Summer Intensive 2024: Learning to (give and) take the lead

This eclectic mix of inspiring courses with artists from the leading edge of community and participatory dance is a chance for you to learn, experiment and reflect with like-minded colleagues.

There are ten courses to choose from, taking place virtually and in person. All of the courses are:

• Suitable for all career stages - often encouraging an effective blend of them for mutual learning and co-mentorship - for students, teachers and leaders of community and participatory dance and other performing arts specialists with an interest in the field

• Focused time to fill up on inspiration for the year to come by deepening your current practice or exploring new avenues

• Cost-conscious with fee reductions for Members of People Dancing

• A chance to network with peers as passionate as you from near and far, the welcoming People Dancing team and a general emphasis on respite, refreshment, and the joy of together!

Come and experience a day of joyful learning with Corali, one of the UKs longest established and most celebrated inclusive dance companies!

As well as having fun moving together and meeting each other, you will also experience and explore how Artistic Director, Sarah Archdeacon and Associate Artistic Director, Housni Hassan aka DJ, developed their working partnership. As a result of this partnership, DJ’s professional career as a learning disabled dance artist has flourished and he works equitably with Sarah as teacher, choreographer and key decision maker at Corali and beyond into the sector.

It will take your understanding of inclusive dance practice to the next level and you will emerge with greater awareness, insight and confidence for the future. It is also a rare opportunity to do this alongside others with similar experiences and commitment from all around the UK.

As ever, with a People Dancing experience, we seek to balance rigour and expertise with a supportive atmosphere and a passion for access.

The course follows on from the People Dancing and Corali Dance Company led, Leadership in Action Symposium on 26 June this year, with supporting partners Tin Arts, Stopgap Dance Company, Dancesyndrome and Anjali. In a first of its kind, the symposium was specifically for learning disabled dance leaders from across the UK, to come together in one space and experience the joy of dance alongside one another, as well as taking part in discussions that steer a call to action to improve opportunities for learning disabled dance leaders in the industry.

This course offers a rare opportunity for learning disabled adults with minimum two years dance experience and dancers, teaching artists and community practitioners who support them creatively.

Above image credit: Housni Hassan (DJ) Technicolour Everyday 2019. Photo credit Jon C Archdeacon.

Host or Publisher People Dancing UK