Connectingvibes would like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to H.A. Marks Construction for their recent donation and renewed support. Connectingvibes* is currently the touring company of Year 3 students on the BA(Hons) Diverse Dance Styles delivered by IRIE! dance theatre. Alumni continue to work with the company as they develop their skills as choreographers, rehearsal directors and teachers on the education programme. The company provides opportunities for artists at the beginning

In January 2026 thanks to the support of the LUTSF ‘Dancer in Training Award’ and generous donations from supporters of a ‘Go Fund Me’ campaign, I was able to travel to Colombia to conduct research for my Independent Project as a third-year student, on the BA(Hons) Diverse Dance Styles degree with IRIE! dance theatre. This was far more than an academic requirement; it was the beginning of a dream I had carried for years. To journey through my own country and deeply explore ou

Returning to study –is it worth the emotional and financial investment? We are now halfway through the second year of the MA Diasporic Dance Styles, run by IRIE! dance theatre and validated by Goldsmiths University of London. This appears to be an opportune time to reflect on the course as applications come in for our third year beginning in September 2026. I will begin with a reflection of the past coupled with observations on the cohorts and their unique opportunities. What

My approach to dance began with folkloric dances from Oaxaca, Mexico, and later continued during my BA in Contemporary Dance. Over the past years, I have directed my practice towards West African dance and various diasporic dances across Latin America. My decision to study the MA at Irie! came from the fact that it is the only programme that studies the diaspora through dance. It is not common to find a postgraduate degree with this perspective, and even less one that offers

The MA builds on the success of the BA (Hons) Diverse Dance Styles (established 2018), this Post Graduate provision offers dance artists the opportunity to expand their practice through independently focused research within a supportive virtual and residency-based learning environment. Creative space appears to be longed for amidst the turbulence of everyday life/work, particularly for artists, who constantly must strive to keep their practice alive. Imagine then the pleasu

I began my dance education at IRIE! Dance Theatre on the BA Diverse Dance Styles, where I loved exploring the cultural history and context behind each style. I was drawn to learning African and Caribbean dance alongside contemporary and urban practices, developing a versatile movement language that continues to evolve. During my third-year research project, I started shaping a practice that felt meaningful and aligned with my interest in holistic healing, which led me to cont

I decided to take on the MA at IRIE! because I wanted to carve out the time to look at my own practice in a way that allows me to magnify its uniqueness. It has been a space where I can explore the creation of my own form while looking at other avenues in a broader educational context. Right now, I am building a new appreciation for tracing, embodying, translating, cultivating, and producing waves of unseen narratives from a single moment. By using tried and tested practices,

When I first started the MA in diasporic dance styles, I was immediately taken back to my past the 1980s in London when Hip Hop was emerging. I began reflecting not only on the culture, but on the political landscape that shaped it: the Brixton riots, the need for an outlet, and the government’s desire to keep communities quiet. Funding was poured into dance but not in my neck of the woods. This led me to really scrutinise my own practice of building faith for healing throug

My name is Deny Ruge. I am a Colombian dancer, creator, and researcher currently based in London. As a third-year student in the BA (Hons) Diverse Dance Styles at IRIE! Dance theatre, I also direct the Somos Chibchas Arts dance company, which I founded in Madrid in 2010. My mission is to preserve Colombian heritage through dance, theatre, and other artistic expressions. My work focuses on memory, identity, and cultural resilience. Fundraising for “Las INNOMBRABLES” Today, I a

After gathering such a wealth of practical movement experience on the BA Diverse Dance Styles, with IRIE! dance theatre graduating in 2023. I took a year to let it sink in and do my own choreographic faith-based projects. However, later I began thinking about how to communicate effectively and with more authority on the themes I was presenting. Namely, building faith for healing through Christian urban and freestyle dance , which I present under the name Tonte Dance in a

This month we are celebrating our graduate Tianna Williams Powell, who gained a 1st for the BA (Hons) Diverse Dance styles degree in 2022. Joining the programme in the 2nd year from a musical theatre background, Tianna wanted to gain a broader cultural experience and strengthen her dance base with diverse styles. During her time at IRIE! she was part of Connectingvibes*, (performance company attached to the course,) later going on to become a trustee. You will see from her th

I am Shadi and a couple of weeks ago I received two very important pieces of information within two days of each other. The first was my degree grade; and the second was the confirmation that I was officially a dancer in a national touring company- IRIE! dance theatre. I was surprised when I achieved a 1st Class Honours degree. I knew that I had put in the hours and the sweat for the entire three years at IRIE! I also knew that through doing that I had found a true passion an

IRIE! dance theatre is pleased to announce that applications are now open for a new MA Diasporic Dance Styles validated by Goldsmiths, University of London. The course will start in September 2024. The MA Diasporic Dance Styles is a unique low residency programme of blended online and on-campus learning and is designed for practitioners working within a diverse range of dance styles and contexts. ​ The MA builds on the success of the BA (Hons) Diverse Dance Styles created in

My name is Naima, and I am 15 years old. My goal is to perform in musical theatre, however, as a young black woman, I am devastated by the complete lack of cultural influence in that sector. That's why IRIE! called out to me, and I am glad it did. When I first heard about IRIE!, I was intrigued, then, once I looked at their website and learnt more about them, I was invested. IRIE! was and still is the only dance company - even the only performing arts company, full stop - so

The way I came into contact with IRIE! Dance theatre was through my work experience placement, which was overwhelmingly positive. I count myself lucky to have been in such a warm environment which celebrates diversity and focuses on being accessible to all. Sadly these factors are often an afterthought for a lot of places, but at IRIE! diversity and accessibility are the focal point for all the work that they produce there. Different cultures are celebrated and appreciated in