An artistic community

In 2016, I decided to take a bold creative step and move into a full-time position at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA North). This decision meant leaving the big smoke after 12 years and dragging my born-and-bred London partner up to the North of England, to live semi-rurally and start our life anew.

I am originally from a small town in Scotland and reconnected quickly with the beauty of being out of the city (people genuinely asking you about your day, seeing a sky full of stars at night, not having to rush everywhere). But I quickly got itchy feet to engage with some practical acting skills workshops: things that are so readily available in London. I searched but was unable to find anything that was practical, creative or explorative, particularly in the voice or movement specialities.

I was then recommended a weekend singing workshop, exploring technique, anatomy and damaged voices. This sounded incredibly interesting but had an eye-watering price point of £265. But for the first time in my life I had a full-time salary, so I decided to buy the tickets as a professional development workshop and use it as an opportunity to meet more like-minded creatives in the North. The workshop was packed (around 30 people) and the enthusiasm to learn among participants was palpable. I met not only singers but actors, voice coaches and movement coaches. It seemed my desire to engage in a practical workshop was felt by many others.

© GARY HORNER
A NCVM workshop in action

Despite this enthusiasm, I left disappointed. My world had shifted since moving and seeing this workshop through fresh eyes I was able to witness the structural powers at play. From the price point to the pedagogical style and the language used in the room, everything felt elitist. If I think back on all the workshops and conferences that I have attended I could see this elitism penetrating each one on various levels. It is as if all specialist teachers while calling often for collaboration secretly feel their discipline has all the answers and you are only welcome to that information if you dutifully pay your respects and empty your wallets at their shrine.

This attitude leaves many feeling unworthy of the knowledge that could improve their practice. In response to this and the clear need for access to skills-based workshops, I decided to set up the Northern Centre for Voice and Movement (NCVM). The NCVM is based at the ALRA North Campus in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

NCVM's vision

My aim is to co-create the future of the centre from an ethnographic approach. A place that is built with our northern community to make a non-specialist space that is inclusive to anyone at any level with an interest in the voice, movement and actor training. The NCVM is for anyone who has felt like they were practising in a bubble, it is for anyone who has been scared to go to a workshop with a master teacher because they didn't feel good enough, it is for anyone who has a passion for and belief in the transformative power of the arts.

Since our launch in 2018 we have run 8 workshops and over 150 people have engaged with our work. We have attracted some of the biggest voice and movement coaches to come and share their work with us, such as Kristin Linklater, Barbara Houseman, Jackie Snow and Ingrid Mackinnon. With three more workshops to come this year, the NCVM is moving from strength to strength.

What to expect

Each workshop comes with a suggested ticket price but if you are unable to make that price point you are still able to book a space on the course and pay what you can afford to.

When you arrive, you will be welcomed into a relaxed atmosphere where everyone is free to discuss and asks questions, you will always find me joining in with you and probably asking the first ‘stupid’ question that you are sure everyone else knows the answer to but nobody does.

You will receive world class professional training that responds to your individual needs, that allows you to take ownership over the work and to become empowered to use it on your own.

Inclusivity

There have been several highlights over the last 18 months but for me, the biggest achievement the NCVM has made is creating a space where anyone is welcome. To join in a workshop with such a wide range of participants (from an actor who has just completed the second season of a major Sky TV show to someone who has emailed me to ask permission to join because ‘they are just a teacher’) only deepens and enhances everyone's learning in the space. It allows us all to feel that we are not alone and it is my vision that the NCVM will create a new standard for all specialist training centres to follow.