In another historic milestone, Dalcroze UK is delighted to announce the creation of the Dalcroze Laureate role, with Professor Karin Greenhead appointed as the inaugural Dalcroze Laureate from 3 August 2026.
Inspired by the great artistic and scholarly traditions of laureateships, this unique role has been created to celebrate, preserve and share the knowledge, creativity and legacy of Dalcroze Eurhythmics with future generations.
In this new role, Karin will take up her pen to write what Dalcroze UK anticipates will become the definitive book on the Dalcroze Method, drawing on decades of knowledge, unique insight and rich personal experience to bring the wonder of this method to a whole new audience.
Students currently completing their Licence or Professional Certificate with Karin will continue their studies under the Laureate banner, ensuring a seamless transition to the new era, as she begins this legacy-defining chapter.
In this new role, Karin will take up her pen to write what Dalcroze UK anticipates will become the definitive book on the Dalcroze Method, drawing on decades of knowledge, unique insight and rich personal experience to bring the wonder of this method to a whole new audience.
Karin holds a PhD, the Diplôme Supérieur from the Institut Jaques-Dalcroze in Geneva, and is a GRSM, ARCM and holder of the Advanced Diploma from the Royal College of Music, London, where she trained as a pianist, violinist and harpsichordist, later also as a singer.
As Professor of Music (Dalcroze Eurhythmics) at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, Karin teaches and also assists with doctoral supervision and research.
Karin has served as Dalcroze UK’s Director of Studies for many years, alongside roles as Vice-President of the Collège of the Institut Jaques-Dalcroze in Geneva and Co-Director of the Dalcroze Eurhythmics International Examination Board. She is also a founder member of the scientific committee of the International Conference of Dalcroze Studies.
An author of important academic papers throughout her career, Karin now brings her extraordinary depth of knowledge and experience to the creation of a definitive work that will help introduce the Dalcroze Method to future generations worldwide.
“We are proud to have signed such a world-renowned talent as Professor Karin to write our books and safeguard our pedagogy for the future generations”, Austen Atkinson, CEO, Dalcroze UK
Looking Ahead
New Joint Directors of Studies
From 3 August, Kaye Barker and Dr Andrew Davidson become Dalcroze UK’s new Joint Directors of Studies through a UK job-share arrangement.
A job share is a recognised form of employment in the United Kingdom, enabling two highly qualified professionals to share responsibility for a single role while working collaboratively and ensuring continuity through seamless handover. Reflecting modern charity governance and the value of shared leadership, this approach enables Dalcroze UK students to benefit from the combined expertise, perspectives, experience and energy of two exceptional leaders rather than one.
Kaye Barker is renowned for her warmth, generosity and inspirational teaching. Kaye holds the Diplôme Supérieur in Dalcroze Eurhythmics from the Institut Jaques-Dalcroze in Geneva — the highest qualification in the method, held by only five people in the UK — alongside a BA from Oxford, an MA in Education and a PGCE.
A former professional violinist with the BBC Philharmonic and the Bridge String Quartet, with whom she made her Wigmore Hall debut and performed on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, Kaye has spent recent years building and leading Dalcroze UK’s thriving Ealing training centre in London, while also teaching rhythmics at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama’s String & Bass Training Programme.
She has served as Artistic Director for Dalcroze UK’s international courses and taught as a guest artist in Australia, China, Singapore and Malaysia. Through Dalcroze UK’s partnership with the Playground Proms initiative, she has introduced thousands of children to the Dalcroze method, inspiring future generations to discover the possibilities of this extraordinary approach to music and movement.
Dr Andrew Davidson brings a wonderfully international perspective, artistic breadth and academic depth to the role. He holds the Diplôme Supérieur in Dalcroze Eurhythmics from the Institut Jaques-Dalcroze in Geneva, alongside a Master of Music and Dalcroze Licence from the Longy School of Music in the USA, and a PhD from the University of Surrey. An Australian musician and theatre practitioner based in London, Andrew is Senior Lecturer in Acting and Musical Theatre at the Guildford School of Acting (GSA)
Andrew was also the former Head of Dramatic Arts at the Australian Institute of Music. He serves as Vice President of the International Federation of Eurhythmics Teachers (FIER) and sits on the editorial board of the journal Le Rythme and has presented and taught across Australia, Asia, Europe and the USA.
After decades of study, teaching and international leadership, Kaye and Andrew now step into roles they have spent their careers preparing for. Together, they bring distinct yet deeply complementary talents to shape the next generation of Dalcroze teachers and musicians — expanding opportunities across the UK, opening new learning centres, reaching new audiences and demonstrating that Dalcroze is not simply a discipline to study, but a profession to aspire to.
“Kaye and Andrew bring different strengths, experiences and perspectives, yet complement one another beautifully,” said Austen Atkinson, CEO of Dalcroze UK. “Whether students work with Kaye or Andrew, they will be learning from exceptional practitioners. Together, they represent an exciting future for Dalcroze UK and will help shape the professional pathway for generations to come.”
These three historic appointments represent far more than changes in personnel. Together, they reflect Dalcroze UK’s ambition, confidence and commitment to the future: honouring an extraordinary legacy while embracing new models of leadership, learning and creativity.
As Kaye Barker and Dr Andrew Davidson begin shaping the next chapter of professional training, Professor Karin Greenhead begins capturing a lifetime of knowledge for generations to come.
Together, they ensure that Dalcroze Eurhythmics will not only continue to endure but also grow, inspire, and reach new audiences across the United Kingdom and beyond.
A remarkable new chapter for Dalcroze UK begins.
