Kerry Nicholls
2014/15
I remain indebted to LUTSF as it offered the timely space to consolidate my artistic vision at a pivotal time in my career. My professional development trip to the USA in 2014 included shadowing distinguished choreographer, writer, educator and speaker Liz Lerman; originator of the Critical Response Process (CRP).
This was coupled with a visit to the Juilliard School in New York to analyse their curriculum and observe classes. This period of research provided a vital scaffolding of sharing, reflecting and analysing, and related directly to my work in the UK.
Since the award, I have been able to process, re-assemble and implement the experiences through my work as Director of Kerry Nicholls Dance (KND).
Kerry Nicholls
Since the award, I have been able to process, re-assemble and implement the experiences through my work as Director of Kerry Nicholls Dance (KND). Ignited by my time with Liz (who is now KND’s International Advisor), I enrolled on a Coaching course at the Guildhall School to ground my intuitive delivery with theoretical perspectives. Since my first visit to the Juilliard School, I have become an Annual Guest lecturer there and some of their students travel to London to continue their learning with me and participate in our KND opportunities. I have built additional relationships in the USA with Gibney, Jacob’s Pillow and Harvard. KND has undoubtedly become the vehicle to secure and illuminate my vision and delivery. I have devised KND’s curriculum and projects by fusing my commitment to artistic professional training within holistic settings.
Our flagship Programme – The Performance Mentoring Programme (PMP) – is a four-month programme that offers rigorous technical training and thought-provoking workshops from expert guest artists, underpinned by a tailor-made, individual mentoring scheme. This has gained attention world-wide. My residency in the USA in 2014, allowed me to learn about reflective and educational models that have unquestionably impacted on my pedagogical decision-making. The opportunity empowered me to make shifts in my thinking and practice, which propelled the deep rethinking of spaces for joint deliberation, experience and imagination.