Central Introduces New MA Choreography Cohort

Two new students have joined Central School of Ballet this January to undertake the 18-month MA Choreography course. Cameron McMillan and Daniel Davidson will work with Central’s MA Choreography Lead, Susan Kempster, to develop their choreographic practice and portfolio. The course has been specifically developed to explore and interrogate classical and contemporary ballet forms. The course is designed to be flexible which allows students to research and develop critical thinking  while continuing to work professionally as either a freelance dance practitioner or a dance company member. The specialisation of the MA Choreography in ballet, makes the course unique in the UK, and involves the development and refinement of prepared material for studio or theatre-based performance.

Cameron McMillan describes his choreographic style as “complex, architectural, dynamic, highly physical, and emotionally resonant.” Through the MA he hopes to consolidate his experience and find new perspectives for his work; looking to the future with fresh ideas and skills to articulate them.

Cameron, born and raised in New Zealand, is a London based choreographer, dance artist and teacher with work spanning contemporary dance, ballet, opera, film and fashion. Classically trained at the Australian Ballet School, he has danced for companies including Rambert, Sadler’s Wells, and English National Ballet. With the creation of new work always being a driving factor in his dance trajectory, both as a dancer and developing choreographer, he began creating his own work alongside his performance career and has since created for companies and schools including, The Royal Ballet Of Flanders, Rambert, and Brisbane Festival. He has been Artist in Residence at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Associate Artist with the UK’s Dance East, and Rehearsal Director for UK company Ballet Boyz.

(Image by Marton Perlaki)

Daniel Davidson spoke of his first month on the course: “The MA is allowing me the opportunity to explore and try new ways of working in an educational and supportive environment. I am being encouraged to try new methods and ways in which to generate work and I already feel that this is aiding my development as a creator.” On the rise as a choreographer, his ambition is to continue to develop after completing the MA course and eventually make work for top companies around the world.

Daniel was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and trained at The Dance School of Scotland and Millennium Performing Arts. He joined Scottish Ballet in 2005 where he performed works by renowned choreographers such as Richard Alston, George Balanchine, and Matthew Bourne. In 2014 Daniel joined Rambert and has performed in works by Mark Baldwin, Christopher Bruce, and Kim Brandstrup amongst others. Daniel now works as a freelance artist and choreographer. His choreographic works include: MOTHER for Rambert’s Blueprints, Heavenly Bodies created for the Ballet Nights Gala in London, and HOVER for National Youth Ballet at Sadler’s Wells (2022).

(Image by Juan Gil)