CLARISSE ROUD
Clarisse is currently a visiting lecturer at Roehampton University and Canterbury Christ Church University, where she teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate dance programmes.
Trained in the Humphrey/Limón tradition at the Limón Institute in New York, Clarisse is passionate about supporting pre-vocational dancers in their learning journeys. Her teaching invites students to develop a deeper understanding of their physicality, build a strong and efficient technical foundation, and refine their artistry.
Clarisse facilitates both technique classes and company repertoire, guiding students in embodying the principles and complex coordinations characteristic of the Humphrey/Limón technique. Rooted in somatic experience, her classes explore concepts such as breath, weight, and the interplay of falling and recovering.
Rather than concentrating on movement replications or fixed shapes and vocabulary, Clarisse emphasises individuality by employing action-oriented tasks and sound cues to foster dynamic presence and personal expression.
This inclusive, student-centred approach aims to empower dancers to grow into articulate and confident movers—aware of their strengths, responsive to their sensations, and capable of making artistic choices with intention and clarity. Her teaching also incorporates a critical awareness of the cultural and historical legacies of modern dance that have influenced contemporary dance practice.
Clarisse is dedicated to fostering safe, supportive spaces where students feel encouraged to explore, experiment, and express themselves with confidence and integrity. She views the learning journey as a collaborative process and continually evolves her practice by implementing current, research-informed approaches to teaching and learning in higher education. Her classes are crafted as opportunities to embrace vulnerability, build trust, and celebrate curiosity.
Photo ©Zoe Knowles Photography
