This project, published recently in the Journal of Dance & Somatic Practices, tells the story of how the members of Trio Joie de Vivre, Dr Catrien Wentink (piano), Mr André Oosthuizen (flute), and Prof Liesl van der Merwe (bassoon), explored new ways of rehearsing together. They used ideas from Rudolf Laban’s movement theory, known as Laban effort actions, to improve how they play and connect as a group. Their rehearsals focused on dance music, and they reflected together on what they experienced before and after each session.

They found that using movement words, like flick, dab, glide, float, wring, press, slash, in their sheet music helped them communicate more deeply without words, share a common musical intention, and experience what they call “group flow”, that special feeling of being completely in sync. This way of working created what they describe as an “Ecology of Practice”: a balanced, supportive environment that encouraged mindfulness, confidence, creativity, and joy. By rehearsing with Laban’s principles, the trio developed a richer musical interpretation and a stronger sense of togetherness on stage.

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Wentink, C., Van der Merwe, L. & Oosthuizen, P.A. 2025. Laban effort actions as a trio rehearsal strategy to create an ‘Ecology of Practice’: A collaborative autoethnography. Journal of Dance & Somatic Practices, https://doi.org/10.1386/jdsp_00143_1