A bold new partnership between the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Sydney Dance Company is offering students the opportunity to co-create original works from scratch.
For the first time, student composers from the Bachelor of Music (Composition for Creative Industries) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music have collaborated with dancers from the Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Year (PPY) training program to co-create 20 original choreographic works.
The works, performed on stage at the Neilson Studio in Sydney, combined newly composed music and choreography as part of a reimagined third-year unit focused on interdisciplinary practice and industry readiness.
Music meets movement
The newly revised third-year unit, CMPN3335: Composition for Creative Industries 5, placed Conservatorium students in real-world theatrical contexts, where they created new works alongside Sydney Dance Company dancers and choreographers.
Amy Greenham, Bachelor of Music (Composition for Creative Industries) student at the Con, enjoyed the collaborative process.
“We communicated a lot in the beginning as we developed the structure of our dance, and every update brought new changes and ideas,” she said.
“It was exciting to work side-by-side with dancers who have a completely different skillset to composers and engage with music in such a unique way, as they followed their instincts and chose what felt right in their bodies. I loved hearing their perspective on what they noticed about the music and what stood out to them."
Student composers were challenged to step outside their usual practice and engage with new ways of thinking, creating and communicating. Photo: University of Sydney
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Link“Watching the dancers' workflow gave me tools for my own practice. Being flexible to move towards ideas that work and let go of what doesn’t work was a challenge, but helped give my composing direction. I had never thought of composing for dance before this class, but I can now say I’d love to do it again,” Amy said.
For Sydney Dance Company students Madison Smith and Aleisha Brown, working with professional composers inspired them to explore innovative approaches.
“This experience taught me a lot about creative collaboration in a professional context and the importance of artistic compromise, through communicating and being adaptable,” Madison said.
“Each session encouraged me to try out new moves that matched the music, while we shared ideas and worked together to shape the next track,” Aleisha said.
Dr Fiona Hill, Lecturer in Composition for Creative Industries at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, said the partnership between the two institutions is aimed at broadening the student experience and equipping students with skills transferable to the real world.
“This unit encourages adaptability and professionalism with students learning to work with new collaborators and navigate the complexities of a live performance environment,” Dr Hill said.
“To be able to bring this partnership to the undergraduate experience is incredibly special.”
The partnership between Sydney Dance Company and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music gives students skills transferable to various creative industries. Photo: University of Sydney
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LinkPreparing future creatives for professional careers
Students developed a broad set of professional and technical skills throughout the unit, such as re-writing music in response to feedback, mixing and mastering their work, discussing broad artistic concepts, and meeting performance deadlines.
This collaborative approach mirrors the integrated nature of the creative industries, enhancing students' capability to work with a broad range of artistic disciplines and helping them build valuable industry connections.
Linda Gamblin, Head of Training at Sydney Dance Company, said this partnership complements students’ coursework with real-world industry experience, highlighting the importance of a range of soft skills essential for both career readiness and personal development.
“This experience provided real creative challenges that demanded communication, adaptability and artistic bravery; qualities the students met with maturity and generosity. It not only elevated their performances but also sparked significant individual growth,” said Gamblin.
Dr Hill added: “Our partnership with Sydney Dance Company fosters mutual understanding and respect across disciplines, as composers and dancers learn from each other’s creative processes while bringing their shared vision to life.
“I look forward to continuing this partnership between Sydney Dance Company and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and watching our students grow not just as composers, but as thoughtful creative professionals.”
Hero photo: University of Sydney