Encompass Dance Conference 2024

The Encompass Dance Conference is BACK for it's 2nd year - come and get re-inspired for the new term ahead!

This 1 day event will see 4 industry experts join us live on Zoom for a series of CPD webinars covering a range of non-syllabus topics. From teaching musical rhythms to assist in your Ballet classes to exploring choreographic processes from an inclusive perspective, we're sure there will be something for everyone.

All talks will be recorded and sent to attendees after the event if they can’t watch live.

TIMETABLE:

10am – 11:15am: Approach to Full Time Training and Vocational School Settings with Denise Whiteman (Director of Dance Training at Elmhurst Ballet School)

Denise will discuss preparation for full-time training for students entering Year 7. She will look at how to research the right schools for individual dancers and getting ready for auditions. The session will also cover important questions students may ask themselves: Is full time training right for me? Why should I choose full time training? When is the right time to start training full time?

11:45am – 1:00pm: Pedagogy, Practice and 21st Century Relevance: Teaching Through Fear and the Pedestal Effect with Dr Garry Clarke (Lecturer, Teacher & BBO Examiner)

This webinar will explore and discuss the pedagogical practices and curriculum within dance education and their relevance for student dancers in the 21st century, reflecting upon wider cultural and sociological factors that influence and impact dance education and training.

2:00pm – 3:15pm: Choreographic Composition: An Insight into a Creative Process with Joe Powell-Main (Dancer & BBO Patron)

As the new term approaches, many teachers and dancers will be developing work for upcoming performances across the year. In this session bbodance Patron Joe Powell-Main shares insight into his choreographic process.

As a disabled professional dancer, Joe has developed his creative and choreographic skills to execute different movements in a way that suits his capabilities. This interest in creation and choreography has grown and resulted in him being part of performance projects as both a performer and choreographer, with recent choreographic commissions being shared and performed at the Royal Opera House as part of The Royal Ballet’s Festival of New Choreography and Next Generation Festival.

Joe will talk about his own choreographic processes and how his experiences coming back to dance as a disabled performer has helped enrich his choreographic experiences. The session will hopefully be a great way inspire show/choreographic preparations for the upcoming academic year.

3:45pm – 5:00pm: Focusing on Musical Rhythms with David Plumpton (Dance accompanist & Composer)

David will explore various musical rhythms and time signatures which appear in Ballet music and beyond. This webinar aims to enhance our understanding of musicality and how we can assist our dancers to delve into this and develop it in their own practice.  

The conference will be worth 6 hours of CPD and will be part of the new CPD & Membership deal for BBO teachers - check your emails for more information in August.