Ursula Moreton Emerging Choreographer 2022
Our annual Ursula Moreton Emerging Choreographer performances took place on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 May at Upper School. We were delighted that after the past two years being affected by COVID, our students were able to perform this year in front of a full live audience of family, friends and supporters.
Developing choreography
Each year, our 2nd Year students are supported to develop their own choreography as part of the Ursula Moreton Emerging Choreographer programme. They have the opportunity to work as if they were professional choreographers, having input on the lighting, props, staging and costume for their pieces. This allows our students to gain experience of all the elements that go into making a production successful.
Mentoring from professionals
Established choreographers Malgorzata Dzierzon and Liam Francis began mentoring our students at the start of Spring Term this year. Students were able to talk to them about their ideas and show their work in progress. This was a wonderful opportunity for the students to receive guidance and gain insight from professional choreographers.
Receiving feedback
Our special guest Ashley Page attended the performance on 11 May, along with our mentors. They all provided our student choreographers with invaluable feedback on the works they presented. This feedback is incredibly beneficial to the students as they go on to develop these and other choreographic pieces in the future.
An inspiring generation
Our Choreographic Course Coordinator and Tutor Mikaela Polley spoke of the students’ hard work and commitment to the programme:
We are incredibly proud of the work our students create through the Ursula Moreton Emerging Choreographer programme and are thrilled to be able to showcase their exceptional talent in these performances. It is inspiring to see the choreography that they produce and the dedication that each of them put into their art. The themes of the pieces have all been chosen and explored by the students themselves and it is wonderful to be able to observe what the next generation of dancers are passionate about and the ideas that they want to voice through their choreography.
Our founder’s legacy
As a choreographer herself, our Founder, Dame Ninette de Valois, understood the importance of establishing a commitment to develop and nurture creative talent at The Royal Ballet School. We continually strive to maintain her legacy, keeping choreography at the heart of our training. The Ursula Moreton Emerging Choreographer programme is part of the School’s work to continually nurture creative expression and experimentation in our students.
A huge congratulations to all who took part in the performances and a massive thank you to the staff, supporters and everyone else who make this programme possible.
Watch the video below to excerpts from each of the students’ choreographies: