MA Dance: Choreography and Professional Practices

Program Overview

Salford's MA Dance: Choreography and Professional Practices program empowers aspiring choreographers with the skills and knowledge to refine their artistic voice, explore dance making, and navigate the industry. Through a blend of practical workshops, industry collaborations, and research, graduates are equipped for diverse careers in dance, including choreography, teaching, and arts administration. The program fosters a supportive community and provides access to state-of-the-art facilities, guest artists, and a vibrant local dance scene.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Salford MA Dance: Choreography and Professional Practices

is a one-year postgraduate program designed to refine your choreographic voice, explore the art and craft of dance making, and delve into entrepreneurial perspectives. The program equips you with the skills and knowledge to create dance works for a range of contexts and audiences. You'll learn about producing for small/mid-scale touring, develop your dance pedagogy skills, and gain invaluable industry experience through masterclasses, work-based learning, and observing professional commissions. The program is characterized by its focus on industry collaboration, real-world learning, and a vibrant local dance scene with links to venues and organizations. You'll benefit from a supportive community of lecturers, students, artists in residence, alumni, and visiting professionals who will guide you in your career aspirations.

Program Objectives:

• Deepen your creative practice and refine your choreographic voice.
• Explore the art and craft of dance making and entrepreneurial perspectives.
• Develop skills for creating work for a range of contexts and audiences.
• Gain industry experience through masterclasses, work-based learning, and observing professional commissions.

Outline:

The program is divided into three semesters, each with its own set of modules:

Semester One:

• Choreographic Practices: This module focuses on key concepts, theories, and practices in contemporary choreographic practice.
It includes practical workshops and seminars exploring the work of professional practitioners. It includes practical workshops and seminars addressing strategies in creating performance.
• Producing For Small and Mid-scale Touring: This module provides you with the knowledge and skills surrounding producing and touring.
You'll learn about funding, programming, venue liaison, marketing, and audience development.
• Approaches to Dance Pedagogy: This module continues your exploration of modern perspectives on dance teaching and learning.

Semester Three:

• Practice-As-Research Project/Dissertation: This final project allows you to delve into an area of your choosing, arising from your experiences in previous modules.
You'll be guided by a supervisor to conduct research, develop your ideas, and present your findings.
• Collaborative Practices In Dance: This module focuses on creative possibilities and challenges within interdisciplinary collaboration.
You'll work with guest artists or postgraduate students from another discipline to develop a creative project.
• Industry Placement: This module embeds you in a professional placement, allowing you to gain real-world experience, reflect on professional practices, and connect your learning experiences to your creative development.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a combination of formal and informal assessments, including:

• Teaching observations: Demonstrating your understanding of teaching methods.
• Presentations: Communicating your ideas and research findings.
• Portfolios: Showcasing your creative, reflective, and analytical work.
• Creative and practical workshop delivery: Demonstrating your teaching skills and applying your knowledge.

Teaching:

The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Practical demonstration: Learning through physical practice and technique classes.
• Verbal and embodied feedback: Receiving guidance and support from instructors.
• Workshops and lectures: Gaining knowledge and exploring different perspectives.
• Seminars and facilitated discussions: Engaging in critical thinking and debate.

Careers:

Graduates of this program pursue diverse careers in the dance industry, including:

• Professional dancer: Performing in various dance companies and productions.
• Choreographer: Creating and directing dance works for different contexts.
• Dance teacher: Sharing your knowledge and passion with students of all ages.
• Arts administrator: Managing and supporting dance organizations and projects.
• Freelance dance artist: Working independently on creative projects and collaborations.

Other:

• The program is housed in the New Adelphi building, a state-of-the-art facility with dedicated dance studios, a 350-seat theatre, and a black-box performance space.
• The program offers an annual dance artist-in-residence scheme, providing students with workshops, apprenticeships, performance opportunities, and mentoring.
• The program hosts masterclasses and events throughout the year, connecting students with industry professionals and expanding their knowledge of the dance ecology.
• The program boasts a strong alumni network, offering support and professional connections to graduates.

| Type of study | Year | Fees | |---|---|---| | Full-time home | 2024/25 | £8,820.00 per year | | Full-time international | 2024/25 | £16,380.00 per year | | Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,100.00 per year | | Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,000.00 per year |