Choreography 101
Is your New Year’s resolution to up your dance practice and exploration? Tracks Dance Company might have the program for you!
By Jenna Kirkham
TRACKS’ CHOREOLAB RETURNS in 2025 to bridge the gap in performing arts education in the NT, an innovative program for anyone interested in movement and choreographic exploration.
Established in 2010, Choreolab – or Choreography 101 as dubbed by Artistic Co-Director David McMicken – is a beginner-friendly course providing a broad introduction to movement and artistic development.
“We try to fill a bit of a gap here because there’s no tertiary training in performing arts, and so, if people want to learn the art of making dance or movement, this is the place to do it, it’s the only course available up here that does that,” McMicken says.
Co-led by McMicken and Jenelle Saunders, with special guest facilitators dropping in throughout, the course enables participants the unique opportunity to work at their own level, whilst still being challenged.
“It’s really important people come out of this course feeling like they’ve been in a safe and productive artistic space, because quite often art spaces aren’t always safe,” McMicken says.
“They’re often under pressure, under tension, and in parts of the industry you’re working late and long hours, so we want to really make sure that people learn that there is an alternative, that you can develop things slowly and softly as well.”
An exciting opportunity for emerging artists to deep dive into their own individual voices in movement, students can expect to grow their understanding of choreography, expand their creative practices, and gain the confidence needed to explore the evolving world of dance.
“The skills that you learn through this course are very transferable to a lot of other areas, it’s not just about wanting to be a choreographer… but it gives people an interest at the beginning to go ‘well maybe this is something I might pursue or take further.’”
Held over 10-weeks and delivered across two weekly sessions, students are taught the basics before moving towards buildable tasks, ending their final weeks by creating their own works to present to an audience.
“It’s to focus on their passions, but for a lot of people in this course, it’s to discover the passion as well,” says McMicken.
The hub of expertise in community dance, Tracks also provides a number of dance classes to suit all ages, providing a welcome space for everyone to feel at home.
Choreolab
WHEN SAT 8 FEB, 2-5PM (INTENSIVE) | EVERY MON & THU, FEB 10 – APR 12, 5.30-8PM
AT TRACKS DANCE STUDIO
COST $300
INFO tracksdance.com.au
Header, thumbnail & inset: Duane Preston
