Alan has been teaching professionally since 1986. Alan has taught thousands of students across a wide spectrum of ages and abilities from the youth and community sector, professional students, actors, the disabled, through to professional companies.
Alan currently teaches for Dance Base Scotland’s National Centre for Dance (since 1990) and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (voted in 2021 as one of the world’s top three places to study the performing arts). He is also annually invited to the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts to give a masterclass in improv and choreography.
His technique class is Cunningham based and incorporates elements of Nikolais theories. His class offers a full body workout, centre combinations and travelling sequences. The classes emphasise precision, balance, alignment, clarity and fluidity of movement.
Previous teaching includes University of Huaqiao (Xiamen), The British Council (Shanghai) Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts, Scottish Dance Theatre (Creative Learning) Scottish Ballet Education, V-Tol Dance Company, Jonathan Burrows Group, London Youth Project, Scottish Youth Dance Festival and Dundee Rep Dance.
“Classes with Alan were always one of the highlights of my week, because of his character and his passion for dance. He always brought such charisma and motivation into the room that it was impossible to do his classes without a smile on your face or working to the best of your ability” Fergus, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
“Improvisation is a way of exploring myself; it’s been a great experience.”
A-Jull Lim (17) LPC, United World College of Hong Kong
“Working with Alan gave me real inspiration, enjoyment and a very challenging experience”
Leanne (20) Northern School of Contemporary Dance
All workshops are tailored to meet the specific demands and needs of the client group. Alan offers technique classes of 1.5 hours, 2 hour creative workshops, half, full day, masterclasses and week-long residencies
“ I wasn’t particularly fond of modern dance before you came, but your class makes me full of enthusiasm for it. I learned a lot of new things every lesson and you always encourage us” Lon Xin-Yan. Huaqiao University (Xiamen, China)
“Alan’s workshop was challenging and exciting. We were left with many interesting ideas that I am sure we will be using in the future. I had a brilliant time.” Helen (18) Laban Centre, London
“Dance Base is one of the many organisations who value and respect Alan’s work with people of all ages. He has a unique talent that is able to draw out natural creativity and keep control of a group without resorting to the conventional teacher pupil role models” Morag Deyes Artistic Director, Dance Base, Scotland’s National Dance Agency