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19 Jul 2011 13:46:10
The University of Bedfordshire recently hosted its first Student International Festival of Dance - Emerging Voices in Dance (SifDans).
The three-day festival, hosted at the University’s Bedford campus, provided a platform for students to demonstrate their own work as the next generation of emerging dance professionals.
Alongside performances by final year Bedfordshire students, the University welcomed student dance artists and tutors from some twenty universities across the UK. The festival also featured dance performance films submitted from students as far afield as Russia and Taiwan.
SifDans featured an eclectic mix of dance performance and presentations from internationally renowned figures in dance. These included Tamara Ashley, Artistic Director of DanceDigital; British dramaturg, writer and lecturer Lou Cope, and choreographer Navala Chaudhari.
Artistic Director and Choreographer Jean Abreu starred in the opening night performance, showcasing brand new material which will feature in his show at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London this autumn.
Final year Bedfordshire student Luke Gessop said: “SifDans has been great. I have learnt about different warm-up routines from visiting students and seen a variety of performance dance styles.
“It’s also a great way to finish off my course at the University, putting all I’ve learnt into one final performance at SifDans before I graduate.”
Luke joined 2Faced Dance Company earlier this year and will tour with 2Faced to the Edinburgh Festival this summer, followed by a European-wide tour this autumn.
Head of Division of Performing Arts and English at the University, Professor Helen Bailey said: “SifDans is the accommodation of dance works produced by students, supported by their tutors at Bedfordshire. We are also delighted to welcome dance artists from universities across the country to take part.
“SifDans also provides an opportunity to hear from some of the best dance artists and choreographers working today. I’m thrilled artists such as Jean Abreu performed at the University’s Theatre and also had time to meet with students and take questions.
“Students, staff and visitors have told me they really enjoyed SifDans and I hope this event, organised in association with the University’s Knowledge Hub, becomes an annual University event.”
Latest news» 2011» July» International dance talent showcased at Bedfordshire
