Professional Dance

Prepare for a successful career as a dancer or choreographer for the stage and screen by enhancing your technique and performance, regardless of whether your ambitions lie within a classical or contemporary setting.
Taught at The Brighton Academy, this course is for professional dancers who can choreograph their own work and work creatively with other 21st century choreographers. It helps you develop the ability to work in companies and be adaptable to different styles and methods of working. The focus is on being a reflective dance practitioner who appreciates the nature and potential of dance as an art form. It also explores the opportunities for dancers to make significant contributions in the world of work and professional practice.

You'll get the chance to follow one of two educational specialisms, depending on which best matches the area of the industry in which you're aspiring to have a successful career. Both specialisms involve professional preparation, which includes advanced skills training, inviting practitioners and graduates to share their knowledge and experience of the workplace. Your professional training is complemented by advice on developing an online presence and portfolio.

The dance specialism has an emphasis on various jazz techniques, contemporary, commercial, tap and ballet. At its core this programme focuses on rigorous technical training. This includes workshops and productions led by external professionals, who develop your creative skills so that you're ready to enter the professional/commercial sector. Within this context you'll become an independent thinker, a self-motivated artist and a freelance practitioner.

The classical specialism focuses more on a career in the world of ballet and contemporary. The course helps you to develop the ability to work in companies and be adaptable to different styles and methods of working.

You’ll be taught through a range of activities including lectures, workshops, seminars, skills classes, rehearsals, tutorials, theatre visits and theatre productions.

This course is delivered by Brighton Academy in collaboration with Bath Spa University

Year one
You'll be introduced to key practitioners and processes that underpin dance training. We develop a strong foundation of techniques in various genres of dance, and introduce the principal skills of singing, acting and choreography. You'll explore current performance trends and how to work effectively within the dance industry. We also initiate the academic principles of practice as research, analysis and critique in your first year.

Year two
The second year builds your knowledge of technique, genre and styles of dance. As a dance artist, you develop an understanding and application of a range of choreographic approaches and performance techniques to make meaningful and imaginative work. Critical theory develops your academic and cognitive skills. In addition to ongoing technical classes, and in preparation for your third year, performance projects, partner work, contact, and improvisation expand your skills as a versatile dance artist.

Year three
Your final year hones the skills and knowledge that you developed during your second year and applies it to a range of employment scenarios. Strategically selected projects and public performances throughout the year, with industry specialists in public venues, encourage professional working relationships and networking skills vital for future employment.

Assessment is via a combination of practical exams and coursework. The assessment breakdown is 75% practical assessment and 25% coursework. There are no written exams on this course.