Photography by Amore du Plessis

Joshua Morrison is our 2021/22 recipient of The Jonathan Gollow Award for Performing Arts and is currently attending the Rambert Conservatoire in London to study for his degree in Ballet and Contemporary Dance. We caught up with Joshua after his first semester to tell us how his course has been going so far.

Q. What have you been working on in your studies so far?

Our first term has and actually our first year focuses mainly on ballet and contemporary techniques as core skills are a must for a dancer.  We have been introduced to many styles of Contemporary such as Graham, Cunningham and Gaga.  We train a full day, everyday! We start at 9 and finish anytime after 5pm; it took a number of weeks to get used to the number of training hours, I don't know if a dancer ever gets used to the soreness!!

Q. What kinds of challenges have you faced since studying as a student living in the UK and how have you overcome them? 

I had lived and studied in Liverpool for 2 years prior to Rambert so it softened the shock of moving to London.  I had lived on my own prior to Rambert so it was different moving in with a group of students, all on the same course, as we all have big personalites! I have had to learn how to budget as everything is expensive.  Dealing with monthly outgoings such as utility bills is new to me this year, but along with my housemates we are managing well.

Q. What has been a particular highlight of the last semester? 

Learning about the Graham technique has been the highlight for me.  This is based on Martha Graham's contemporary style and is very difficult, but I absolutley love it and look forward to more next term.

Q. How has the Isle of Man Arts Council Student Award helped you?

I have used the Jonathan Gollow award to subsidise my rent in London.  As my sister also studies in London, my parents have alot of outgoings with two of us!

Q. What’s next for you?

To stay focused on my dance and attend as many dance performances that I can while in London.  As a dance student, I get reduced price tickets for Sadler's Wells and I attend when I can.

Q. Where can we stay up to date?

I have Instagram @joshuamorrison_72