Kenneth MacMillan Emerging Choreographer 2023

Last week, we held our Kenneth MacMillan Emerging Choreographer performances at White Lodge. Ten students from Year 10 and 11 presented their own choreography to an audience of supporters, staff, students, and a panel of expert judges. This annual event never fails to astound us as White Lodge students showcase their talents.

The Kenneth MacMillan Emerging Choreographer takes place each December and is one of three events in our Ninette de Valois Choreographic Programme. Each stage of the programme gives students the chance to explore their creative instincts and discover their choreographic voice as they progress through the School. Our founder Dame Ninette de Valois was passionate about fostering young artists and nurturing their creative curiosity, and our choreographic programme created in her name ensures that her legacy is kept alive.   

The works performed by our students were conceived and created themselves, with the support of Choreographic Tutor, Rhian Robbins. They had the opportunity to cast their classmates in their pieces, schedule their own rehearsals, as well as to offer their input into costume, music, design, and lighting. This helps to fuel their individuality and gives them a perspective into the professional production process. We saw a dynamic set of choreographies set to a range of musical pieces, from Sergey Prokofiev’s Cello Sonata in C Major, Op. 119 to Firestarter by The Prodigy.

We were delighted to welcome Lauren Cuthbertson, Vidya Patel and Edward Watson to White Lodge as our panel of judges. They watched each performance and provided invaluable feedback to our student choreographers after the event. It’s a real privilege for our students to gain professional insights from our guest judges and they always value the constructive advice that is given to them. Some of the students’ works will go on to be performed at other events such as our Summer Performances, and it is wonderful to see how they develop from the feedback that they receive.

Thank you to all our staff and students involved in our Kenneth MacMillan Emerging Choreographer.