Talking Back: Investigating the connection between the rhythms of voice and movement / Emily Cozens (2025)

This thesis uncovers new insights into the field of the connection between the rhythms
of voice and movement. It explores the three key concepts of embodied rhythm,
enabling constraints and using text choreographically, together with the use of
distillation as a methodological and choreographic process. Improvisation tasks and
scores were used to collect qualitative data such as choreographer observations and
structured group discussions with dancers. Sharings were also used as a way of
engaging with audience feedback through structured discussions. This thesis
proposes that the three key concepts explored work best synergistically, and are thus
most effective when used all at once to create a distilled piece. This has potential
implications for other artists and choreographers who wish to work with combining
voice and movement. This thesis also explores the development of the author’s
practice, which may be useful for other artists wishing to gain new insights by which
they might develop their own practice.