IRIE! dance theatre is delivering Accredited Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Level 1, Level 2, and Teaching Skills short courses in African and Caribbean dance.
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Introduction to African and Caribbean dance technique / L1
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Developing African and Caribbean dance technique / L2
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Developing Teaching Skills with IRIE! dance theatre
Discover the powerful traditions of African and Caribbean dance as performed by the company’s varied repertory. Designed for professionals seeking CPD and anyone passionate about learning new skills. These courses offer practical training, cultural insight, and an engaging learning experience. Whether you work in dance, education, community arts, health, or simply want to deepen your knowledge, you will gain valuable techniques, build confidence, and acquire a greater understanding of traditional movement practices.
Join IRIE! dance theatre, learn to fuse the forms, enhance your professional development, and connect with the rich heritage of African and Caribbean dance and culture in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Lecturers
Shea Best
Lecturer in Caribbean Dance
Shea Best is a dynamic dancer, choreographer, and teacher with an extensive background in Afro-Caribbean traditional and popular dance, Modern/Contemporary, Commercial and Musical Theatre. With a Master’s in Choreography from Leeds Beckett University and ongoing studies in Creative Arts at the University of the West Indies, Shea's experience seamlessly blends academic research with performance artistry.
Currently the Company Rehearsal Director and dancer with IRIE! Dance Theatre Company, Shea has performed, choreographed and taught in various studios, institutions and venues, in Barbados and the UK including Sadler’s Wells, the Saatchi Gallery, and the Black-E in Liverpool.
Beyond performance, Shea is an experienced educator, teaching at institutions like Artistry Youth Dance and is now IRIE!'s newest lecturer in Caribbean dance. With a passion for cultural preservation and innovation, Shea’s work bridges traditional and contemporary movement, creating powerful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
An award-winning artist, Shea has received accolades such as the Prime Minister’s Award for Artistic Excellence and multiple NIFCA Gold Awards. Whether on stage, in the studio, or directing rehearsals, Shea remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of dance and fostering the next generation of performers.
Nii Kwartey Owoo
Lecturer in African Dance
Nii Kwartey Owoo is a dynamic force in African dance and music, deeply rooted in his Ghanaian heritage. A percussionist, dancer, choreographer, and educator, he fuses traditional West African rhythms with contemporary expressions, creating powerful performances that celebrate African culture. His work often incorporates intricate movements, footwork, and gestures that tell stories of spirituality, history, and identity.
As the lead artist of the Asasaa Ensemble, Nii blends highlife music with global influences, bridging generations and inviting audiences to connect with African traditions. Beyond performance, he’s a dedicated educator, teaching at institutions like IRIE! dance theatre, SOAS, University of London, University of Roehampton, London and Goldsmiths. Through these roles, Nii fosters an appreciation for African dance’s cultural significance.
His community engagement, including collaborations with Spitalfields Music and Orchestras Live, further emphasizes his commitment to sharing African culture through workshops and educational programs. Nii Kwartey Owoo’s impact on the African diaspora is profound, preserving and evolving traditional arts while pushing the boundaries of contemporary African dance.
Our CPD short course introduces participants to foundational and intermediate movement and musical vocabulary, the cultural context, rhythms, and performance qualities found in Caribbean folk traditions.
Our advanced and professional programme is designed for practitioners to develop their teaching practice in African and Caribbean Dance forms and is designed to demonstrate how to plan and deliver African and Caribbean dance within Schools, FE and Community settings. The course will develop teaching skills for a range of creative, educational, and artistic activities based on stimuli derived from African and Caribbean dance fusion.
Our Level 1 course is suitable for Creative facilitators working in schools, community centres, or arts organisations, you may be a dance practitioner or teacher, work in sport, the arts or education, or be an early career dance artist looking to enrich your practice. Participants will be able to add the course to their CPD portfolio, thus facilitating their career development whilst expanding their personal development
Aims of the Course
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To develop practical dance skills in selected Caribbean and West African forms.
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To gain understanding of the history, cultural significance, and African diasporic connections across these traditions.
Our Level 2 programme is designed for practitioners who have completed Level 1 or possess significant prior experience. It shifts focus from basic acquisition to artistic refinement and pedagogical delivery. Participants will explore the socio-political histories of the dances, master complex syncopated rhythms, and develop the skills necessary to adapt.
Aims of the Course
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To further develop intermediate movement vocabularies with a focus on stylistic nuance.
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To develop Rhythmic Literacy, the ability to identify and dance to complex polyrhythmic bell and drum patterns.
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To foster leadership skills through collaborative choreography and peer feedback.
IRIE! dance theatre is Britain’s leading dance theatre company working in the field of African & Caribbean dance fusion. Founded in 1985 by Beverley Glean with the principal aim of heightening the profile of Black dance in Britain, the company set out to create a repertory of works reflective of the African Caribbean influence on the Black British cultural experience. Our vision is an environment where Dance of the African Diaspora (DAD) is fully integrated into the teaching and practice of the wider dance agenda, making the form important to individuals, communities and society.
Find out more:
https://www.iriedancetheatre.org/short-courses
Email: shortcourses@iriedancetheatre.org
Book a Course Now
Mon, Oct 26IRIE! dance theatreIntroduction to African and Caribbean Dance Technique course is suitable for Creative facilitators working in schools, community centres, or arts organisations. You may be a dance practitioner or teacher, work in sport, the arts or education, or be an early-career dance artist.- Wed, Oct 28IRIE! dance theatreOur Level 2 programme is designed for practitioners who have completed Level 1 or possess significant prior experience. It shifts focus from basic acquisition to artistic refinement and pedagogical delivery. Participants will explore the socio-political histories of the dances.