TRINITY LABAN CONSERVATOIRE /OF MUSIC & DANCE ENCAlumni newsletter Winter 2018 ORE

TRINITY LABAN IN NEW YORK In November last year we hosted a wonderful reception in New York City for alumni and other friends of Trinity Laban. We were joined by many alumni, some of whom hadn’t seen each other for many years and others who had travelled to New York from other states. It was really fantastic to hear about all the different things everyone has been doing since they graduated.

We were also very privileged to have alumnus Sir Matthew Bourne as guest of honour. Sir Matthew was in New York with his company New Adventures who were performing their latest work The Red Shoes at the New York City Centre. In his speech, he spoke of his time studying at the former Laban Centre, saying: “The experience I had touring with Transitions Dance Company led directly to me setting up my own company. I never would have dreamed the career I have today was possible – and it’s thanks to my experience and training at what’s now Trinity Laban.” photos: Michael Priest Photography photos: read more inside > From left: Sir Matthew Bourne, Richard Gaddes, Professor Anthony Bowne.

trinitylaban.ac.uk/alumni Development Board, chaired by business leader John TRINITY LABAN IN NEW YORK Crompton. The Development Board, which is a volunteer Board, has a diverse membership, including alumni, continued from overleaf > donors and representatives of different interest groups. At the reception Sir Matthew presented music alumnus It is responsible for advising on Trinity Laban’s Richard Gaddes with an Honorary Fellowship of Trinity fundraising strategy and driving forward the Laban. Richard received the award in recognition of his Transform Trinity Laban campaign. remarkable 50 year career in opera in the USA which As part of our Transform Trinity Laban campaign we included positions as the General Director of both Santa are undertaking extensive works to update our facilities Fe Opera and Opera Theater of St Louis. On accepting and estates across both faculties, for the benefit of his award Richard said, “Life takes strange twists and our students. This will include a series of exciting turns, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that improvement works by the end of 2018 to Blackheath Trinity College of Music was directly responsible for my Halls, our main concert venue, which will benefit both career in opera, and for my coming to America in the future audiences and performers. first place. But more important, it was the four years studying that equipped me with the musical background If you are interested in finding out more about how you I needed, and fine-tuned my ear for what lay ahead in can support Trinity Laban please contact Bernadette my career.” Benati [email protected] or 020 8305 4461. As well as the Honorary Fellowship presentation, the reception also celebrated Trinity Laban’s increasing presence and importance in the USA. As part of this, NEW HONORARY FELLOW AWARDS we plan to have more opportunities to meet alumni there. So if you know any fellow alumni who are based Every year, Trinity Laban awards a number of Honorary in the USA please do ask them to get in touch if they Fellowships to individuals who have made a significant don’t already hear from us. contribution in the fields of the performing arts and education. As well as the recent award given to alumnus Richard Gaddes, we were very pleased to present awards to Jude Kelly CBE, Dr Timothy Reynish and ALUMNUS GIVES VALUABLE Richard Alston CBE. SUPPORT TO BASS STUDENT Jude Kelly has directed over 100 theatrical and operatic productions from the Royal Shakespeare Company to the Châtelet in Paris. She founded the Battersea Arts Centre and Solent People's Theatre, and was the founding director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse. For the last ten years she has been Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre in . Dr Timothy Reynish was Head of the School of Wind and Percussion at the Royal Northern College of Music for 21 years, building the RNCM Wind Orchestra as one of the leading ensembles of its kind. Outside of education, he has commissioned and premiered many works, and performed and toured on an international stage. Richard Alston is recognised as one of the most prominent figures in contemporary dance and has photos: Tas Kyprianou Tas photos: been Artistic Director of The Place since 1994. He was We are always enormously grateful to those alumni previously Artistic Director of Ballet Rambert before who generously contribute vital funds to support our forming his own company, The Richard Alston Dance students. One recent kind donation was from alumnus Company, which tours nationally and internationally. Ken May (LTCL Voice 1970 and FTCL Conducting 1973) who has provided a scholarship to support MA double bass student, Nia Costantino. Ken has a long association with Trinity Laban and talks fondly about the opportunities given to him by the college. His career included working as a music organiser and Chief Officer in local government before he set up his own business and management consultancy. As an adviser he was closely involved in the move of the Laban Centre from New Cross to its current building in . As part of our fundraising efforts, we are also very pleased to announce the formation of Trinity Laban’s first photo: jk-photography photo:

2 BOARD APPOINTS NEW CHAIR STAFF NEWS

Hans Koller has been appointed the new Head of taking over from Simon Purcell who stepped down at the end of the last academic year but who continues to teach at Trinity Laban. Hans is a pianist, trombonist, composer and arranger. He emerged as a major force in the UK jazz scene with his 2002 album New Memories. Since then he has pursued twin careers as performer – collaborating with many of the world’s leading jazz musicians – and educator, as Senior Lecturer in Jazz at Birmingham Conservatoire. Dr Claire Mera-Nelson is stepping down as Director of Music to take up the post of Director, Music and London for Arts Council England. Claire has worked at Trinity Laban for more than 18 years and in this time In July last year, Harriet Harman MP officially took up has held a number of important roles, including Head the post of Chair of the Board of Governors, taking over of Postgraduate Studies, Head of Research, Dean from Lord David Lipsey. of Studies and Director of Creative Futures, before becoming Director of Music in 2010. Professor Anthony The unpaid position of Chair of the Board is a key Bowne, Principal of Trinity Laban, paid tribute to her, role, as the Trinity Laban Board is the governing body saying: “Claire has been an exceptional leader and for the institution, responsible for ensuring effective ambassador for Trinity Laban, and an unparalleled management and determining the future direction of creative and strategic thinker who has helped us the organisation. develop and thrive…Among many other things, she Harriet, who is an avid opera-goer and dance enthusiast, introduced new Musical Theatre programmes and our was first elected MP for (now Camberwell and CoLab festival of collaboration, brokered numerous key Peckham) in 1982 and has represented this constituency partnerships (most recently with the Open University for 35 years. She has held numerous offices of state – and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra), increased our Leader of the House of Commons, Secretary of State for international profile (notably through her involvement Equalities, Minister for Women and Shadow Secretary of with the Association of European Conservatoires) and State for Culture, Media and Sport. She also served as helped us introduce a range of innovative distance Deputy Leader and Chair of the Labour Party. learning programmes…I thank Claire for all that she has done for us, and I wish her the greatest success Harriet said of her new role: “Trinity Laban is at the heart in her new role.” of a vibrant and diverse community, and is determined to reach out and engage with all aspects of the modern world. It's vital that talented performers, in the UK and internationally, get their chance to achieve their full potential…Trinity Laban has constantly innovated, whether in sacred music, dance science, musical theatre or jazz, and is at the cutting edge of artistic development. To be a musician or a dancer demands superhuman commitment from young people and Trinity Laban is there to back them up by providing world-leading teaching, support and performance opportunities.”

WERE YOU A STUDENT AT TRINITY photos: jk-photography photos: COLLEGE OF MUSIC IN THE 1980S? We shared news in the last edition of Encore that Teresa Kelsey, affectionately known as TK, retired On Sunday 1 July we will be hosting a reunion for music after 38 years. We were very pleased that she joined alumni who studied at Trinity College of Music in the us in October for an evening to celebrate her time as 1980s. This is a chance to see old friends and meet ballet teacher at Laban Centre and Trinity Laban and to new ones whilst visiting us at the Faculty of Music in the wish her a fond farewell. Following a reception guests historic at . As part of attended a performances dedicated to TK, Tomorrow’s the day you will be able to see the facilities and find out Stars Today, which featured five new commissioned how Trinity Laban has grown from its days at Mandeville pieces performed by final year BA students – a fitting Place. We hope that as many of you as possible will be tribute to a teacher who has inspired so many students. able to join us for this reunion so please save the date and we will send more details soon.

TRINITYLABAN.AC.UK/ENCORE 3 FROM MUSIC ALUMNI

NEWS James Darch (FDA musical theatre, Nadia Wilson (Postgraduate diploma 2009) played the role of Prince clarinet, 2005) released her debut CD Simon Dyer (BMus voice, 2013) has Charming in Cinderella at the Clarinet Fantasies, with Martin Butler. been chosen as one of Florida Grand King's Theatre, Edinburgh. Opera’s young artists for 2017/18. Ben Andrew (BMus piano, 2006) has Maria Marchant (BMus piano, 2007) developed an innovative new app, Elliot Coombe (BA musical theatre, released her debut CD Echoes of ScaleTracks, for practicing scales 2017) is performing in the national Land & Sea and was featured on and arpeggios. tour of Teletubbies Live UK. BBC Radio 3’s In Tune. Jillian Bain Christie (Postgraduate Leo Richardson’s (BMus jazz Diploma 2013, MFA Creative Practice saxophone, 2013) debut album The 2014, voice) exhibited her art work Chase, has received five star reviews. at the Barbican Centre Library in London. Tom Hewson (MMus piano, 2009) released his album Essence. Ben Corrigan (BMUS composition, 2014) was one of three shortlisted (BMus voice, 2007) composers for the Britten John Savournin directed Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Sinfonia OPUS2017. Jury at Opera North and received Photo: Steven Peskett great reviews. Haydn Cox (BA musical theatre, Jack McNeill (BA musical theatre, 2016) played the role of Alan in 2017) appeared in The Night Pirates (BA musical theatre, Sleeping Beauty at Buxton Morgan Wilcox at the Rose Theatre Kingston. 2017) performed in Cinderella at Opera House. Lighthouse Poole. Nardus Williams (BMus voice, 2014) (composition, 1986) performed the part of Maggie/Marjana John Powell (BA musical theatre, 2014) has been announced as the Tom Self in the world premiere of youth opera appeared in Salad Days opening at composer for the new Han Solo Belongings at Glyndebourne. The Union Theatre. Movie due for release in 2018.

Alice Dennis BEM (LTCL 1982, GTCL ’s (Postgraduate Julian Costello 1983, piano) has been appointed Certificate saxophone, 1994) Quartet Musical Director of the University launched their new album, Transitions of Plymouth Choral Society. followed by a UK tour.

Jay Phelps (BMus Jazz trumpet, (BA musical Lori-Jane McLare 2009) released his new album, theatre, 2017) played Liza in Peter Free as the Birds. Pan at the Winter Gardens Blackpool. Kieran Leonard (BMus drumkit Photo courtesy John Powell 2014, Postgraduate Diploma percussion 2015) has been Tom Gamble (BMus guitar, 2014) touring the US with Irish band released his new solo guitar album The Recollective. Groove & Reflection.

Theo Jamieson (BMus composition, Samuel Eagles (BMus jazz 2012) is the Musical Director for the saxophone, 2011) received smash new musical Everybody's great reviews for his new album Photo: Claire Newman-Williams Talking About Jamie. Ask Seek Knock.

4 CATCH UP WITH YOUR PEERS IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC LOOK OUT FOR MORE ON OUR WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE

Sophie Webber (BMus cello, 2001) Ezra Collective which includes alumni Gen Li (MMus 2014, Postgraduate released Escape a CD featuring the Femi Koleoso (BMus jazz drum kit, Artist Diploma 2015, piano) was Six Solo Cello Suites by J.S. Bach. 2017) and Joe Armon Jones (BMus awarded joint first prize in the 2017 jazz piano, 2016) won Best Jazz Act Brant International Piano Competition Thomas Spencer (BMus voice, 2005) at this year’s Urban Music Awards. in Birmingham. released his new album The Journey. Hannah Ely (Postgraduate Diploma Lucy Elson (BA musical theatre, piano, 2013) and the Fieri Consort 2017) performed in Tiger Bay were awarded the Cambridge Early The Musical at the Wales Music Prize at York Early Music Millennium Centre. Festival's International Young Artists Competition. They have also been touring Australia.

’s (BMus jazz trumpet, Laura Jurd Photo courtesy Gen Li 2013) ensemble Dinosaur was named Album of the Year at the Septet , which features Parliamentary Jazz Awards. The Nérija alumni (BMus jazz ensemble includes fellow alumni saxophone, 2016), Sheila Maurice Elliot Galvin (BMus jazz piano, 2013, Grey (Postgraduate Diploma jazz MMus composition, 2014), Corrie trumpet, 2016), Lizzy Exell (BMus Photo: A P Wilding Dick (BMus jazz drums, 2014) and jazz drums, 2013), Cassie Kinoshi Conor Chaplin (BMus jazz double (BMus composition, 2015) and Olly Muxworthy (BMus composition, bass, 2014). It was shortlisted for the Rosie (BMus jazz trombone, 2015) 2016) was selected to compose a . Turton piece for the Royal Philharmonic won Newcomer of the Year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Orchestra to mark the 25th Robert Parton (BMus trumpet, 2007) anniversary of Classic FM. won Primary Music Teacher of the (composition, 2012) was Year at Classic FM's Music Teacher Amos Chia named Associate Conductor of the Ned Bigham (Postgraduate of the Year Awards 2017. certificate 1998, Postgraduate Karaganda Symphony Orchestra in diploma 1999, composition) released Kazakhstan he was also awarded Urska Horvat (Postgraduate artist Laureate of the First Prize of the 2nd his second orchestral CD Staffa, diploma 2016, ISP 2017, cello) was with concerts by the BBC Scottish International St. Petersburg Open awarded the first prize at MCL Young Competition for Conductors. Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Musician of the Year competition. Scottish National Orchestra. James Newby (BMus voice, 2016) was the 2017 recipient of AWARDS, HONOURS Glyndebourne's John Christie AND COMPETITIONS Award. He was also selected by the Orchestra of the Age of Congratulations to our alumni Enlightenment for its latest Rising for the many awards and prizes Stars cohort. they have won. Serafina Steer (BMus harp, 2004) was announced as one of the Moses Boyd (BMus jazz drum kit, recipients of The Paul Hamlyn 2016) won a 2017 MOBO award for Foundation Awards for Artists 2017. Best Jazz Act. [email protected] YOUR NEWS Email FROM DANCE ALUMNI

NEWS Joss Arnott (BA 2009, Transitions Hester Montgomery Campbell 2010) toured a triple bill of work in (BA 2008) has opened a dedicated Robert Clark (BA 2003) has been the autumn. It featured Madison CircusFit studio in London. selected as one of the artists to Capel-Bird (BA 2015). receive a Compass Commission, Ryan O'Neill (Transitions 2009) The Greenwich Dance & Trinity toured with Maiden Voyage Dance Laban Partnership’s flagship in Pause and Effect. commissioning scheme. Lea Anderson (BA 1984) presented Greta Gauhe (BA 2015) performed You've changed at the Edinburgh at the Emerge Festival, London as Festival Fringe which featured part of the Follow Through Collective. Sean Murray (Transitions 2017). She also toured her earlier work Yu Tamura (PDCD 2015) has Ladies & Gentlemen. received support and recognition Photo courtesy Joss Arnott from The Japan Foundation Dr Henry Daniels (MA dance Asia Center for her community Jesse Kovarsky (Study abroad programme 2009, Transitions 2011) studies, 1995) presented nómadas dance project Moving Resilience: at the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts Community Dance Exploring is Associate Choreographer for the Broadway musical The Band’s Visit. in Vancouver. This piece come out Resilience Amidst Disaster. of larger, long term Contemporary Nomads research project. Oona Doherty (Postgraduate Rekha Tandon’s (PhD 2005) new diploma 2010) presented Hard To Be book Dance as Yoga exploring the Soft: A Belfast Prayer at the Belfast connections between dance and International Arts Festival. yoga was published.

Michael Boucherie (MFA Creative Sivan Rubinstein (DDS 2010, BA Practice, 2014) directed horror film 2013) showed her work at The Place Where the skin lies which in London as part of Pivot Dance. premiered in August. Sarah Kenny (MSc 2004) will lead the first combined dance Photo courtesy Dr Henry Daniels and kinesiology degree program in Canada in her new position as Liv Lorent (BA 1993) opened assistant professor for the faculties her new work, Rumpelstiltskin, in of kinesiology and arts at University collaboration with poet Dame Carol of Calgary. Ann Duffy.

Orley Quick (DDS 2010) showed As We Like It at Camden People’s Photo courtesy Michael Boucherie Theatre as part of the Come As You Are Festival. Preeti Vasudevan (MA dance studies 2002) premiered her Gianluca Vincentini (Transitions autobiographical solo Stories by 2003) presented work at Sadler’s Hand at New York Live Arts. She Wells as part of the Wild Card was also named as one of Lincoln Series. It also featured Photo courtesy Sarah Kenny Stefania Center's 2018 Emerging Artists. Pinato (BA 2015).

6 CATCH UP WITH YOUR PEERS IN THE WORLD OF DANCE LOOK OUT FOR MORE ON OUR WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE

Yolanda Mercy (BA 2011) presented Tara Brandel (BA 1990) presented Multidisciplinary arts collective her one woman show Quarter Life her work at the Firkin Crane in Ireland. WAUHAUS was awarded the Crisis at the Edinburgh Festival. prestigious annual Finnish Mary Ellen Beaudreau (MA State Award for Performing Arts. Kathleya Afanador (MA Choreography, 2015) choreographed Jarkko Partanen (BA 2008) is choreography 2009) co-founded work for Festival Ballet Providence’s a founding member of the collective. Marquee a new video on demand Up Close On Hope series. platform that launched in the Matthew Bourne (BA 1985, UK, USA and Canada, featuring Maria Lothe (BA 2015) and Hannah Transitions 1986) has been dance, opera, music, theatre and Parsons (BA 2014) presented their nominated for Best Modern arts/culture documentaries. work Sewn Seeds, a contemporary Choreography for The Red Shoes dance and visual arts exhibition at The National Dance Awards 2017. Malik Nashad Sharpe (Study abroad exploring permaculture. programme 2013) performance work Charlotte Tomlinson (MSc 2006) $elfie$ toured the UK. Carol Wallman (BA 1976) received the Inspirational Community choreographed Iolanthe for the Dance Practitioner Award at the One Maurice Kelliher (BA 2007) received Stewartby Operatic Society. Dance UK Dance Teaching Awards. funding from Dance On The Radio for his latest work Lost Broadcasts, Robbie Synge (PDCD 2008) which will be presented in 2018. choreographed Declining Solo which showed at the Lowry, Salford. Teet Kask (MA choreography 2005) re-imagined Swan Lake for Balletto Alison Curtis-Jones (BA 1991, di Milano. MA European dance theatre practice 2004) wrote a chapter Bridgette Wilson (MA choreography on re-imagining as contemporary

2017) has been appointed principal creative practice in Transmissions Photo courtesy Charlotte Tomlinson of the Caribbean School of Dancing in Dance - Contemporary Staging in Trinidad and Tobago. Practices. Her chapter looks Emma Redding (BA 1993) was at how she re-imagined Rudolf awarded the Dance Educator Award Lauren Holstein (MA the body Laban’s Drumstick. She was 2017 at the 27th Annual Conference in performance 2010) presented also commissioned to make of the International Association for her work at The Barbican. a site-sensitive work in Monte Dance Medicine and Science. Verita, Switzerland. Aaron Chaplin (BA 2017) has joined Phoenix Dance Theatre as their new apprentice dancer. AWARDS, HONOURS AND COMPETITIONS Congratulations to our alumni for the many awards and prizes they have won.

Veronica Jobbins (MA 1984) received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural One Dance [email protected] YOUR NEWS Photo courtesy Aaron Chaplin UK Dance Teaching Awards 2017. Email Salah Dawson Miller (22 Aug 1950 – IN MEMORY 25 Aug 2017) was a long standing percussion teacher at Trinity Laban. He was a founding We are very sad to announce the following member of 3 Mustaphas 3, performed with deaths and our condolences go to their the Justin Adams Trio and Les Triaboliques. families and friends He was instrumental in establishing the world music scene and inspired many of today’s leading percussionists.

Dolores Josey (1929 – 28 Aug 2017) graduated in 1988 with an MA Dance Studies. She returned to the USA in 1990 where she worked as an artist and ceramicist and raised her family. Her work was always very influenced by her movement studies and two weeks after her death, her first novel, Crossing Boundaries, was published.

Ameral Gunson (25 Oct 1948 – 4 Aug 2017) Geraldine Stephenson (4 Dec 1925 – started her career with the BBC singers before 24 Dec 2017) was one of the first students on establishing a successful and varied solo the three year course at Rudolf Laban’s Art career. She sang many operatic roles and of Movement Studio in Manchester in 1946. appeared at the Royal Opera House, Covent Alongside teaching at the Art of Movement Garden, Alter Oper Frankfurt and the Turin Studio she had a remarkable career as a and Helsinki opera houses. She was a vocal choreographer and movement director teacher at Trinity Laban. working in theatre, film and television. Her credits include The Two Ronnies, Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon, and television series like War and Peace and The Six Wives of Henry VIII. She also worked regularly with LOOK OUT FOR theatres including the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Regents Park Open Trinity Laban has developed a new one-year programme Air Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre. in partnership with the Open University. Called The She was an expert on period dance and Certificate: The Practice of Music Making it offers movement and also developed Laban’s idea of adults with a passion for music the opportunity to develop movement choirs. Paying tribute to Geraldine, their practical music making and performance skills. Dr Valerie Preston-Dunlop, said “Geraldine It is delivered through distance learning plus a residential Stephenson was a charismatic teacher and learning week at our Faculty of Music in Greenwich, director of dance dramas, especially of works working alongside our world-renowned tutor team. for large community groups including the well- The Certificate is available as a stand-alone programme, known York Mystery Plays. Geraldine was an and can also count towards degree study with the Open invaluable assistant to Rudolf Laban in the last University. If you know anyone who might be interested years of his creative life.” in this programme please do share with them. More information is on the website trinitylaban.ac.uk/study/ music/certificate-the-practice-of-music-making

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We love to hear what you have been doing since Post: Alumni Relations, you graduated so get in touch and let us know. King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College, N.B. Please note that we cannot guarantee to Greenwich, London SE10 9JF include everything we receive and we reserve the right to edit submissions. Call: + 44 (0)20 8305 9420 Email [email protected] Like facebook.com/trinitylabanalumni

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