Programme of Study
The MA in Contemporary Dance Performance is a one-year full- time postgraduate programme. Students may be permitted to extend their study over a second full-time year, subject to available places, the agreement of the Course Director and the head of the IWA.
The programme consists of six, three credit modules ( four core and two elective). The core modules for the first two Semesters are Dance Skills for Performance (1 and 2) , Dance Performance Repertoire (1 and 2. ).
The IWA Autumn and Spring Electives are self-directed programmes which allow students to specialise further in an area of programme specialisation or select a project based on expertise available in the other area of study at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance including:
- Ethnochoreology
- Irish Traditional Dance Performance
- Ethnomusicology
- Music Technology
- Classical String Performance
- Chant and Ritual Song
- Music Education
- Music Therapy
- Irish Traditional Music Performance
An elective may be academic or performance based and is selected in consultation with the course director.
During the third Semester students are required to undertake an individual performance project.
For the final performance exam (Part 1) the students perform a programme of ensemble and solo choreographies that have been created throughout the year under the direction of guest choreographers and the Course Director. This exam takes place at the end of the second Semester. Students submit individual performance projects for their Final Performance Exam (Part 2).
Careers:
The programme is beneficial for students wishing to pursue careers in dance performance (solo and ensemble), improvisation, choreography, devising original works for performance, devising and producing original works, teaching dance.