Gavin Coward

Dancer & Artistic Associate

Born in Leeds Gavin started disco dancing in the late 80s at his local community centre, he then went on to train at the Northern School of Contemporary dance, where he graduated in 2001. He has been contributing to the UK dance sector for the the last 22 years as a dancer, choreographer, mentor and teacher.

He has a long standing relationship with Liv Lorent and is a creative partner for balletLORENT, performing in an array of the companies work, from their award winning trilogy of fairytales Rapunzel, Snow White and Rumpelstiltskin to the companies adult, site specific, film and durational works. Other Performance credits include international touring with Hofesh Schechter and Mathew Bourne and work with Requardt & Rosenberg, Fuel theatre and Gary Clarke. He has worked as a physical actor on major motion picture films including World War Z and The Mummy and has performed with The Pet Shop Boys on The One Show (BBC), The National Television Awards and in their music video of Monkey Business.

Gavin as choreographed, received commissions and taught for a number of institutions, Schools and Youth Companies across the UK from Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Scottish National Youth, Y Dance and both the CAT programme and degree at Dance City. He has extensive experience and passion for dance education working with children, primary level and bringing dance and art experiences to their schools. He’s acted as movement director for various Northern Stage productions and was selected to take part in Yorkshire Dances SKETCH programme looking at choreographic practice and dramaturgy.

He makes work for festivals, outdoor settings and experimental short films under the company name of Paradox Pictures and he is a collaborator, champion and creator with Curious Arts a charity developing LGBTQIA+ arts, artists and communities across the North of England.

Photo credit: Luke Waddington