Gap year put Ellen on road to success
A GAP year experiment has had a life changing impact on a young dancer set to join the ranks of one of the most prestigious conservatoires in the UK.
Ellen Coleman, 20, from Balsall Common, started dancing at the age of four with her two sisters and kept it up as a hobby throughout her school years.
After completing her A-levels in English, history, French and psychology she began to look at options for studying English at university-level, before deciding to take a gap year.
This led her to enrol at Coventry College on the Level 3 dance course, led by Rachael Bock, where she has flourished to the point that she is now set to move to London and study contemporary dance at Trinity Laban after a successful audition.
Studying at Trinity Laban, whose illustrious alumni includes Sir Matthew Bourne, a director, choreographer and dancer knighted in 2016 for services to dance, is an unexpected move for Ellen, but one she is delighted to be making.
She said: “I have always enjoyed dancing, but never really saw it as a career option, it was more of a hobby to me.
“I was just looking for something to do in my gap year, the college dance course is two years, but I thought I would only stay for one.
“Then I felt myself starting to grow in confidence.
“I didn’t find it easy to make friends straight away but we have such a great group and I think that is going to help me out going forward.
“I can’t believe where I have ended up, but Rachael has really helped me break down exactly what I need to do to become a professional dancer and she has believed in me throughout.”
Course leader and artistic director of the college-based Invoke Dance Company, Rachael has extensive industry experience.
She is trained in contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, ballet, tap and commercial dance, where contemporary dance and choreography remains as her main specialism.
She has performed at various venues throughout the UK, including dancing as support for Diversity at the LG Arena.”
She said: “I am so proud of Ellen and her achievements.
“Getting into Trinity Laban or a conservatoire of that level is what you dream of for your students.
“She has developed so much as a person and a dancer and it has been a delight to see.
“I thought I would only get to have her for one year, but it was a huge surprise when she decided to stay.
“She no doubt has a hugely successful career ahead of her and I am excited to see her progression.”
Coventry College offers training at all levels for aspiring dancers and performing artists, with classes taught by qualified lecturers who have extensive professional experience.