VR Dance – Allowing young people to experiment with dance & technology

8 December 2021

We’re excited to share the latest film co-created, as part of our VR Dance programme, by students from Education Links and artists from BirdGang Ltd. This film was made during a week-long R&D intensive with Education Links ahead of their full participation in the programme this Spring 2022!

VR Dance is a free East London Dance programme for schools or specialist education providers in Newham and Redbridge working with young people aged 12-16 who have been excluded or are at risk of exclusion.

It combines immersive technology with physical performance allowing participants to explore alternative realities with their peers to encourage a wider conversation about positive and creative choices. The programme is designed to:

• Build confidence, self esteem & aspirations
• Strengthen peer networks
• Develop team building, problem solving skills & resilience
• Allow participants to express themselves through dance & technology

For this film students created their own movement material, inspired by the foundations of hip hop and got to experience what it’s like to give directions behind the camera.

With special thanks to the staff at Education Links

Filmed & Edited by Fi Silverthorn

Music by Andy Cooper & Joshua Barlow

The drumming appearing in the film was part of Community Links, Newham’s Music in the Air project.

VR Dance is funded by the Mayor of London’s Young Londoner’s Fund, for Spring 2022 it will be delivered across education providers in partnership with hip hop dance company BirdGang Ltd, technology partner Maskomi X PlayLa.bZ and co-designed by young people.

As an added bonus, here is a compilation of some of the dancing Avatars co-created with technology partner Werkflow and dance partner BirdGang Ltd, by young people who took part in VR Dance earlier in 2021.