The Moving Pianist: Exploring New Dimensions in Choreomusical Performance Practice: Examining New Roles and Choreographic Possibilities for Pianists Through Collaborative Creations with Dancers

My research focuses on investigating and expanding the idea of the moving pianist, a role I have developed for this research, in which the pianist engages in choreography with dancers while simultaneously playing the piano. Situated within the field of choreomusical performance practice,
this exploration intends to convincingly promote and challenge the physical acts of the pianist. It seeks to extend and develop new methodologies to enable collaboration between the moving pianist and dancers, intersecting with choreographical roles in both existing and new compositions.

The portfolio is divided into three parts. It consists of three newly created works, accompanied by a written thesis, designed to be experienced and engaged with as a unit. Part I contextualises and threads together models and methods from studies of choreomusical collaboration and movement. This section aims to enhance the understanding of choreomusical performance and explore the potential of pianists and dancers, particularly through the lens of the moving pianist. Part II details case studies of three piano-dance collaborations, offering a critical analysis of the strategic and creative approaches employed in each. The relationship between the pianist and the dancer throughout the process of collaboration is examined, with a heavy focus on the role of the pianist which allowed me to test, explore and expand ideas in Part III. The final part presents three of my new works featuring creative processes, new findings and video documentation of my
performances. This part aims to incorporate and extend the areas I have investigated in Part I and II into investigating my new practice as a moving pianist.

Collectively, this research redefines the conventional role of the pianist in dance, offering new insights and understanding of the pianist’s role and physical capabilities in music and dance collaborations. Ultimately, expanding the horizons of choreomusical performance practice.