Earlier this month, our Performing Arts students took part in a workshop with professional dance company, Ekleido. This was a great opportunity for our students to develop their skills and learn from professionals with their guidance and expertise.  

Ekleido is a choreographic duo formed by Hannah Ekholm and Faye Stoeser. Both have an extensive professional background in contemporary dance, street dance, and the commercial industry. Not only do they host workshops for aspiring dancers, but they largely choreograph for live performances and film. The dances they create are meaningful collaborations that are both innovative and modern, focusing on the music and meaning behind each move. 

Our Performing Arts course gives students a broad overview of the key components of performing, such as singing, dancing, musical theatre, and acting, providing them with a wide range of skills and knowledge to thrive in such a competitive industry. It is also important to learn from a range of industry professionals to broaden their creative identity and learn alongside contemporary performers. 

Hannah and Faye worked hard with our students across two-days, choreographing a dance for them to perform at the Super Culture show on February 19th at the Electric Banana, Weston-super-Mare. In order to maintain the choreography until the performance, two of our Year 2 students, Abi and Emma, have been given leadership roles as Company Manager and Dance Captain to run rehearsals, clean the dance routines and build their skills in these important areas to further prepare them for industry. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to build their confidence, adaptability, and communication skills, ensuring they are equipped with as many skills and opportunities as possible. 

Working with external organisations like this gives our students an excellent opportunity to not only learn alongside them, but also receive invaluable feedback, network with professionals, and gain a fresh perspective of new techniques that they may not have been previously exposed to. This broadens students career pathways and gives them a better sense of the careers available to them. It also provides students with exciting collaboration and enrichment opportunities that they can add to their portfolio to reflect the broad experiences they received throughout their course. 

Joe Miller, Lecturer in Performing Arts, said: “We’re so grateful to Hannah and Faye for delivering such a well-choreographed and hands-on session, sharing their extensive knowledge and expertise and giving all students the fantastic opportunity to perform for a new audience. It is invaluable sessions like this that give our students first-hand exposure to industry-level techniques, creative processes, and professional expectations, allowing them to push themselves beyond the classroom and achieve an even higher technical standard.” 

Thank you to Hannah and Faye for taking the time to engage with our students and share their invaluable insight! 

This workshop forms part of the Performing Arts Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

Progress to the next level in Performance and Production Arts and Music! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here! 

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