DANCE FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING
My specialist work in participatory dance spans 20 years with a key focus on Dance for Health. I was the Artistic Director of Rambert's Mercury Movers Performance Company between 2013-2020. This dance company for the over 60's grew out of a programme of weekly classes I initiated in South London which had over 120 people were attending by 2020. The classes aimed to improve muscle strength, balance and movement memory in a social and fun environment. I created work collaboratively with company members which was performed at Move It, The Elixir Festival at Sadler’s Wells and Milton Keynes Theatre.
As part of my work in this field I have undertaken academic research in partnership with King's College London, Imperial College London and Dance West, exploring the positive impact of creative movement on physical and mental wellbeing and social isolation.
My experience in Dance for Health expands to work with vulnerable families and delivering weekly creative movement classes to staff and patients in the in leading London hospitals including Chelsea & Westminster and Evelina Children's Hospital. Evaluation studies of my classes show they build self-esteem, resilience, positive socialisation and reduce stress and anxiety levels.
DANCE IN EDUCATION
I have gained years experience teaching in primary and secondary schools (GCSE, BTEC and A Level). Using this experience, alongside my postgraduate qualifications (MA and PGCE) I work as a consultant advising schools on the implementation and delivery of academic programmes of study. I was the Advisory Teacher for Dance in Brighton & Hove for over 10 years and have extensive experience working closely with Headteachers and Senior Leadership teams.
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I am currently lecturing at Kingston, Kings College London, and Brunel Universities having lectured at Roehampton University for 6 years. I deliver BA and MA modules in Teaching & Leading, Professional Practice and Dance for Health.
CONSULTANCy FOR PROFESSIONAL DANCE COMPANIES
As an Independent Dance Artist, I have created nationally accredited education resources, workshop programmes and bespoke training for professional dancers at leading dance companies including Rambert, Hofesh Shetcher, English National Ballet, Richard Alston, Russell Maliphant, Jasmin Vardimon and Shobana Jeyasingh. These published resources have supported programmes of study in the current A Level syllabus and dance teacher's continuing professional development.
Current projects and Teaching
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Kingston University – Dance Lecturer
BA Level 5 & 6 Modules – Teaching & Leading, Dance & Professional Practice, Access to the Dance Industry
Kings College London University – Guest Lecturer on the Arts and Health Midwifery BA
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Brunel University – Guest Lecturer in Dance on the PGCE in Physical Education
Independent Education Consultant for Shobana Jeyasingh
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Artistic Director of a weekly dance classes for over 60's
Wednesday Morning 10.00-11.15am on zoom
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Dance West – Independent Dance Education Consultant
Teaching weekly dance and wellbeing sessions
Thursday 2.00pm on zoom
QUALIFICATIONS
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Birmingham University – BA Politics, Sociology and Dance
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Manchester University - PGCE Creative Arts
Trinity Laban - Postgraduate Diploma in Community Dance Practice
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London School of Contemporary Dance - MA specialising in Teaching & Leading, Somatics, Anatomy and Creative Practice
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