Study at PSC

A strong commitment and technique in dance is essential for this course and you will need to have prior experience in ballet, modern or contemporary.

If you are passionate about pursuing dance and want to broaden your knowledge and understanding of this subject then studying Dance at Peter Symonds may be the right choice for you.

You will study:

• Contemporary dance techniques such as Graham, Cunningham & Release (plus some Ballet and Jazz)
• Choreography
• Dance analysis
• Dance history

Lessons will be a combination of practical dance classes and interactive theory lessons.

You will learn repertoire from professional dance works, participate in workshops with professionals and see many live performances at theatres such as Sadler’s Wells, the Royal Opera House and Pineapple Studios.

What sort of work will I be doing?

• Focus on advance contemporary technique classes
• Practical lessons of mixed genres
• Choreographic workshops
• Learning professional repertoire
• Working with professional artists
• Analysing professional dance works
• Attending trips
• Performance opportunities in and outside the college

Year 1:            

• Solo Choreography & Performance in a Duo/Trio: 50%
• Written Examination: 50%

Area of study: Practitioners studied for  Rambert Dance Company are Marie Rambert, Glen Telty, Robert North and Richard Alston. Independent Contemporary dance scene practitioners studied are Akram Khan, Matthew Bourne and Jasmine Varidmon.

Year 2:

• Group Choreography, Solo Performance & Group Performance: 50%
• Written Examination: 50%

Set work: Rooster by Christopher Bruce and Sutra by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Christopher Bruce's other works such as Ghost Dances, Swansong and Hurrican.  Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's other works such as Zero Degrees, Babel and Milonga.

Our former students are currently training in Dance at: Performers, London Studio Centre, Chichester University, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Laines Theatre Arts, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Bird College, Urdang, The Place The Brighton Academy, De Montford Univeristy and Bournemouth Arts University.

Others are at university studying Maths, Computer Science, Law, Early Education and Psychology.

A Level Dance is recognised as a suitable A level by the major selecting universities.

You will be asked for a payment of £120 at the start of each year which covers visits to professional performances, including any travel costs, and also professional workshops. The cost of each trip/workshop will be specified in a letter given to the students prior to each activity. Included in the one-off payment is a contribution towards the costs of hand-outs and other resources, at the start of the course.

The college has a Student Support Fund for those who have financial difficulties, so please do not allow any worries in this area to prevent you from embarking on this course.