On Thursday 11th November our Year 10 and Year 11 GCSE Dance students were inspired by the teaching of professional dancer, choreographer and workshop leader, Tory East. Tory visited Leighton Park to deliver dedicated set phrase training on the AQA exam board pieces, ‘Breathe’ and ‘Flux’.
Beth Butler, Subject Leader for Dance, believes in the importance of external input: “It is extremely useful for the students to learn both set phrases in one intensive day rather than have to learn the phrases in small stages over a series of lessons. It allows more time for them to develop their technical and expressive skills which they are examined in. LP have developed a strong working relationship with Tory in the past three years. She knows how our LP students learn and is a very patient and encouraging deliverer.”
The students agreed that it had been a very valuable experience: “It has been so helpful to revisit the phrases in preparation for my exam. Tory was able to give me specific feedback to work on. It really helped me identify inaccuracies that I had developed without even realising.” said Juliette (Year 11). “Tory inspired me to dance and do what I love. She really helped me understand how to become a better dancer physically and mentally.” added Charlotte (Year 10). It was definitely a challenge but one which was rewarding for the groups who could feel the improvements they were making. “She helped me to not give up even when the movement was hard.” commented Anna (Year 10). “It’s not just the movement, it’s how you perform the movement.” reflected Isi (Year 10).
Tory trained at the London Contemporary Dance School where she is now a teacher as well as being an animateur for the Rambert Dance Company and the artistic director for Hampshire Youth Dance Company.
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