Students dance for BA (Hons) degree at East London University

UNIVERSITY bosses are opening dance studios next to London’s Canary Wharf for a new BA Honours course in urban practice’ dancing. The studios open tomorrow by the University of East London’s Institute of Performing Arts at Trinity Buoy Wharf arts complex opposite the O2 Arena.

UNIVERSITY bosses are opening dance studios next to London's Canary Wharf for a new BA Honours course in 'urban practice' dancing.

The two state-of-the-art studios open tomorrow (Friday) by the University of East London's Institute of Performing Arts at Trinity Buoy Wharf arts complex at Blackwall, opposite the O2 Arena.

University students on the BA (Hons) Urban Practice course are staging two choreography performances around the dock at the opening.

The course is the only Higher Education programme devoted to Urban Dance forms in the country and is said to be the fastest growing Dance degree in the UK, now in its third year. Its intake has tripled this month.

"We started the degree course because East London is fast becoming an international hub for urban dance," explained course director Mark O'Thomas.

"It's a radical approach to a Dance degree which offers students from all over the world the chance to continue their studies at a higher level, up to Master's and PhD level too."

Trinity Buoy Wharf provides space for artists and cultural events, both long-term and short-term and currently houses around 350 artists and creative businesses.