SHIFTing Perceptions Conference, 7th July 2021
In July 2021, the SHIFT project culminated with an international virtual conference. Hosted by Northern Ballet, the day included contributions by each project partner and their dancers, the Universities of Leeds and Edinburgh and representatives from the Royal Opera House, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and Candoco Dance Company.
Here are recordings of each session which were captioned live by Stagetext.
Welcome and Keynote Speech
The day began with a keynote speech by Kimberly Harvey, Director of Youth Dance Programme, Candoco Dance Company. Kimberly set the context for the day, discussing the importance of dancer development at Candoco and providing insight into her experience as a dance teacher and choreographer.
Candoco are a world-leading dance company, continually expending perceptions of what dance can be.
Introducing SHIFT Dance
In this short film you will meet the three companies, their practitioners and dancers involved in the project, gaining an insight into their experience of working together to share and develop good practice. They reveal their motivations for being part of the project, how they experienced it, the impact it had on them and their hopes for how the Toolkit will be used.
The film was followed by a live Q & A with the project practitioners.
Joint Hypermobility in Dancers with Additional Learning Support Needs
Dr Wendy Timmons presented a discussion on the pedagogical implications of joint hypermobility (JH) in dance. This work is based on her recent research into the experience of joint hypermobility within the dance narrative from the perspective of both dance teachers and dancers. In particular, emerging evidence suggests links between JH, Down syndrome (DS) and Autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Each of these disorders are however typically seen by different medical fields and doctors, which is why the links between these disorders can be missed. Today it is increasingly important that dance teachers working to develop dancers have an awareness of the implications of JH across all dancers.
Joint Hypermobility in Dancers with ALSN
Presented by Dr Wendy M Timmons, Director of the MSc Dance Science & Education Programme, Senior Teaching Fellow, University of Edinburgh
Impact of the SHIFT Dance Project
Dr Louise McDowall reflects on findings around the psychological, social, and physical impact the SHIFT Dance project has had from the perspectives of dancers involved. And asks, how may consideration of Quality of Life indicators and dancers’ own perspectives of ‘good practice’ inform and shape pedagogical practice for adults with additional learning support needs?
Sharing findings around the impact the SHIFT Dance project has had on dancers and pedagogical practice. Presented by Dr Louise McDowall, Visiting Research Fellow in Exercise and Health Psychology, University of Leeds
Panel Discussion: How can we develop our dancer’s creativity alongside their technical skill?
Panel Discussion
Chaired by Dr. Fiona Bannon (UK), School of Performance and Cultural Industries, University of Leeds. Chair of World Dance Alliance -Europe.
Speakers include:
Ginny Brown (UK), Chief Executive, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
Ruby Wolk (UK), Ballet Senior Manager, Learning and Participation, Royal Opera House. Trustee of Magpie Dance and People Dancing
Tim Casson (UK), Creative Learning Producer, Candoco Dance Company
