About

I am a Senior Lecturer in Dance where I deliver on the BA (hons) Dance and Movement for Wellbeing and MA Dance and Choreography. I am responsible for the delivery, development and assessment of core curriculum modules including Creative Community Practice and Advanced Research Methodologies.  I also supervise undergraduate and post-graduate dissertations.

Professional interests

I have a significant interest in inclusive pedagogy for choreographic practice and ballet practice. I act as Consultant for a flagship projects at the Royal Ballet and Opera which look to make the delivery of choreography and ballet practice achievable for both specialist and non-specialist teachers, young people and cohorts who may never have experienced ballet. Projects with Royal Ballet and Opera have had national and international reach attracting award nominations for the We All Dance project in Brisbane 2017. I have also undertaken projects at the Royal Ballet School introducing and developing choreographic practices to students and associates. I currently act as a tutor on the Royal Ballet Schools teacher training course. I have worked extensively as a dance artist for many of the major dance companies in the UK including the Royal Ballet Company, Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet and acted as an animateur for Rambert Dance Company for many years. I am a fully qualified Dance and Movement Psychotherapist and have an interest in how methodologies used to undertake embodied therapeutic practice can be translated into professional artistic practice.

Research interests

I have a particular interest in ballet education and the use of ballet technique as a creative tool for choreographic and artistic exploration. I am currently exploring inclusive ballet practices in recreational and vocational settings. I am also interested in the use of improvisation as a tool for self-expression and for developing choreographic practice. The common ground between dance and movement psychotherapy in educational and professional contexts sits at the heart of my research and practice.

Membership of professional bodies

I am a member of FCD, FHEA, and One Dance UK. 

Qualifications

• BA (Hons) English and Philosophy, University of Manchester
• Pilates Instructor, STOTT Pilates
• MA Dance/Movement Psychotherapy, Laban
• PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education, University College of Christchurch
• Full-time professional training in Dance at Northern Contemporary Dance School
• Full-time professional training in Dance at Arts Educational School
• Cecchetti Scholar

Recent conferences

Panel member for symposium hosted at Royal Opera House chaired by Theresa Ruth Howard discussing cultural diversity in ballet training - July 2019. 

I will be speaking at the Annual Conference for the Royal Society of Psychiatrist in July 2025

Experience in industry

• Dancer/performer
• Dance practitioner with major dance companies
• Project work with Royal Ballet and Opera, Royal Ballet School, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Buxton Opera House, Deda, Rambert Dance Company
• choreography commissions for Buxton International Festival
• choreography commissions for Royal Ballet School
• author of commission from Ballet Education Group to explore the development of resources in the UK regarding ballet education
• author of Level 6 choreography programme for ISTD
• ballet tutor on CAT programme at FABRIC Nottingham

International experience

• Work representing Derby University at the HAMK Summer School in Finland
• residency at Music Centre Los Angeles USA in collaboration with Royal Ballet Company and Straight Up Abilities Dance Company to choreograph an original piece of dance 
• 'We All Dance' project in collaboration with Royal Ballet Company and Queensland Performing Arts Centre, nominated for 2 dance awards in Australia - 2017
• 'Swan Lake' project in collaboration with Teatro Real, Madrid and Royal Ballet - choreographer of new 'Swan Lake' resource
• Work with Royal Ballet Company supporting tours in Japan (2016, 2019), Hong Kong (2008) Taiwan (2011) Chicago (2013) Madrid (2018)

Additional interests and activities

• Film and fell running/walking