NSCD Events
A day intensive led by professional dancer Azzurra Ardovini. This masterclass is for adults with some dance experience, exploring a range of techniques including contact work, choreography and improvisation. Ideal for participants wanting to further develop their confidence and dance experience. This ‘booster’ session is a great way to improve your dance skills whilst having fun and meeting new people.
This open-level masterclass is for adults aged 18 years and older (there is no upper age limit) from a range of dance backgrounds and levels of experience. Azzurra will cater the masterclass to participant’s individual needs to ensure each person gets the most out of the day.
The day will run from 10am to 4pm. The studio will be open from 9.30am so participants can prepare, and the day will begin with technical exercises and movement phrases during a morning contemporary technique session. This session will be at an inclusive pace focusing on Release technique and Limon principles. Azzurra’s class plays with speed, shifting in space and going in and out of the floor whilst maintaining a strong, yet relaxed, use of the body.
The afternoon session will explore choreography and creative skills. Azzurra will lead participants through a number of creative ideas exploring contact work, choreography and improvisation, focusing on individual movement and connecting with others in the space.
Tickets:£30
Azzurra started her training in ballet and contemporary in Florence, before moving to the UK to continue her training at London Contemporary Dance School (LCDS) from 2003 to 2006. From 2006-07 she was part of EDge Dance Company, and began working professionally as a freelance artist . During that time Azzurra worked with Rosemary Lee, Jonathan Lunn, Freddie Opoku-Addaie, ENO and ROH. In 2008 she joined Henri Oguike Dance Company and later in 2009 she moved to Phoenix Dance Theatre. During her time with the Leeds-based company she danced with many choreographers, including Lost Dog, Douglas Thorpe, Aletta Collins and Richard Alston. In 2012 Azzurra was released by Phoenix Dance Theatre to work with Akram Khan Company for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics. Since leaving the Company in 2013 she has worked in the UK, China and Belgium with choreographers such as Kim Brandstrup, James Cousins, Jorge Crecis, Carlos Pons Guerra (De Nada Dance Theatre), Opera North, Vincent Dance Theatre and Luca Silvestrini, amongst others.
In 2012 she graduated with Distinction from the MA in Contemporary Dance course at LCDS, and was nominated for Outstanding Female Performer (Contemporary) at the 2012 Critics’ Circle Awards. In 2014 she was awarded the Leadership Mentoring Scheme from Dance UK.
Azzurra is a public speaker and teaches extensively to conservatoires, colleges, youth groups and professional companies. In 2015 Azzurra, together with her fellow colleagues Phil Sanger and Josh Wille, set up the company Sardoville. The collective’s goal is to create work and to commission choreographers, as well as facilitating the outreach of contemporary dance in the North; creating artist development opportunities to support the dance ecology of Leeds and the surrounding area.
Photograph: Maarten Mellemans
If you have any questions please contact Dan Fielding:
participation@nscd.ac.uk
0113 219 3005
