Tag: The SI

Exclusive dance workshop comes to Edinburgh

ASPIRING dancers in Edinburgh are set to experience a transformative day of contemporary dance training with leading professionals.

Leading contemporary dance artists Errol White and Davina Givan, bring their acclaimed Elite Intensive to Dance Base on Saturday 18th January offering a rare opportunity to train with industry professionals.

As course leaders for The Scottish Institute’s (The SI) pioneering BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance degree, Errol & Davina will share their expertise through an immersive day of training, focusing on the creative processes and that define their celebrated repertoire.

This exclusive session will guide participants through company class, focusing on skeletal alignment, core stability, and fluid movement.

Dancers will also engage in choreographic exercises, delving into group work and solos from White & Givan’s repertoire, offering insights into professional company work and the artistry of contemporary dance.

The pair said: “The Elite Intensives are a fantastic way to connect with the next generation of dance artists. We aim to provide an inspiring and rigorous experience that offers a glimpse into professional training and performance.

“Embedding White & Givan as artists in residence within the Institute is a rare opportunity within the educational world for practicing artists and students to evolve together.

“Passion in sharing knowledge lies at the heart of what we do, and we are extremely proud to play an integral role in developing a new generation of dance artists.”
 
With over 25 years of experience collaborating as performance artists, Errol and Davina have built an acclaimed body of work that engages audiences on a physical and emotional level.

The duos appointment as artists-in-residence at The SI creates a unique bridge between professional practice and education, offering a opportunity to share their expertise and passion for dance with the next generation of dancers.

“The inclusion of sport science and the role it plays in the training of young dance artists at the Scottish Institute is vital, preparing them for a long and fulfilling future career as successful dance practitioners.” White & Givan added.

Dance Base is Scotland’s National Centre for Dance. As a creative charity it aims to see people across Scotland engaging in dance as an art form, a way to exercise and a way of life. 

It supports Scottish dance artists to develop successful careers and develops opportunities for dance to be used to support people’s health and wellbeing. 

The SI is set to welcome its first cohort in September 2025, making it the only higher education provider in Scotland to offer a course that is led by professional dance artists specifically tailored to contemporary dance.

Students will benefit from The SI’s state-of-the-art technologies and professional-grade studios, as well as access to the renowned Howden Park Theatre.

The degree will couple sport science and dance training and is poised to produce well-rounded, successful dance practitioners prepared for long and fulfilling careers.

Mark Langley, Principal of The SI, said: “Having White & Givan as artists in residence creates an extraordinary environment where practicing artists and students evolve together. 

“Our students won’t just learn about the profession – they’ll be immersed in it, working alongside industry specialists, performing in professional venues, and developing their craft through a carefully structured progression from core techniques to professional practice.

“The Scottish Institute was created by professionals to educate the next generation of professionals, and this new BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance program exemplifies that mission.”

The Scottish Institute is Scotland’s only fully CDMT accredited performing arts institution, also holding accreditations from Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Council of Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT) and Imperial Society for the Teachers of Dance (ISTD).

The session is free of charge, offering a rare opportunity for Scotland’s emerging dance talent to work closely with two of its most prominent contemporary artists.

To book a slot at the Elite Intensive day, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/white-givan-elite-intensive-edinburgh-tickets-1137763133159

If you have additional questions on the course, contact: admissions@thesi.co.uk

Student accommodation project seeks innovative partner

Landmark development promises to transform international student living 

A GROUNDBREAKING student accommodation project is seeking a strategic partner to develop up to 200 purpose-built apartments.

The Scottish Institute (The SI), Scotland’s only theatre school accredited by the Council of Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDDT), is spearheading the landmark project in Livingston.

Following the opening of its new campus in September 2023, The SI is now inviting specialised accommodation providers to join in developing a transformative student living environment.

A prime location will be carefully selected for the new development and will be designed to create purpose-built living spaces that will support students from across the world, promising to revolutionise international student living in Scotland’s educational landscape.

“We’re dedicated to creating an environment where students can thrive academically and socially,” said Andy Egan, President and CEO of The Scottish Institute.

“This project represents a unique opportunity for a strategic partner to play a pivotal role in supporting the next generation of performing talent.

Recognising the growing demand for high-quality student housing, the institute is now actively seeking partners to develop and deliver student apartments that will welcome up to 200 new students from 2026.

With established partnerships with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Imperial Society for the Teachers of Dance (ISTD), the development promises to provide world-class facilities that support artistic education and international student experiences.

The chosen partner will be responsible for the full design, development, and management of the apartments, while The SI focuses on educational excellence and student support. This collaborative approach ensures a holistic approach to student living that goes beyond traditional accommodation models.

Andy added: “This is more than a construction project. It’s an opportunity to create a living and learning environment that supports artistic growth and international collaboration.”

The new project will leverage Livingston’s strategic location near Edinburgh and Glasgow, offering international students a modern, supportive living experience.

Interested parties are encouraged to contact Andy Egan for further information on how to participate in this landmark project: chair@thesi.co.uk

The SI: Rebrand for MGA Academy

The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film & Television (The SI) is today unveiled as the new name of Scotland’s leading arts education institution, and only CMDT-accredited school in Scotland, formerly known as the MGA Academy of Performing Arts.

The renaming comes from the institute’s new ownership from major Irish production studio, Silver Rock Studios. Leading with an official rebrand and relocation, its new commercial model aims to reflect the institute’s existing position as a leader in the global performing arts landscape, as well as its new global footprint.

The institute has transitioned to a larger campus in Livingston, with brand new state-of-the-art facilities and resources, which will be open to international students for the first time.

The new model incorporates world class training from some of the biggest names in the industry, alongside high-end sponsorships for industry-standard tech and equipment, which will solidify its offering of world-leading arts education for both local and global talent.

The school is now also able to guarantee students credits on their CV through Silver Rock Studios, and new partnerships with global companies will remove many of the financial barriers to high quality performing arts training for home-grown talent.

The restructure enables the academy to expand its foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses across the performing arts, and increase intake of both full-time and part-time students, with the capacity to triple the previous student enrolment.

The Scottish Institute will offer the highest quality of training from world-leading educators and faculty, reflecting its culture of nurturing inclusivity, equality and learning. As part of its new industry-leading facilities, the institute has opened the Howden Park Theatre, an innovative and fully equipped performance space with a 300-seater auditorium and rehearsal rooms to facilitate all student performances.

Having built a strong reputation as one of the foremost centres for performing arts education in the country, The Scottish Institute has secured funding from West Lothian Council, Creative Scotland, and Scottish Government Funding enabling it to expand and strengthen it’s offering to student.

The Scottish Institute will open the doors to its new campus with an official launch event on 25th of April 2024, featuring a selection of student performances and an all-star guest list.

As a leading vocational performing arts school, the launch of the new campus and title marks a transformative time for The Scottish Institute, demonstrating its commitment to exceptional, high-quality teaching and its dedication to paving the path for students’ successful entry into the performing arts, film and television industries.

President and CEO of The Scottish Institute, Andy Egan says: “It is an honour to introduce The Scottish Institute and open our brand-new campus to our wonderful students, staff and visitors.

“The institute is built on the academy’s reputation and our roots in Edinburgh. This pivotal expansion further marks our commitment to fostering an environment where creativity, learning, and profession development take centre stage.

“We are delighted to open our new campus to international students this year, and introduce our faculty of experienced and talented professors to new students.

“As we invite our students to our new, state-of-the-art Livingston campus we aspire to nurture a hub that champions creativity, entrepreneurship, and learning to inspire the next generation of talent.”