Adrienne Melling - Introducing Adrienne
Hi fellow artists and art supporters!
My name is Adrienne Melling, or sometimes known as Ren Melling Dance! I’m currently self-employed and working in Yorkshire, however I graduated with a First Class degree in Dance Performance and Teaching at the University of Central Lancashire. During my third year at university I delved into refining my practise in order to understand my values as an artist, this started when I undertook two research modules; choreography and facilitation.
My first solo choreography was ‘Jie Kai - Unravelling’; this was inspired by a range of martial arts such as Taekwondo, Tai Chi and Capoeira. The piece explores the rise and fall of energy projected from the body, around the body, and most importantly out into the space. Five dancers were exposed to a range of martial art fused creative tasks and went on a journey to discover the energy within their body and within each other. We wanted to understand the ways this energy could be visible to an audience as it was projected through the bodies into the space around them. You can see the highlights of this performance here : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8BddBZiNRA
Dancers: Kayleigh Whiteside, Hazel Loftus, Charlotte Young , Sophie Barrow
Simultaneously to this choreographic endeavour, I discovered Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s Theory of Flow. This theory was applied to my facilitative practise of a six week dance project which saw people aged 18-40 attempt to achieve something known as the “state of flow”. It has been said by many psychologists that to be in this “state of flow” allows you to be the most engaged, comfortable, and productive version of yourself. This definition is what I understood to be somewhat lost in the moment and unable to be distracted, which I realised I often experienced during improvisation. You can read my dissertation with the findings of this facilitative research here...
Both of these projects have led me to be the creative person I am today, along with many inspiring dance artists, incredible performance opportunities and what was possibly the most supportive university experience. I’m currently working for the incredible Dance United Yorkshire, taking on the delivery of a four year Resi/Dance project happening in Bradford. So far I have assisted on two 6 week intensive projects with hard to reach and disengaged young people. I have been involved in the delivery two Women’s dance companies as well as delivering a range of primary school and youth dance work. As well as this, I co-choreographed the piece ‘I’ve got the Yorkshire in me’ for Dance United Yorkshire’s professional performance company, Gradient.
Alongside my work with Dance United Yorkshire, I’ve done freelance work for companies such as AJ Dance Company, Lisa Simpson Inclusive Dance, Jigsaw Ballroom Dance, AE Performing Arts Academy and the Yorkshire Academy of Creative Arts and Dance. I feel sooooooooooooooooo lucky to have had such incredible teaching and performance experiences within my first year as a Dance Artist in a huge scary world! I hope you enjoyed reading all about Ren and feel free to email me if there’s something I can do for you,
Or you can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ Ren Melling Dance.
Stay safe,
Adrienne x
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