe worked with dance graduates to create a film entitled “Let me move,” which explores release through the breath. It was performed in Trinity Laban’s 300-seat dance theatre, released online and screened at an international film festival.
Immersive learning experiences are further made possible by the institution’s professional partnerships with world-leading artistic and educational organisations. These include the BBC Concert Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Candoco Dance Company, English National Opera, Black Lives in Music, Black Artists in Dance, and Company Wayne McGregor. These connections do wonders in helping students blend theory with practice.
“My favourite performance experience was definitely the second-year Historical Project module,” says Jordan Lee Pirrie from the UK, who graduated with a BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance. “Over three weeks, we recreated Wayne McGregor’s ‘Polar Sequences’ and performed it in the Laban Theatre. It was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had in my life.”
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