In September 2014 I began the next stage of my career.
After completing my dance training at the University of Chichester, I joined the Learning and Participation (Dance) team at Trinity Laban as a graduate intern. Trinity Laban offers a range of fantastic graduate internships to bridge the gap between training and employment, and I have already gained skills in many different areas, such as project management, arts administration and teaching dance. Internships are advertised in 2015, so I recommend you look out for them.
The Learning and Participation department offers classes and workshops in the wider community in contemporary dance, street, yoga, Pilates, ballet and other creative sessions. These cater to all needs; with a central focus of ensuring that dance is accessible to all. You will find further details about these classes here.
Alongside my internship I am also completing Unit 1 of the DDTAL (Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning) qualification, offered through the department as part of their professional development programme. This qualification aims to provide specialist training for dance teachers, helping them to find new ways of engaging children and young people in dance. The diploma has four units in total, with Unit 1 focussing on the fundamental aspects of teaching and learning in dance.
As an intern here, I am in contact with many dance practitioners and it has been great so far. It has helped me improve on how I deliver many of the classes that I assist – and sometimes lead, on the Youth Programme and the many Health projects that we also deliver. In completing this qualification I will be able to gain further knowledge as to how I can support dance education. I believe that dance education is paramount to developing creative and imaginative young people who can either progress into the dance sector or become that person who helps businesses to flourish with innovative ideas.
Having access to many opportunities at Trinity Laban, I am starting to find my feet and have been directed towards routes that may be of interest once I finish my internship – from project management to marketing and teaching. It has definitely been an exciting transition so far, working full time across many different projects and still finding time to complete further study.
Nick Kyprianou
@nickyprianou
Trinity Laban 