Choreography Classes

Posted at 2:51 pm on 24th January, 2022

At Flixton Girls School (FGS) we have always believed in sharing good practice and ensuring our students gain valuable external experience. With limited face to face, practical subject support over the past couple of academic years, it was essential we were able to reinvigorate our dance students’ practical choreography work. Both year 10 and 11 GCSE Dance students participated in practical dance choreography support workshops to assist them in developing their own ideas for choreography of their GCSE Dance pieces.

Workshop facilitator Helen Le Roux is a freelance dance artist who works with the Manchester based dance company; Hawk Dance Theatre. Helen said, ‘The girls have done fantastically well - they really engaged with the choreography workshop, displaying these techniques and working hard to enhance their skillset.’

We have worked with The Lowry over a number of years, annually hosting this type of workshop for GCSE dance students. They are also introduced to the Centre for Advanced Training - a national initiative where The Lowry acts is our closest North West hub. It attracts dancers from across the whole of the north west and beyond, providing performance opportunities on a regional and national level. Students who are on the programme participate in classes outside school and have additional opportunities to work with professional dance artists across a range of genre and styles.

Over the years’ numerous students from FGS have been involved in the programme. Currently Elizabeth Bassett Beere from year 11, is one of the lucky few taking part in this initiative. Students are signposted to the programme and attend an audition. Elizabeth commented, 'The CAT programme is a fantastic opportunity to try out different dance styles, work with some brilliant dancers and meet lots of other dancers from across the area. I am really enjoying the programme and hope it will assist me in progressing my ambition of a career in dance, when I leave school.' 

Students from year 10 participated in this advance dance training workshop to help them understand more about what is required to be a successful dancer, as well as providing some ideas for creating movement for their own choreography and developing their technique, in preparation for the performance elements of their Dance GCSE.

We are continuing to offer a broad and balanced curriculum in the performing arts department, including practical dance sessions, so that students who are studying dance courses can continue to develop their technique. This term we are planning to re-introduce face to face dance clubs and we are hoping to host a performance towards the end of this academic year.

Mrs Ashurst, Dance Teacher said, ‘I was really pleased to be able to offer a face to face workshop. The impact on students learning from practical experiences and working with professional dancers cannot be under estimated. It was great that Helen was able to create such high quality choreography workshop taking into account all the most up to date COVID requirements.’