Paige showcases her talents at European Conference

For many people the study of performing arts is a personal and passionate pursuit. As such, the Dance and Drama degree at Edge Hill University looks to develop the natural talents of students, whilst also aiming to ensure they combine these with the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed as professional practitioners.

Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer, James Hewison, comments, "This degree is very special as it allows students to explore both Dance and Drama as specialisms. It also gives students the chance to discover the intersections between these disciplines, such as through the creative exploration of physical theatre or dance-theatre performance."  

This broad-ranging course uses a practice-led approach and utilises both studio and lecture based sessions, focusing on production as well as performance. It is through this that students are prepared for a whole variety of roles when they graduate.  

Edge Hill also maintains strong relationships with a wide range of organisations in the arts community, providing students the opportunity to develop contacts, take part in professional productions and gain vital vocational experience.  

"We see our industry links as an absolutely vital part of the overall student experience," explains James. "Their importance lies in developing a supportive learning network that ensures what we teach has real value and relevance.  These relationships provide students with the opportunity to work with some amazing people on a variety of innovative projects."  

Current first year student Paige Hernandez has recently returned from taking part in one such project, which saw her visiting Antwerp in Belgium to perform as part of the Euro Cities Conference held there.  

"I've been involved with the Liverpool arts organisation Brouhaha for a few years now and taken part in the International Street Festival, which they deliver annually in the city. I was really pleased when they approached me again to see if I'd like to participate in one of their European exchanges called the XpatS project," Paige reveals.  

"During the exchange we visited Antwerp twice as well as Utrecht and Amsterdam and it was really exciting to perform at the conference. I found the whole project life-changing and valued the opportunity to train with lots of new people. We shared our individual qualities as performers which was really insightful and meant we all developed more knowledge and a wider variety of dance styles."  

James concludes, "Students at Edge Hill constantly demonstrate a great deal of energy and entrepreneurship in developing extra-curricular activities. It is through these that they find opportunities to become involved in projects that provide valuable experience, making them better performers and enhancing their CV."  

For more information about the BA (Hons) in Dance and Drama visit:  http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/dance-and-drama