Workshops
Looking for a dance workshop? I offer a variety of workshops based on ability.
Professional class
Professional classes are an athletic release-based contemporary class.
Participants will focus on finding articulation in the spine and limbs, playing with moments of power and punch, alongside letting the weight go and finding release in the body.
Students will experience the contrast between the muscles in action and letting the bones and structure of the body take over to find lightness.
Community workshop
The main aim of a community workshop is to create a fun environment where the participants are the heart and centre of the class.
The workshops are adaptable and flexible to whoever is in the room with space for a variety of options within the dance phrases.
Dependent on length, a workshop would involve a contemporary dance class, followed by a creative session.
A Morvell Dance community workshop can be reshaped to the requirements of the venue/school/company.
Undergraduate teaching
Classes will always strive for a relaxed and comfortable environment where the dancers feel safe to ask questions and explore their body’s possibilities.
It’s an exciting moment to see dancers find movement they didn’t think was possible!
In undergraduate classes we will explore basic alignment, depth of movement, full extension whilst also looking at the performative techniques.
My focus is to allow dancers to find their unique voice throughout the class – how they take the skeleton of my phrasing and find their own journey through it.
Commissions
Alike to my workshops, every commission is always a warm environment where students are able to fully relax and have a great time whilst also working hard.
Commissions are my favourite type of work, I love getting to know new generations of talented dancers and see them go on a journey with my repertoire.
My commissions to date have included:
INTOTO Dance Company (London Studio Centre) 2023
3Fall Dance Company (University of Chichester) 2022
Hampshire Youth Dance Company 2021
Photo credit: Romi Folder, London Studio Centre, INTOTO Dance
”Between Thoughts” 2023
"I always enjoy Amy’s classes, she is a lovely teacher and creates a welcoming and inspiring environment that's perfect for training in.”
— Olivia Wallis Jackson
What to expect from a Morvell Dance workshop?
I describe my classes as an ‘athletic release-based contemporary class’ .
What does that mean?
In essence, my classes tend to focus on:
finding articulation in the spine and limbs
playing with moments of power and punch
letting the weight go and finding release in the body.
I love seeing the contrast between the muscles in action, to letting the bones and structure of the body take over to find lightness.
In my classes/workshops/commissions I like to work closely and collaboratively with the group I’m dancing with. The people in the room always come first, and the class I lead is always flexible and adaptable.
Example programme: 3-hour workshop
Warm up
This could be an improvisation, or a warm-up game, a gentle stretch or opposite to this – an athletic heart-pumping exertion of energy.
Either way, the start of class is always about loosening up, freeing up the spine and getting to a place where we feel relaxed and ready.
Articulation exercises
Leading a typical contemporary class, I would lead participants through a series of exercises - an articulate spine exercise, floor work, travelling, and warm up for the feet. We would end with a large phrase that explores techniques found in the previous exercises.
Repertoire
Depending on the level of the workshop, we might then move onto learning some repertoire. Participants can learn Morvell Dance repertoire from Turtle Dove or Moving Portraits
Creative exploration
The workshop would close with a creative session, which might include:
learning techniques from the creation process of previous works
the movement research I am currently exploring
or taking the participants through various creative tasks and games.
All these elements are adaptable to the level of the workshop and the participants’ strength and ability.
Cost
Half day workshop is £200 plus travel expenses.
Whole day workshop is £275 plus travel expenses.
Interested in booking a workshop?
Get in touch to discuss your needs…