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

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

My experience with transferring into the second year on the BA Hons course at IRIE! dance theatre was a very positive one. I felt welcomed into the group by the other dancers and my tutors and always felt included and appreciated throughout my training there. The community there felt sincerely caring from the start, they celebrate that every student is different and work in a more holistic way with their students which sets them apart from other dance schools and universities

I am so grateful for IRIE! dance theatre. The opportunity to join the third year has not only allowed me to expand my skill set and grow as a dancer but I truly feel I have discovered my identity as an artist. The sense of community is uplifting and incredibly encouraging and I have felt an overwhelming amount of support from my tutors and peers when being welcomed as a student who joined later in the course. The experiences that have been provided this year have given me an

IRIE! dance theatre are pleased to announce that following many months of negotiations, the BA(Hons) Diverse Dance Styles will now be validated by Goldsmiths, University of London from September 2023. The course is the first of its kind to present African, Caribbean, Contemporary and Hip-Hop Styles equally, with a mission to nurture the next generation of diverse dancers. At this point of change we would like to formally thank the Dance Department at the University of Roeham

In January 2023, IRIE! were delighted to welcome Sini from Finland to engage with a short 3- month stay with the company, she engaged with classes on the BA Course, including making a contribution to the Year 2 Site Specific Project, where she helped with the group direction and filmed her solo choreography as part of the performance. Sini also took part in volunteer activities for the ‘Pioneers and Places’ Project when the Company recreated Reggae ina Ya Jeggae’. From start

Since 2018, IRIE! has delivered the BA (Hons) Diverse Dance Styles in collaboration with the University of Roehampton. Following changes to their overall Dance Programme, the University of Roehampton and IRIE! have agreed to end this validation arrangement. IRIE! has enjoyed a fantastic relationship with the Dance Department at Roehampton and would like to thank the team headed by Erica Stanton for their dedication and creative energy. ​ IRIE! is now working with Goldsmiths,

By Rosie Wilson Sidlauskas Ok let's begin! Inspired by the music from hip-hop group Jurassic 5 The Lecture was created with IRIE! dance theatre 3rd year students. This dance piece was unfinished, I started my initial ideas with the previous cohort online using Zoom. Working on two groups of people has been interesting, numbers change along with dynamics influencing choreography also, simply how things look on different bodies. The experience of creating felt playful, especial

Photo: Beth Maclnnes Our Year 3 Students have been exploring the idea of being part of a dance company through Connectingvibes* - IRIE!’s touring company that was relaunched this year as part of the BA (Hons) Degree in Diverse Dance Styles. We asked the students about their experiences and how the company is preparing them for their futures after graduating. Laura Bodner My 3rd year at IRIE! has been a wonderful experience, where I got the chance to explore the idea of being

Kimberley Reyes - BA Diverse Dance Styles Graduate IRIE! BA(Hons) Diverse Dance Styles was more than just doing a dance course. It was a community. It was a safe space for me to express myself and to even find myself again as a dancer and person. I am grateful for my year group for the support I received from them and my teachers who helped me push past my limits. IRIE! will forever be a part of me. I have been choreographing a set for MOVE IT 2022 show which is the bigges

Recent graduates Jamie Baker and Connor Taylor share how the experience at IRIE!'s BA (Hons) Diverse Dance Styles opened the doors to an exciting future in the dance sector. Jamie Baker 2021 Graduate Freelance Artist. Since graduating from IRIE! Dance Theatre in September 2021, I have become extremely busy. I have taken on more teaching opportunities due to my increased availability. I teach young people a mixture of street dance and gymnastics six days of the week. In addi

Reflecting on the past year I am full of admiration for the students and staff team members who faced the challenges of COVID, developing resilience in a time of online classes and great uncertainty. Dance classes are designed to be expansive as members travel and fully extend into the space. After months of negotiations with family members, house mates, pets and the furniture, will we ever complain again that the studio is not big enough or that someone is obstructing our pa

Nicoletta is a dance and movement artist born and raised in Rome, Italy. Since 2010, she has been based in London, developing herself as an artist and creative. She is now living between London, Rome and Dakar, pursuing her career as an international dance artist. Nicoletta was the Artist in Residence at IRIE! dance theatre between 2017 and 2019, where she got the support to found her dance theatre company MOVEMENT DECO’. Read our Interview with Nicoletta: · Why did you decid

Akeim Toussaint Buck is an interdisciplinary performer and maker, born in Jamaica and raised in England. His movement interest has a wide range of inspirations, from Capoeira, Kick Boxing, Contemporary Dance, Contact Improvisation, Caribbean Dance, Hip Hop, Yoga and Release Technique. Read our Interview with Akeim: · What’s your artistic mission? My artistic mission is to tell the stories of the unheard and unseen. I believe that I am a storyteller, using words, movement, th

FUBUNATION is a London based collective founded in 2017 by Rhys Dennis and Waddah Sinada with the vision of adding to black culture by creating more visibility and representation for dancers of colour in contemporary dance. Their objective is to build more diversity in the audiences that come to theatres and other dance platforms. As the current Artists in Residence at IRIE! dance theatre (2020-2022), they shared their journey with us and their exciting news on the way! Read

Are you thinking about pursuing a career in dance? Not sure where to start? Pursuing higher education is the first step to develop your technique, defining your artistic practice and exploring the wide range of career paths available after a degree in dance. That is why it is so important to find a bachelor’s that offers complete training and, at the same time, provides you with the necessary skills to join multiple workforces, whether you become a dancer, choreographer, educ

Now I invite you to have some music and express if mental health would be a movement or a dance style how would it look like.

‘Black History lives at IRIE! dance theatre’ By Beverley Glean MBE CEO and Artistic Director of IRIE! dance theatre

Stevie Brown - Course administrator Responsible for Student welfare and Foundation degree in Dance alumni.