INTENSIVES
Photographer John Lyons
2026 WINTER INTENSIVE
DATE
Saturday 03 and Sunday 04 January 2026
LOCATION
Acosta Dance Centre, Artillery Square, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6BH
TIMES
09.30 - 11.00 Ballet
11.15 - 12.45 Contemporary (Graham Based)
13.45 - 16.00 Repertoire
16.00 - 17.00 Cool Down, Q&A / Coaching
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OVERVIEW
Join an Exclusive 2-Day Intensive with Eliot Smith Dance (ESD)
In partnership with Acosta Dance Centre
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Eliot Smith Dance (ESD), one of the North East’s leading contemporary dance companies, is heading to London for a special two-day intensive — your opportunity to experience the unique ESD style, rooted in the foundational techniques of Martha Graham and the company’s dynamic repertory.
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Led by ESD’s visionary Creative Director, Eliot Smith, alongside rehearsal director, Yamit Salazar, and guest ballet artist, Raymond Chai, this intensive features:
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Contemporary dance class (Graham-based)
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Ballet class
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ESD repertory
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Cool down
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Coaching and personalised feedback from Eliot Smith
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In addition to technique classes, participants will take part in discussions, video viewings, and Q&A sessions to gain a deeper insight into Eliot Smith’s creative process and artistic vision. This experience is designed to not only enhance technical ability but also expand each dancer’s understanding of their role in the evolution of contemporary dance.
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Whether you're new to ESD's work or already a fan, this intensive offers a powerful introduction to the company’s style and philosophy. No prior experience with ESD choreography is required.
AGE
18+
LEVEL
Dancers in training, Pre-professionals, Professionals
STYLE
Contemporary and Ballet
FEE
Two day pass £100
One day pass £60
REGISTRATION
Click here to complete online registration form.
PAYMENT
TEACHERS / ARTISTS
Raymond Chai
Ballet Artist
Eliot Smith
Contemporary Artist
Yamit Salazar
Repertoire Artist
BIOS
Raymond Chai has worked in Classical Ballet, Musical Theatre, and Television as a dancer, actor, choreographer, and teacher. As a classical ballet dancer, he danced with the National Ballet in Portugal in Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, The Rite of Spring, Graduation Ball, Raymonda, Napoli, La Sylphide, Carmina Burana, and There is a Time.
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Musical Theatre credits include lead dancer in Kiss Me Kate (Royal Shakespeare Company), 1st cover The Interpreter in The King And I (London Palladium), Luke in Anything Goes (Royal National Theatre and Theatre Royal, London), The Assistant Commissar and Club Owner in Miss Saigon (Stuttgart, Germany), Mr. Mistofelees in Cats (Hamburg, Zurich, and European Tour).
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Choreographies include Auf Wiedersehen Pet (BBC1); Variations on a theme of Paganini (National Ballet of Portugal); Brandenburg Suite (1st prize, National Portuguese Choreographic competition); Das Wieganlied, fur Dmitri (Hong Kong Ballet and Sommer Tanz Fest, Bern, Switzerland); Unexpected Song, Will You be My Messiah (Stuttgart, Germany); Romeo and Juliet (Staatsstheater Karlsruhe, Germany); Songs Without Words; Fantasy in G (Atelier at the Music Room, London); Taniec (Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, London); La Syphide (Slovenian National Ballet School, Maribor); Corellation (Tapas Dance‚ Äì Atelier at the Music Room, London).
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Raymond has guest taught for numerous dance companies including Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Ballet Black, Richard Aston Dance Company, Hong Kong Ballet, Marvin Khoo Dance Company, Ballett de Badisches Staatstheatre Karlsruhe, Ballett de Niedersachsische Staatstheatre HannoveR, National Ballet of Portugal, Singapore Dance Theatre, English National Ballet, Rambert Dance Company, National Ballet of Slovenia, Maribor, Rambert Dance Company and National Ballet of Slovenia & Maribor.
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Eliot Smith, to find out more click here.
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Yamit Salazar, to find out more click here.
ACCESS & FACILITIES
Click here to learn more about Acosta Dance Centre access, facilities, and location / travel
QUESTIONS
For questions, we would love to hear from you. Please email education@eliotsmithdance.com
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
