Our MA Diasporic Dance Styles residency week

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 pleasure of being part of a strong artists hub for inspiration and encouragement, including renowned lecturers, the performance company and students from many different backgrounds.  IRIE! encourages collaboration and promotes a positive working environment, whether online or through in person residencies. 

In January 2026 a small group of dancers, drummers, and visiting artists gathered in New Cross for the first of two residencies happening  as part of the MA Diverse Dance Styles Course, validated in 2024 by Goldsmiths, University of London and run by IRIE! dance theatre.  A small revolution in the ‘what and who’ of dance is happening! The MA is embedded in African and Indigenous worldviews looking at the many families’ dance has created across the world.  The MA Diasporic Dance Styles is a unique distance education/low residency programme that is designed to happen alongside artists and teachers existing practices. Diverse artists representing a range of specialisms and knowledge fill the space, eager to share a life time of creative lived experiences. This year the team were excited to welcome Associate Professor Crystal U Davis from the University of Maryland, to talk about her work and share her research. 

….having so many specialists in a space at one time is a rarity, a mini conference.  All I could do was to tell my mind, and  body, to absorb, share, receive, ask, breathe it in and reflect. ( Denzil Barnes , 2025-26 Cohort )  

The MA is designed to facilitate learning through frameworks of reflective practice, critical thinking, and emergent global strategies for dance-arts making and producing. The programme is designed to be affordable, making room for participants to continue with their practice whilst studying.   

Students have access to a specialised library and archive at IRIE! alongside the facilities of a large university, Goldsmiths within walking distance from the company’s base in New Cross. 

My highlights so far are meeting some amazing people and hopefully longer-term connections both personally and professionally, who have already taught me a lot. Keisha Njoku, 2024-25 cohort 

Continuing on from the first year, the 2025/26 cohort comprises students from very diverse backgrounds from recent IRIE! BA graduates to established multi-dimensional performers, choreographers, dance teachers and producers.   With the freedom of online learning and the chance to connect through in-person residencies, they are learning from each other. All have something to contribute and everything to gain as they develop their practice 

It has been a transformative experience to study with people who are grounded in their practice as we exchange thoughts and history, we are learning theory and protocols to further our research to support what we do.   Theara Ward 2024 -25 Cohort. 

The programme is now accepting applications for next year’s cohort, starting in September 2026, come and be part of the IRIE! community. 

This MA is more than just a degree—it is a space for profound exploration, growth, and connection, where I can honour the roots of diasporic dance while shaping its future through my artistic voice. It’s not only helping me evolve as an artist but also laying a strong, meaningful foundation that grounds my work.” Kadeja Braun 2024-25 Cohort  

Are you ready to be part of the new generation of diasporic artists?  If so contact: 

ma@iriedancetheatre.org or checkout our MA Diasporic Dance Styles Page for further information and an application form.   

Keep an eye on our Instagram for details of the next online advice session.