Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, established in 2005 through the merger of Trinity College of Music and Laban Dance Centre, is a leading institution based in South East London offering specialised training in music, dance, and musical theatre. It is ranked 17th globally for Performing Arts in the QS World University Rankings and 133rd in England according to The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. The conservatoire’s academic strengths include Music Education, Dance Innovation, and Performing Arts.
 

The conservatoire serves about 1,300 students during the 2023/24 academic year, with a budget that reported a cash balance of £1.5 million at the end of the 2022-23 financial year. Its campuses are located in Greenwich, Deptford, and New Cross. The institution offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across a broad range of disciplines, including classical and popular music, composition, musical theatre, contemporary dance, choreography, dance science, and music education.

Trinity Laban’s vision is centred on "Excellence beyond Tradition," fostering a student-focused, inclusive, and pioneering environment that encourages collaboration between different art forms. It supports young artists through specialised programmes such as the Centre for Advanced Training for dancers and Junior Trinity for young musicians.
 

The conservatoire maintains academic partnerships with global institutions like the Beijing Dance Academy and the University of Melbourne, alongside industry collaborations including Studio Wayne McGregor and the Philharmonia Orchestra. It is a member of Conservatoires UK and the European Association of Conservatoires.
 

Leadership includes Principal Professor Anthony Bowne and Honorary President A.R. Rahman. The institution is committed to equality, diversity, safeguarding, and sustainability. Notable alumni include musicians such as Ilaiyaraaja and Tom Misch, and dancers including Sir Matthew Bourne. Further information can be found on their official website and LinkedIn page.

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance traces its origins back to two separate institutions, which later merged in 2005 to form the current conservatoire. The first, Trinity College of Music, was founded in 1872 in central London by Henry George Bonavia Hunt. 


Its original focus was the improvement of church music teaching. The college began as the Church Choral Society, providing choral singing classes and instruction in church music. In 1873, it became the College of Church Music, London, and by 1876, it was incorporated as Trinity College London. Admission was initially restricted to male students who were members of the Church of England.
 

In 1881, Trinity College moved to a new site on Mandeville Place near Wigmore Street in London. Over the following decades, it expanded into neighbouring buildings, which were united in 1922 with the addition of a Grecian portico and internal alterations including a concert hall. The college remained at this location for over a century. In 2001, Trinity College relocated to King Charles Court in Greenwich, part of the historic Old Royal Naval College complex. This required significant refurbishment to adapt the building, uncovering masonry from the Tudor palace beneath. The move cost £17 million.
 

The second institution, Laban Dance Centre, was founded as the Art of Movement Studio by Rudolf Laban, an Austro-Hungarian dancer and choreographer. The school moved from Manchester to Addlestone, Surrey, in 1958, then to New Cross, London, in 1975, where it was renamed the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance.

In 1997 it became the Laban Centre London. In 2002, it relocated to a newly constructed building in Deptford designed by architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron. This building won the Stirling Prize for Architecture in 2003 and includes thirteen dance studios, theatres, and a dance library, with features such as an eco-technological "brown roof."
 

In 2005, the two institutions merged to form Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. The new conservatoire combines training in music, dance, and musical theatre, offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses across a range of disciplines. Trinity Laban also developed specialised programmes for young artists, including the Centre for Advanced Training for dancers aged 12 to 17 and Junior Trinity for young musicians aged 3 to 19.
 

The conservatoire has formed academic partnerships with international institutions such as Beijing Dance Academy and the University of Melbourne, as well as industry partnerships with Studio Wayne McGregor and the Philharmonia Orchestra. It is a member of Conservatoires UK and the European Association of Conservatoires.
 

By 2025, Trinity Laban will serve around 1,300 students across three campuses in London. Its leadership includes Principal Professor Anthony Bowne and Honorary President A.R. Rahman, appointed in 2024. The conservatoire remains committed to providing high-quality education and training in music and dance, with a focus on equality, diversity, safeguarding, and sustainability. It continues to play a key role in preparing professional musicians, dancers, and performers in the arts sector.

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance offers a wide range of courses in music, dance, and musical theatre. These courses are designed for students at different levels, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and specialised training for younger students. The conservatoire provides a variety of programmes that develop skills in performance, composition, choreography, dance science, and education. The aim is to prepare students for professional careers in the arts by giving them practical training alongside academic study.
 

In the Faculty of Music, students can study classical music, jazz, and popular music. The conservatoire offers degrees such as Bachelor of Music (BMus), Master of Music (MMus), and postgraduate research degrees. The BMus courses cover areas like instrumental or vocal performance, composition, and music education. Students learn through individual lessons, ensemble playing, and theory classes. There are also opportunities to study conducting and music technology. Postgraduate students can focus on advanced performance, composition, or research in music.
 

Musical theatre is another key area at Trinity Laban. This course combines singing, acting, and dance training. Students learn to develop their skills in all three areas to become versatile performers. The musical theatre course includes individual coaching, group workshops, and performance opportunities. It prepares students to work professionally in theatre, film, and television.

The Faculty of Dance offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in contemporary dance and choreography. Students receive training in dance technique, improvisation, composition, and performance. The dance programmes include classes in anatomy, dance science, and somatic practices to support dancers’ physical health and understanding of movement. Choreography students learn how to create and develop new dance works. The faculty also supports research in dance and performance studies.
 

Trinity Laban runs specialised programmes for younger students. The Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) provides high-level training for young dancers aged 12 to 17. This programme helps develop technique, performance skills, and artistic awareness for students who wish to pursue dance professionally. Junior Trinity is a music department for young musicians from ages 3 to 19. It offers individual tuition, group classes, and ensemble playing. These programmes prepare young students for further study at the conservatoire or elsewhere.

In addition to core courses, Trinity Laban offers short courses, workshops, and community programmes. These provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to engage with music and dance. The conservatoire also supports professional development for practising artists through continuing education courses.
 

Throughout all courses, there is a focus on collaboration across music, dance, and musical theatre. Students are encouraged to work together to create performances that combine different art forms. This cross-disciplinary approach helps prepare students for the demands of the creative industries. The conservatoire’s facilities support practical learning with concert halls, theatres, recording studios, dance studios, and specialist equipment. Students have access to experienced teachers, visiting professionals, and opportunities to perform publicly.

• Trinity Laban is ranked 17th in the world for Performing Arts according to the QS World University Rankings.
• In the UK, it is placed 133rd in England by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.
• The conservatoire is recognised internationally for its training in music, dance, and musical theatre.
• It is a member of Conservatoires UK and the European Association of Conservatoires, which shows its standing among leading arts institutions.

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance has a strong record of graduate employment. According to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 82% of Trinity Laban graduates from music courses were employed 15 months after graduation. This is notably higher than the national average of 72% for music graduates across the UK. 
 

The majority of these graduates found work in artistic, literary, and media occupations (30%), followed by roles in teaching and childcare support (20%). A smaller percentage secured positions in secretarial and related occupations (10%) and business, research, and administrative professionals (5%)

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