Kildare Dance Summer School 2003

TUTOR DETAILS

CATHY O’KENNEDY

Cathy O' Kennedy is a choreographer and teacher and a key figure in the development of dance in Ireland. Since 1979 her work as a dance maker, performer, producer and teacher has been instrumental in bringing a diversity of dance forms and traditions to the dance experience within Ireland. She has received the Sunday Tribune Arts Award for her pioneering work in a community context in her hometown of Wexford. Cathy is the artistic director of Fluxusdance - a midlands based professional dance company, which she formed in 1997. The company is committed to introducing and supporting a progressive programme of dance and dance development locally, regionally and nationally. A recent international tour included a performance-based residency at the University of Washington in Seattle. Cathy teaches dance at the School of Drama at Trinity College where she has been a member of the faculty since 1997. Her work with children and young people includes teaching in primary and secondary schools throughout the island of Ireland and abroad.

COLM GALLAGHER

Colm Gallagher got involved in the field of disability whilst working as a carer in Stewarts Hospital in Palmerstown. He then moved to England in order to develop artistically and remain committed to disability work. In 1988 he met Wolfgang Stange and AMICI Dance Theatre Company, thus begins a life changing experience. He entered the University of Hertfordshire to study Drama and Literature and directed, created and acted in several highly acclaimed productions; representing the university in America with the premiere of new student work. After leaving college he took up a post with a local council working as a Community Arts Officer. All this time he supported AMICI in an audience and administrative role. Colm has worked and taught in many countries including Poland and Bulgaria. And is very much in demand as a workshop leader in England. He has just choreographed his first major piece for AMICI.

CHER MATHER

Cher Mather is a freelance movement and dance practitioner based in North East Wales. She runs Dance Alive Community Dance for young people and WISP Dance Club for young people who have special educational needs. Both groups were awarded a Youth Work in Wales Excellence Award in 2001 for their Community Unity project. In 1997 Cher gained her Course Leaders certificate from the International Sherborne Association. Since then dance for all, along Laban principles, has become inextricably linked with a concept of developmental movement in Cher’s work. She also has a longstanding link with India and is currently collaborating on a book about a North Indian Saint, and delivering creative projects based on India.

ANNA CARLISLE

Anna Carlisle has taught extensively on the international circuit, specialising in Laban Studies, dance education and choreography. In 1997, her young dance company, First Edition, won the national B.T. performance award for 'Snow on Water' and professional commissions include the opera 'Figlia del Mago' for the Brighton Festival and works for the Anglo-French company 'Sauter Le Pas' in Rouen. Anna has most recently taught on the faculty of Laban Centre, London. She believes that dance and dance-making are artistic activities which enhance your life.

ANN WARD

Ann Ward has many years experience teaching a variety of subjects to all age groups. She studied Laban's principles under Lisa Ullmann and other tutors from the Art of Movement Studio working at LinC. As well as organising courses for the Laban Guild, she teaches on their Community Dance Teachers Course and devised and piloted their Foundation Course in Community Dance. Ann has been a key figure in the establishment of both the Laban Guild Community Dance Leaders Course in Kildare and the Summer School in Maynooth

SUSI THORNTON

Susi Thornton trained in dance and drama, studying at the Art of Movement Studio under Lisa Ullmann. She has promoted Laban work in schools, colleges, at home and abroad. She has worked as movement tutor on the full time ‘Sesame’ Drama and Movement Course. Susi is co-director of L.in.C and has pioneered work for the Laban Guild’s Community Dance programmes. Susi is a psychotherapist and trainer often using movement as a therapeutic tool. She has choreographed dance pieces for performance and also directs plays.

SAM THORNTON

Sam Thornton worked at the Art of Movement Studio with Lisa Ullmann and in other colleges. He has taught dance extensively in the UK and in Europe. He has contributed to the Laban Guild’s Community Dance Programmes. Sam is co-founder of L.in.C and has been its director for the last nineteen years. He is author of “A Movement Perspective of Rudolf Laban”. Sam enjoys working with any size of group but is particularly interested in facilitating movement choirs. He is a writer and poet.

WENDY HERMELIN

Wendy works with Laban's principles, teaching groups of all ages. At present most of her work is with pre-school children. She teaches internationally on dance courses and choreographs pieces for schools, communities and youth groups. Wendy created a full length work, “Morte d'Arthur”, for sixty adults and children which was performed at Glastonbury Abbey. Another full length piece for a school about the Creation in which all the classes were involved. Most recently, she worked with a group called Junior Octagon, on a play called “Starstone”, which won the National Theatre's youth festival, International Connections and was invited to perform in London at the Cottesloe Theatre last summer.