Dance through Europe: an exchange of pupils and ideas between five dance schools in Europe Erasmus Project

Project Title

Dance through Europe: an exchange of pupils and ideas between five dance schools in Europe

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Creativity and culture; Cultural heritage/European Year of Cultural Heritage

Project Summary

The project “Dance Through Europe” was a strategic partnership for the exchange of knowledge, students and teachers between five partners in secondary education in Dance: Havo/vwo voor Muziek en Dans in Rotterdam The Netherlands (HMD), Escola De Dança Do Conservatório Nacional in Lisbon Portugal (EDCN), IIS NICCOLINI PALLI in Livorno Italy, Umjetnička plesna škola Silvije Hercigonje (previously Škola za balet i ritmiku) in Zagreb Croatia and Sukromne Konzervatorium in Košice Slovakia. In total 120 participants were on exchange during the project. About 500 local people were involved in the different activities. An online symposium between all partners in May 2021 concluded the project, which is artistically supported by Codarts, University of the Arts, Rotterdam.

Dance communicates without words being spoken and is a true universal language. This means that the future professional perspective of the students in dance is international by default. The international work field of professional dance is highly competitive. The dance students and teachers have seen and experienced this from up close during the exchanges. It opened the students’ eyes, as most of them otherwise never met their fellow international dancers before the auditions. Most of the talented dancers entering the top dance companies have followed an education at only a few top Bachelor programmes in the world. A qualification as a student to one of those excellent Bachelor programmes is therefore essential. For each school it has been challenging to secure acceptance of their students during the auditions. Next to pure dance skills on a high technical level, the possession of a strongly developed personal artistic profile/artistry is of fundamental importance to the dance student who wants to succeed in the auditions; besides skills like a professional attitude towards the work and the work environment, an open mind, ability to cooperate, communication skills, curiosity, ability to adapt, self-reflection, self-regulation, emotional awareness. To maximize the essential personal growth and development of skills needed to succeed in the auditions during secondary education, we believed that international exchanges enhance this process. This belief was indeed confirmed.

By following dance lessons and master classes in various styles (classical ballet, diverse contemporary styles, improvisation, composition, repertoire study, folk dance, and more), the students came into contact with unknown areas of dance and the associated different methodologies. It enhanced team work and individual development in both the dance and social field. Artistic coaching by the team of teachers during and after the exchange week, helped guiding and stimulating the process to a beneficial artistic development and a personal signature as a dancer.

Activities such as visiting professional dance organizations, performances and other cultural venues were part of the programme. Together with assignments and workshops that focus on orientation on the professional practice, these activities built on gaining insight in the country specific situation and broadened the students world perspective. It contributed to the students’ view on the future dance work field and network.

The mutual contacts between the students during reflections and feedback sessions contributed to the language and communication skills of the students. Discussions about the different activities during the exchange week took place, which stimulated their critical thinking and articulation. The students used digital ways to connect and built networks. The students improved the ability to relate to 21th Century skills like self-regulation, self-assurance, critical thinking and problem solving ability.

Assignments included working points, reflection essays, reflection talks, visual recordings and filling in a survey. These assignments helped the student think, analyze and reflect and let us understand the contribution of this project. The students developed skills that enhanced their professional attitude, and gained an improved understanding on how to put this into practice in all required situations within their daily practice (classes, rehearsals, presentations, repertoire, auditions).

With the funding of the Erasmus+ programme we enabled the possibility, together with our partners, to research and assess the value of an international exchange. The international elements and the confirmed benefits and personal growth for dance students, created a drive to maintain exchanges as part of the school’s curriculum. Furthermore, the project professionalized the accompanying teachers and through their experience anchor the international dimension of dance education within the schools. The international experience, learning from peers, perspective on other school systems and associated results, created an incentive to ensure continuous improvement and development through an in-depth 2nd Erasmus+ project.

Project Website

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/#project/2018-1-NL01-KA229-038962

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 152126,25 Eur

Project Coordinator

Stichting voor interconfessioneel en algemeen bijzonder voortgezet onderwijs voor Rotterdam en omgeving & Country: NL

Project Partners

• Escola Artística de Dança do Conservatório Nacional
• Umjetnicka plesna skola Silvije Hercigonje
• IIS Niccolini Palli
• Sukromne konzervatorium, Zadielska 12, Kosice