ABOUT
Rubix Dance is the banner under which freelance dance artist, Clare Marie Palethorpe delivers; with the desire to educate, inspire and create through the art of dance and movement. Delivering within a variety of settings such as educational, youth, community, wellbeing, private and for professional based organisations.
Clare performed professionally for many years as a dancer, vocalist and presenter within UK theatre tours and in television. Her extensive performing career ran parallel to her UK and International teaching/choreographical work, establishing her as one of the country's leading freelance dance artists for the last 22 years.
Clare’s work has always shown variety which stems from working within a variety of dance styles. Allowing scope for creativity and an all round wealth of knowledge within various areas of the dance sector.
Clare works with a wide demographic of people from all age ranges and backgrounds, illustrating the scope and versatility within her delivery of dance & movement work.
Since becoming a mother, Clare is developing her work and looking further into movement for both baby and mother during the postpartum period, along with creative family wellbeing, through the use of the arts. .
PRESENT PROJECTS
'Movement and More'
In August 2021 I was awarded funding by The Arts Council England for (DYCP)- Developing Your Creative Practice.
This was an opportunity for me to look at ways to develop my career post covid-19 and also after becoming a mother.
The funding has enabled me to get back in the studio as an artist, connect with local organisations for possible future projects, look at new avenues to take my work, along with finding new ways to become creative as a mother, artist and creator.
From my DYCP, 'Movement and More has emerged'. A whole new avenue to my work, looking at ways to combine baby/toddler massage/yoga, movement for mothers and creativity. Encompassing 'Creative Family Wellbeing' using the Arts.
At present my research has led me to delve into the world of postnatal recovery for mothers, and how mothers feel that time for themselves is one of the main things they are lacking in the early few months postpartum.
With this, it is has led me to look at how I can combine the following:
- Baby Massage
- Slow safe recovery movement for mothers
- Connective creativity between mothers and babies.
During this process I have been working with Worcestershire based WellWoman Physiotherapist, Fiona Mitchell.
I know as a professional dance artist, my body isn't the same as it used to be and working alongside a WellWoman Physiotherapist has enabled me to understand the female postpartum body even further.
As I continue my research into this area over the coming few months, it intrigues me more and more how the arts and creativity can have a huge impact on women both physically and mentally on their own individual road to postpartum recovery.
If you are a mother and have a little one under the age of 5, I would love your input into my research.
If you could give me just 2 minutes of your time to complete the following survey will help aid my R&D in this area further; along with creating a unique course for mothers and babies long term.
Evaluative Film from DYCP Movement and More December 20201
WHAT RUBIX OFFERS
DANCE EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS
Delivery of primary, secondary, Further and Higher Educational workshops.
Either cross curriculum, after school, modular or syllabus workshops.
Day or weekly courses.
CHOREOGRPAHY
Creation of bespoke and unique pieces of choreography for students through to professionals.
PRODUCING AND DIRECTING
Production and direction of theatre shows, dance performances or community arts projects.
CREATIVE MOVEMENT WORKSHOPS
Delivery of hourly or full day workshops created to develop your pupils/students creativity and choreographical skills through a variety of dance styles.
CPD FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY TEACHERS
Creation and delivery of CPD workshops for non-dance specialists. Helping teachers build the resources and tool kit to deliver creative/educational dance workshops confidently.
PROJECT MANAGING
Full project management and delivery of arts projects, both educational and community.
EXAMPLES OF CLARE'S WORK
CPD- Mentoring
My work has seen me deliver numerous CPD dance mentorship sessions within both Primary and Secondary Schools. These include workshops for community and arts based settings for teachers and youth leaders. This has enabled them to gain basic knowledge on how to lead a creative dance session, giving them a toolkit for delivery to young people.
Educational workshops
My educational workshops are designed for cross-curricuum learning; giving young people the opportunity to explore academic themes whilst being creative using a physical platform.
The workshops are ideal for helping start new topics and explore themes more in depth; along with aiding pupils who may struggle academically.
Project Management
Over the last 10 years my work has taken me further down the avenue of project management. "Being able to manage and collaborate with other artists, companies and performers is an area I feel I truly thrive in when working".
During my career, I have managed projects for large organisations such as The Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre, 'Get Dancing' Cultural Olympiad Project in 2012 through to self funded projects via the Arts Council and The Heritage Lottery.
SYLLABUS CREATION
Over the last 5 years I have worked in conjunction with The Associated Board of Dance - ABD, to create a unique contemporary dance programme of study. This POS has been designed for pupils to learn the basics of contemporary dance through Grade 1- Grade 5, along with vocational qualifications thereafter. This includes an Associate Teachers Qualification of which the syllabus is fully accredited through GQUAL.
Choreography
Looking for a unique piece of dance/theatre? My work over the years has seen me choreograph for a wide range of companies, including theatre, screen, events and productions, ranging from youth performances to professional works.
Summer Schools
Over the last 15 years I have been guest teacher for a variety of summer schools. Ranging from small UK based dance schools and national dance camps to large International summer schools in Italy, Singapore and China for The Royal Academy of Dance.
