Dance - Performing Arts

We want to provide you with the technique, creativity, understanding and professional awareness to sustain a career in commercial dance. LIPA was ranked top UK university for dance by the Education Guardian newspaper in 2008. LIPA is recognised by The Council for Dance Education & Training as an Associate School.
Career prospects

Our graduates reflect sustained employment which includes work in Musical Theatre and current West End and touring productions, commercial film, television and MTV videos, as well as work with established reputable dance companies.
The Graduates

Many of our graduates from Performing Arts (Acting, Dance and Music) have gone on to perform in high-profile roles in West End productions and international and touring shows.

These include Mamma Mia!, Miss Saigon, Spirit Of The Dance,Wicked,The Lord Of The Rings, Blood Brothers, Fame, Cabaret, Guys and Dolls,We Will Rock You, Les Miserables, Billy Elliot The Musical, Buddy: TheBuddy Holly Story, Chicago, Jerry Springer The Opera, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Treasure Island,The Jungle Book and the The Rocky Horror Show.

Dance graduates have also joined a wide range of companies including Richard Alston and Dancers, Transitions, Tilted and Maresa Von Stockert, Edge Dance Company, Ludus Dance Company, Bounce Street Dance Company, Ameba Acrobatic Company in Canada and Jasmin Vardimon.

Year 1: The Physical Body

You develop your technical body through regular jazz, ballet and contemporary dance classes and have weekly classes in tap. Early on, your body is diagnosed to help you work to the best of your physical potential and minimize injury.

The fundamentals of choreography are taught in the first half of the year, followed by dance fusions, in the second, which keeps evolving to reflect the latest trends in commercial dance. It includes cross-cultural styles (for instance: locking and popping, flamenco, African dance, hip-hop), street dance and combined art forms plus aspects of today's West End.

You also take fundamental acting and singing classes. At least once a term, you participate in an informal sharing of work to gain performance experience. The year culminates with an in house performance in one of our theatres. You will learn about the context of the dance world and undertake professional development: both will help you develop a critical eye for dance and understand collaboration.

Year 2: The Versatile Performer

Your physical mastery of technique in jazz, ballet and contemporary increases through higher levels of difficulty and your tap classes continue. Dance fusions now lasts a year to heighten skills in various dance styles. Classes to enhance your secondary skills in acting and singing continue and are complemented with musical theatre classes.

Performance projects offer you the experience in working alongside actors, musicians, designers and technicians towards major performances. Your understanding of context and professional work continues to complement the practical and performance activities.

Year 3: The Professional

By the end of this year, you are ready to work as a dancer. Building upon the professional standard of technical excellence, you will be at your physical peak and ready to deal with various audition scenarios.

External professionals provide up to date industry advice on developing high quality portfolios for agents and choreographers. The final part of context study encourages you to explore elements of your own research through practice, investigating your professional interests in dance and related performance.

You have a range of performance opportunities for both internal and external audiences, including a showcase for industry professionals. These shows are often led by some of todays most talked about directors/choreographers. By now, you will be putting your professional plan into action so, as well as being ready to go out and find work; you will be equipped to create work for yourself.
Teaching and Assessment

Our dance degree has up to 16 technique classes per week, in addition to classes in acting and singing technique, contextual studies and professional development. The majority of technique classes are held in appropriate dance studios in our Hope Street facility. For practical classes, assessment is through observation and class presentations. Feedback is provided in daily classes and after each term ends. Performance projects are choreographed by our staff and, in the later stages of the programme, by professionals currently working in the field. You will be required to write essays, reports, evaluations and critical reflections as well as a longer investigation in your last year.