The Place has appointed Dr Lise Uytterhoeven as new Director of Dance Studies to its conservatoire London Contemporary Dance School, a new role created to lead the growth and impact of the organisation's higher education programmes.
Dr Uytterhoeven, who trained in contemporary dance in Belgium and the Netherlands and who holds a PhD from the University of Surrey, joins The Place from London Studio Centre, where she has taught since 2006. As Senior Lecturer and Head of Learning and Teaching, she has led on curriculum design and development, including a pioneering MA in Dance Producing and Management. She also serves as the Chair of the Society for Dance Research and her monograph Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui: Dramaturgy and Engaged Spectatorship is currently in production as part of the New World Choreographies series with Palgrave Macmillan.
Dr Uytterhoeven said, "I am very excited to join The Place and work with its students, staff and wider community to ensure London Contemporary Dance School strengthens its position as a world leader in dance education. There are significant opportunities, as well as challenges, for dance in the years ahead. I envision that LCDS graduates will continue to play a leading role in shaping the future of dance in a rapidly changing, globalised world."
Clare Connor, Chief Executive of The Place, said, "with her cogent skillset and breathtaking passion for dance education Dr Lise Uytterhoeven brings a wealth of imagination to dance practice, programme design, employability and research. Together with the faculty, we will foster a learning culture for artistry, quality and innovation that places the student experience at its epicentre. These are exciting times!"
Choreographer Wayne McGregor added, "as Patron of The Place, I am genuinely excited by the appointment of Dr Lise Uytterhoeven and how she can support Clare’s vision to expand the impact of The Place both locally and internationally."