VIV SLAYFORD
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, SWINDON DANCE
Viv trained at Laban and Swindon Dance.
She began her professional career as a dancer with Theatre of Motion Dance Company and during this time achieved her teaching qualifications. Viv has nearly 20 years experience teaching dance at Swindon Dance and as part of the studio’s Outreach & Education Department at various schools throughout Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Hampshire as well as Swindon College, New College, Marlborough College and the Children’s University, Swindon.
Viv has taught classes and led projects in Jazz, Contemporary, Choreographic & Creative dance, GCSE and A Level Dance, from parents & toddlers to young children, teenagers & adults in both community, school and college contexts, including the Youth Talent Programme and has also choreographed and managed numerous youth platforms and shows. She was one of the instigators and teachers for the Marlborough Dance Project, and the Fairfields Centre for Dance & Drama in Basingstoke, Hampshire.
In 1992 Viv moved into project management beginning as the co-coordinator for the Texaco Youth Dance Course and Swindon Dance’s gala performances both at the Town Hall and Wyvern Theatre, these included: Dance Mix ’97 and Dance Mix ’98, ‘Taking Risks Festival ‘99 gala performance at the Wyvern Theatre, Dance Mix 2000 continuing through to the 2005 gala celebrating Swindon Dances’ 25th birthday.
She has also successfully managed a number of different projects for Swindon Dance, such as, DansConnect – Swindon Dance’s own educational dance company. Taking Risks 2001 - Swindon Dance’s regional dance season. DanceZone Stepping-up - A project working from ‘taster’ to ‘access’ training in dance for 14-19 years. DanceZone & SkoolZone dance projects - A number of motivational short courses in dance ending with a special performance event, for 15-19 year olds not in mainstream education. The Swindon College Foundation Dance Course - Sickness cover for course Project Manager. The Youth Talent Programme - A unique, yearly coaching course of excellence for young dancers aged 10 – 18 years. Numerous Youth and Community Galas at Swindon Dance and the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon; Ludus Dance Company Swindon Residency – a project looking at teenage pregnancy & parenting through film and dance. The Youth Dance Academy – Part of the DFE gifted and talented development to provide an advanced dance training scheme for 11-17 year olds who have (exceptional) potential in dance in the South West region. The YDA has 3 programmes, a Contemporary programme based in Swindon, an urban programme also based in Swindon and a Contemporary programme based in Exeter.
Viv became Artistic Director of Swindon Dance in February 2016
Download Viv's biography here