Twitter: @GwendolenNelson
Instagram: gwendolennelson
I am a versatile contemporary dancer with a classical appearance and an excellent sense of musicality. My vocational training has been in ballet and contemporary. My ambition is to become a professional performer. I have enjoyed dancing in Hofesh Schecter's Political Mother, as much as, learning New Adventures repertoire through workshops. Although they are very different I love and throughly enjoy dancing both styles. I am a third year of a BA (Hons) in Dance at De Montfort University, Leicester, where I specialise in performance and am a member of the University Dance Company, directed by Pete Shenton of New Art Club.
My studies have included choreography (attaining one of the highest marks ever awarded for that module), contact improvisation, Cunningham Technique and Alexander Technique. I supplement my studies with classical ballet classes, Pilates and workshops. Outside university, my recent performances have included a site-specific piece with Metro-Boulot-Dodo and the premiere of Michael Pinchbeck's Bolero at the Nottingham Playhouse, as part of the Nottingham European Arts and Theatre Festival (NEAT2014).
| May - June 2014 | Nottingham European Arts and Theatre Festival - Bolero World premier of a new theatre experience from Michael Pinchbeck, exploring stories linked together by Ravel’s Bolero, supported by Nottingham Playhouse and featuring actors from the UK & Europe and performers from the local community. |
March 2014 | Dance Bites De Montfort University Dance Society contemporary group piece performing as part of Dance Bites at Embrace Arts Leicester. |
| November 2013 | Metro-Boulot-Dodo Performance Site-specific performance at Boughton House, Northamptonshire, working with Artistic Directors Paul Long and Esther Simpson, alongside guest choreographer Tom Roden of New Art Club. Performed on 4th and 5th November 2013, commemorating Guy Fawkes and the Gun Powder Plot at the original HQ of the plotters. Performed at night, with live fireworks. |
| June 2013 | University Dance Festival Large group piece based on Retina Dance Company’s Layers of Skin, performed at the Curve Theatre, Leicester. |
| August 2014 | Rambert Summer Intensive (Advanced) A week long Summer school with dancers and choreographers, Stefano Rosato, Kirill Burlov, Dane Hurst and Eryck Brahmania, including Rambert repertoire, choreography and improvisation. |
| July 2014 | Rambert Cunningham Event Ideas Tap award winner for the two day Cunningham workshop as part of Rambert’s Cunningham Event, learning repertoire with company member and Cunningham specialist, Stefano Rosato. |
| April/May 2014 | Let’s Dance International Festival Part of Front of House team for the varying events throughout the festival. |
| February 2014 | Henri Oguike Workshop Small group workshop with Oguike, exploring his dance style and working methods, with one to one teaching and insight into how to explore our body's reaction to another's. |
| February 2014 | Retina Dance Company Workshop Group workshop with two company members learning their recent company repotoire. |
| February 2013 | New Adventures Workshop A day long workshop at Dance Works London with New Adventure’s dancers, Alan Vincent and Michela Meazza learning a mixture of repertoire, improvisation exercises and group work. Incredibly insightful day, and a lot of fun! |
| 2011 | Jonathan Goddard Master Class A master class to improve my performance of Siobhan Davies Swan Solo from Carnival of the Animals. |
September 2012 to date | De Montfort University - BA (Hons) Dance | |
| September 2009 – July 2011 | Sussex Downs Sixth Form College Lewes Campus | Dance BTEC – Full Distinction Dance A Level – A |
| 2011 | Grade 7 Violin | |
| Current Level | Intermediate/Advanced Ballet (BBO) |
