Industry Insights with Professional Dancer

Since graduating in 2016, Dance & Choreography alumnus Bakani Pick-Up has been featured as a dancer in a new music video, performed at prestigious venues and undertaken residencies with renowned choreographers.

Bakani was selected for Roses Gabor's latest video Illusions, which was produced by the Mercury Prize winning artist Sampha, who has worked with international stars such as Drake and Kanye West. Roses Gabor has collaborated with esteemed artists such as SBTRKT and Shy FX, lending her vocals to worldwide hits such as the Gorillaz single Dare.

Bakani explained: "One of the most rewarding aspects of performing in this video was the amount of support I received. I was given the artistic freedom to be myself as a dancer, so in a way it was somewhat reassuring to know that being myself was good enough."

Bakani currently works as a dance artist for the internationally recognised dance development agency Dance4, through which he has already received ample opportunities to sharpen his skills and learn more about his craft. He has performed at venues such as Tate Britain and Boomtown, as well as taking up residencies with esteemed choreographers such as Theo Clinkard and Russell Maliphant.

Speaking on his recent ventures, Bakani reflected: "I think performing at Tate Britain was a reaffirming situation, as an artist it is very important to focus on yourself so that the right employers will want you. Performing at Boomtown was also a fun experience, as it was the first dance performance that I did after graduating.

"The residencies I undertook with Theo Clinkard, Russell Maliphant and Leila McMillan have collectively helped me to realise the importance of embracing your own artistic way of being and how to make the most of it. These artists among many others have been pivotal in my artistic development."

Upon entering the world of professional dance and choreography, Bakani found that his time at Falmouth provided him with a level of understanding before entering the industry. He states: "I didn't notice how much Falmouth had prepared me for the professional world, with every day that passed the pieces of what I had learnt at Falmouth started clicking together.

I think the Dance & Choreography course and staff have an amazing sense for preparing artists and helping them find their feet. I wish I could do all three years again!"