Darren Carr
Darren joined LJMU as a senior lecturer in 2004. In 2007-2009 Darren was awarded by CETL (Centre of excellence in Teaching and Learning) a sabbatical to form a small Integrated company of able-bodied dancers and dancers with disabilities, to research into inclusive practices and integration through the creative process. In 2009, Darren graduated with a distinction on an MA in Dance Studies.
His current Project JMUp IN(tegrated) Dance, reflects upon the nature of peer learning within an integrated environment for dance undergraduates and community based practitioners. His research and practice in this area was recognised in 2009 by an LJMU Curriculum Innovations Award. Darren studied at Middlesex Polytechnic, where he graduated with an honours degree in Dance. After creating several works for small regional companies, he spent a year in New York studying the choreography, repertoire and the technique of Doris Humphrey. His interest in Labanotation for education and reconstruction facilitates his desire to keep an archive of past choreographies alive. Darren has created and performed work at professional level including Dance Northwest’s Leap festival, and with his company X-Closion (2006-07). He has taught extensively in Primary, Secondary and Further Education before joining the full time staff at LJMU. His research-informed-teaching is focused on employability for dance graduates, developing curriculum materials in response to the industry and professional practice. As part of this Darren co-ordinates and oversees the placement of all dance undergraduates in work based learning within administration, education and performance contexts. He continues to run short professional development courses for teachers and students in schools and colleges. His interest in “the employability of a dance student” is a research interest developed since 2006 (and presented at national conferences).
Current Post
Senior lecturer, Dance (Programme Coordinator)
Qualifications
MA Dance studies (Distinction)
PGCert in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education
Post Graduate Certificate of Education
Adv.Dip Choreological studies
Adv Cert Labanotation
B.A. Hons Performing Arts (Dance)
Courses (Subjects) taught
Dance: Working with an Artist level 4; Professional practice level 4; Workshop practices (educational theory in context) level 4; Studio Practice level 5; Making dance level 5; Facilitator as performer level 5; Reading Dance in Practice level 5; Screen Dance level 5; Artist as facilitator (teaching) level 5; Dance professional practice level 6; Work based Learning (dissertations) level 6; Teaching and facilitating selected groups level 6; Work based learning B (performers route)
PE KS 2/3: Advanced skills in PE (Dance)
Education Studies with PE: Advanced skills in PE (Dance)
Courses: In-service training courses for dance teachers (AQA) (Enterprise)
Faculty ‘pick n mix’ course provision for schools (Dance) (Enterprise)
Dance short course Contemporary (Enterprise)
JUMP IN(tegrated) Dance and disability project
Career history and current interests
Professional Dancer/artist./choreographer. Then full time teacher in school from this progressed into FE and then into HE.
Interests: Teaching & learning styles, project based learning, peer, student lecturer collaboration in action based research (practice as Research) creativity, methods of assessment.
Professional and Research Interests
Developing integrated practices for the dance graduate through a valid learning community (dance and disability)
Bridging gap, skill and experience‘s essential for students progressing into the industry.
Student experience
Language and blended learning
Professional activity/Consultancy/successful bids
JUMP IN(tegrated) Dance. Three successful CETL funded sabbaticals.
Consultancy and collaborative projects with the Brindley theatre and StopGap International dance company.
Created a work for JMUpStart (Edinburgh Fringe Festival)
Recent Performances
You to me and back again2 performed by JMUp IN(tegrated) Dance at Sudley Theatre January 2009. You to me and back again3 performed by JMUp IN(tegrated) Dance at Brindley Theatre March 2009; Sudley Theatre May 2009; You, To me to You performed by JMUp IN(tegrated) Dance as part of International Day of the Disabled Person, November 2009, in the Greenbank Sports Academy.
Publications
