Dance research has frequently suffered from the divide between historical investigation and performance making.

An innovative approach to practice-based processes of making dance histories, known as ‘choreological historiography’, aims to bridge that divide.

Since 2010, Dr Giannandrea Poesio has promoted ‘choreological historiography’, through performance- lectures and through his historical consultant and choreographic reconstructor collaborations with international companies and theatres such as the Kirov Ballet, St Petersburg, La Scala Theatre, Milan, the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet, London.

In May 2012 Dr Poesio was invited by Jay Jolley, Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet School in London, to join an international team of dance experts involved in the explorations of notions of style relating to five world-famous ballet schools: the French, the Italian, the Danish, the Russian and the English.

The practice-based project culminated with Focus on Style, a series of public lecture/performances presented at the Royal Ballet School between October 2012 and March 2013.

2017

Dr Poesio passed away unexpectedly in February 2017.

He was an accomplished dancer and artistic director who brought a wealth of professional experience to our students and was passionate about bridging the divide between scholarly activity and performance practice. His research continues to inform the teaching in the School of Media and Performance

He made significant contributions to the development of the University of Bedfordshire through his work within the Research Graduate School and as Director of the Research Institute for Media, Arts and Performance.

Giannandrea will be a significant loss to students and colleagues across the University.