About the Artist 

 

Company Director and Choreographer for Ascension. Since graduating with a Master's in Dance Performance from the University of Chichester, Ashley has developed a wide pool of experience, performing, workshop leading and facilitating space for people to access and engage in dance, alongside developing his performance portfolio.  In 2017, he, alongside Ben Morley, founded Ascension Dance Company, which in the last 9 years has taken him across the world, working in Cyprus and South Africa and collaborating with companies such as BBC, Sky Arts, Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, to name a few. 

 

Choreographically, his work is rooted in feelings and centred around our human connection to others. Ashley uses relationships and a powerful movement vocabulary to create choreographic pieces that aim to stretch our perception of who we are and what motivates us as people.

​

Workshop Description

​​

Morning Session

 

The morning class will explore movement phrases that seamlessly travel between standing and floor-based work, drawing on Ascension's distinctive physical movement style. Participants will explore moving fluidly in and out of the floor while developing strength, coordination, and efficiency of movement. 

 

Afternoon Session

 

In the afternoon, Ashley will lead a creative choreographic exploration into duet work, focusing on the development of detailed movement material, patterning, and interpersonal relationships within dance. Through a series of structured tasks and creative exercises, participants will investigate how connection, timing, and physical dialogue can generate compelling choreography.