Developing creativity in exceptional young dancers: An investigation of the Dance4 Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) programme

This research study is an investigation on the development of creativity in dance training for exceptional young dancers in the UK. The aim for this research is to articulate how creativity is conceptualised in dance training and to provide insight into how creativity might be further nurtured. The Dance4 Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) programme, a pre-vocational training programme for young dance talents aged 11-18 in the East Midlands, is the primary field of study. Through an ethnographically informed approach to dance studies, this qualitative research provides a multi-dimensional narrative. As the researcher, I take on the role of both a non-participatory observer as well as an active dance teacher in the programme, allowing for the teaching and learning of dance at Dance4 CAT to be examined from both the periphery as well as within. The notion of modalities of learning is proposed as a new approach in conceptualising how learning is achieved in dance training. In order to capture findings from the ethnographic field, the Replication-Discovery Model of Creativity in Dance Learning is devised to illustrate the relationship between pedagogic intent, modalities of learning and creativity. Through investigation, reflection and development of pedagogical practices and curriculum design, this research aims to contribute to the future development of the Dance4 CAT programme as well as training for exceptional talents in dance both nationally and internationally. This study argues for dance training that embraces the integration of multiplicities stemming from the agency of young dancers as a possible way of nurturing creativity.