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“I have taken responsibility for training and providing performance activities for younger students and my student colleagues.” - student

ROCK CHALLENGE

Rock Challenge is a student driven project that occurs every year. Up to 80 dancers, both experienced and beginners come together to develop a dance piece for public performance. The concept, music choice and choreography come from older students who teach younger students and guide them through their involvement rehearsing twice a week over four months, before a performance at the Alhambra in Bradford. This year we worked with choreographers David Hamilton and Hayley Briggs who started her career as a pupil on CAPE programmes at Merlyn Rees High School, and costume designer Rhiann Millar. A member of staff led set design. Older students of the college are the principal choreographers. See www.rockchallenge.co.uk

“Decisions are taken collectively in all aspects of the piece through group forums where open discussion provokes refinement. Students learn group dynamics and social skills as well as developing critical appreciation of their ideas and those of others.” - teacher

“Each of the principal students demonstrates qualities of leadership and group participation to gain evidence for their arts portfolios. This evidence is used in their quest for national recognition in the arts through a pilot programme funded by the Arts Council called the Young Peoples’ Arts Awards.” - teacher