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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 27th June 2026 / 11 AM - 5 PM / Studio 17, Fargo Village, Coventry
Artist - Junior Cunningham / Fee: £35 (Students £25 and Recent Graduates £30)
About the Artist
Junior has been a dancer for nearly three decades & has devoted his career to all elements from performing to teaching and creating. He has a deep-rooted foundation in Contact Improvisation & Partnering work, with a love for all things movement-based, drawing inspiration from the world around him.
Junior is looking to move into the creative phase of his career with aspirations of making thought-provoking works that hold a mirror up to the society we have created.
Workshop Description
Morning
The day will begin with a physical Morning Class, sharing movement phrases that draw on Contemporary technique, Capoeira & Old Skool Street Styles. This will transition into Partnering techniques that will help shape our Contact work in the afternoon.
Afternoon
Junior will guide you deeper through Contact Tasks, leading us into a creative space where we will begin to explore ideas for a work he is researching. Expect to be physically challenged and bring your own creativity to the room.
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