Overview
Flexer & Sandiland’s team of highly skilled professional dance artists lead a diverse education and participatory programme that encompasses Infant and Primary, GCSE, BTEC and A/AS level study and residencies with youth and community groups. Programmes are designed for KS2 and above and can contribute to students working towards achieving their Arts Award and schools or institutions that are working towards gaining, or have already achieved, Arts Mark status.
The company works in partnership with The Royal Opera House Bridge and dance & digital dance workshops are also offered as part of the Thurrock Trailblazers Cultural project.
Over the years, Yael and company members have earned considerable recognition for their thoughtful & inspiring education and outreach activity. Company members regularly work in a wide variety of contexts with groups of mixed ages and abilities. The company’s education work is driven by the desire to open contemporary dance and digital dance to a wider public through participation and performance.
“Brilliant to see young people explore, play and be creative in a safe and non- judgemental space. …this in turn created beautiful and fascinating pieces of work, ideas, moments, choreographed dance sections and amazing collaborations with technology” S2 KS3 KS4
Further Details
Education work ranges from one-off workshops to long-term tailor-made residencies. Residencies can focus on developing dance skills or on digital dance
KS 2-Primary dance workshops: begin with a warm-up combining technique based exercises with creative games and tasks gradually introducing dance skills including: improvisation, contact improvisation, choreography and where relevant company repertoire.
Dance Workshops: KS 3-5 (GCSE, BTEC, A/AS level study or with youth & community groups): Workshops can range from one-day to short residencies and can include technique, repertoire, contact improvisation and creative work and often lead towards the creation of curtain raisers (short works presented alongside the company performance and/or independently for examination). In discussion with teachers/dance leaders workshops can focus on specific dance skills such as choreography, contact or repertoire or can focus on supporting students and teachers in creating their own work towards examination.
Digital Dance Workshops: KS 3-5 (GCSE, BTEC, A/AS level study or with youth & community groups): Digital dance workshops are adapted to suit different levels and range from one-day workshops to short courses focusing on dance for the camera, projection in performance or an introduction to programming working with Isadora software. Workshops can lead toward participants or the artistic team creating short films, installations or interactive live works.
Residencies and longer courses are devised in consultation with teachers and can be specifically developed to allow for collaborations between subject areas including ICT, Media, Art, Design & Technology as well as performing arts, music & drama highlighting the potential of digital art to bridge between science & art.
Teachers’ Inset Days for teachers can focus on dance specific skills: technique, contact improvisation, company repertoire, work with text and choreography or digital dance skills ‘dance for camera’, projection in performance or an introduction to Isadora Programming.
Youth and Community groups commissions: The company regularly receives commissions to create work for a variety of youth and community groups, creating work that is performed alongside the company as a curtain raiser or as independent touring works. Commissions are choreographed by Yael and/or company members and may include a digital element where relevant.
Comments:
“I’m so pleased Flexer & Sandiland have made digital dance accessible to students who would never usually get an opportunity to participate”
“This workshop was amazing, and the leaders were fantastic. I really enjoyed being in the choreographic process.”
“I thought the dances helped a lot for future choreography, especially with the solos”
“Being able to take part in this has been a great opportunity. Working with Yael has been fantastic, and I would love to do it again.”
“I really enjoyed the day, working with the projection and dancing with new people.”
“The workshop was very well executed over the two days. The aims included: the exploration of digital technologies (Isadora) with dance/movement and collaborative processes. The execution which I witnessed over the two days was of an incredibly high standard, with all participants engaged, passionate and enthusiastic throughout.”
Duration
Classes can range from one off sessions (1.5 hours minimum) through to full week-long residencies or longer depending on the context.