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From June 2024 - March 2025, we delivered
17 Weekly Professional Dance Classes and 4 full-day choreographic workshops.
The Coventry Pro Initiative, generously supported by the Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement, was a pilot programme designed to provide a consistent training hub for artists amidst the demands of rehearsals, projects, teaching, and the many other responsibilities dance artists manage in the region.
Inspired by other models, the initiative focused on building a sustainable training infrastructure for artists to connect, train and upskill locally. We programmed a diverse range of professional classes and workshops led by exceptional artists, supporting the local and wider dance community and aimed to celebrate a wide range of styles, voices and practices.
The response from the dance community has been overwhelmingly positive, and the initiative has deepened our understanding of what dancers in the region need.
With the recent development of our own dedicated studio space, Studio 17, we’ll be hosting a full calendar of CPD opportunities, classes and events throughout 2025.
Stay tuned for what’s to come!
We extend thanks to our funder, Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement, for supporting our initiative.
Our Next Workshop
Saturday 17th January 2026 / 11 AM - 5 PM / Studio 17, Fargo Village, Coventry
Artist - Seirian Griffith / Fee: £35 (Students or Recent Graduates £30)
About the Artist
Seirian (“Say-ree-an”) (he/him) is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and musician, based in London. He has performed with Balletboyz, Punchdrunk, and Phoenix Dance Theatre, as well as a multitude of freelance, independent, and self-led projects. Seirian studied at Rambert School and, since graduating, has built his movement and teaching practice, "Gravity Mechanics", from his experience in a plethora of physical forms, including contemporary dance styles, improvisational techniques, tricking, ballet, acrobatics, Ju-jitsu, Aikido, breakdance, Capoeira, parkour, and various circus disciplines.
Workshop Description
Join us for a full-day exploration of "Gravity Mechanics", the teaching practice that underpins Seirian's approach to movement. Throughout the workshop, we will dive into contemporary floorwork—learning to move with greater efficiency, ease, and fluidity. You’ll be guided through pathways that explore flow, balance, and inversion, all while deepening your relationship to the floor, your weight, and the natural spirals of the body. Discover new, dynamic ways of travelling in and out of the floor, and build confidence as you distribute and redirect weight through different parts of your body. Let gravity become an active partner in your movement, offering both support and momentum. Delve into the levers and mechanics that enable you to glide in and out of the ground—finding efficiency, clarity, and spaciousness in every transition.
Fancy leading a workshop? Drop us an email at info@ascensiondance.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you!
Upcoming Workshops
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“I had a really great day teaching in Coventry. It’s refreshing to be met with such a communicative and professional team. The correspondence before the date itself and the clear instructions for the day were two things that really stood out to me. I felt well supported.
As a teacher, these things really stick with us and it makes us much more inclined to recommend your organisation to other practitioners.
Honestly keep it up, you’ve started something really special here and I’m excited to see how CPI will continue to flourish and grow!”
Hannah Thomas - CPI Artist
The quality of teaching was high, the classes had a good pace and the movement material was athletic and a good balance of challenging/ comfortable. In particular Mara Osorio had a very detailed approach to movement which was very welcome.
Eleanor Stephenson - Participant
CPI allowed me to connect with new artists around the region. I’ve built some important connections that has progressed my career further.
Emily Cox - Participant