In Conversation with Cameron McMillan

Central’s MA Choreography is an industry relevant, research based course aimed at helping professional and emerging choreographers to develop their portfolio. Central spoke to MA Choreography student Cameron McMillan about his experience on the course.

Hello Cameron, please can you tell us a bit about your background in dance and what made you want to start choreographing?

As a dancer, I was always interested in the creation of new work. I love being able to contribute to creating something new and sharing that with an audience. Experiencing the choreographic process was a big driver of my career direction as a performer and I wanted to learn the craft by experiencing as many approaches as I could. After dancing for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, English National Ballet, and Rambert, I became a freelance dance artist to work more closely with choreographers and to pursue my own choreography more seriously.  Choreographing for me is a way to explore the unique connection dance has with an audience, to find expression through the dancing body that resonates both emotionally and intellectually.

How would you describe your choreographic style?

Dynamic, highly physical, and complex. Music plays a big part and stylistically it can vary depending on the dancers I am working with. I am interested in people and reflecting human experience and connection, as well as creating dynamic structures on stage.

Why did you want to pursue an MA in Choreography?

Being a dance artist is an ongoing development process. Having worked as a choreographer in the profession for a number of years, I felt like I wanted to take time to focus on my practice outside of the working environment. I was interested in finding a space to step back from producing choreography, to breathe, hone and learn different skills, think, write and consider how I want to work moving forward.

Why did you choose Central for your MA Choreography?

The MA at Central has a great balance of practice and theory and is designed to integrate with the work we do in the profession. The MA’s connection to ballet while not being limited to this style, was interesting for me to consider my history as a ballet dancer, and its place within the contemporary context of my choreography.

Please can you tell us a bit about the workshops and projects you have worked on so far as part of the MA?

The work I have been looking at lies at the intersection of ballet and contemporary choreographic practices. In particular how contemporary ideas and concerns impact classical forms like ballet. Both styles are very natural to me from my experience as a dancer, so I don’t really define them as different from each other. It is ultimately all a spectrum of dancing and moving. However, what they can represent can be very different.

How has your experience been so far of studying the MA at Central?

As a mature student returning to post graduate study, it has been a process of learning and adaptation to the academic process. I have felt supported and challenged to frame my experience, as well as to push and grow, which has been great.

Please can you tell us about your experience of working professionally whilst also studying for your MA?

It was important to me to be able to maintain my professional life while studying and for the two areas to be connected. The MA is designed to integrate both spaces. It takes commitment to juggle work and study, but for me they contribute to the same goal.

How has your choreography developed since starting the course?

So far I have found the learning of the critical reflective process most enlightening. I am looking forward to how this process develops and applies to my choreography in the future for the course and beyond.

How do you feel this experience will influence your career as a choreographer?

Already there is an increased depth of knowledge, process and communication of my practice which I can see transferring into my professional sphere. I look forward to developing this further through the MA and informing the way I create work in the future. Having a post graduate degree will also add recognition of expertise and hopefully open doors into other contexts.

Find out more about the MA Choreography and how to apply here.