Attention Professional Dancers, Experienced Dancers and Dance Students...

IRIE! dance theatre is hosting a Caribbean Dance Intensive from 8-9 April 2010 providing a special opportunity for dancers to study Traditional Caribbean dance, Caribbean Contemporary dance and the fusion of these dance styles.

The sessions will be taught by Oniel Pyrce a much sought-after dance, educator, performer and choreographer from Jamaica who is passionate about promoting an understanding of dances from the Caribbean from both a practical and cultural perspective.

Attend this 2-day intensive workshop to: 

• Enhance your practical and theoretical knowledge of Caribbean dance.
• Learn specific elements of Traditional Caribbean dances with an emphasis on musicality, phrasing, and style.
• Learn how to accurately demonstrate the basic body alignment, placement and movement qualities associated with Caribbean traditional dance technique.
• Gain a deeper understanding of the language or terminology used to describe these dance forms.
• Develop your dance technique generally and specifically as it pertains to Caribbean and Contemporary dance.
• Gain an understanding of the underlying philosophies of revolution, resistance, religion, social and political commentary associated with specific Traditional Caribbean dances.
• Develop your choreographic and performance skills – a short piece will be created during the workshop and there will be an informal sharing of this piece alongside three other works created by Oniel Pyrce.

Oniel Pryce, MA

Jamaica-born Oniel Ricardo Pryce is an experienced dance educator, administrator, performer and choreographer who specialises in the theory and practice of:

• Jamaican & Caribbean Traditional Dance forms,
• Jamaican Dancehall,
• Afro/Cuban technique,
• Caribbean jazz,
• Contemporary dance,
• Caribbean Contemporary dance.

Oniel has a Masters in Choreography from Laban (2008); a Diploma in Dance Education from the State University of New York (2003) and a Diploma in Dance Education from the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Oniel has lectured for the Edna Manley College and has also taught a variety of workshops for dance teachers throughout the Caribbean.  He has also acted as Adjudicator for the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) annual dance festival of the arts.

He has taught traditional Caribbean Dance for several dance companies and arts organisations in the UK including: 

• IRIE! dance theatre
• Caboodle Arts,
• Feedback 33,
• Goldsmith’s University,
• Bridgewater College, and
• Cornwall Youth Dance Company. 

Oniel's passion for teaching is equalled only by his passion for performing.  His UK performances include: