About me

Want to find out about me? You’re in the right place! If you’re looking for career stuff specifically, scroll on down to my career timeline. If you’re feeling a bit nosey and want to know everything, keep on reading…

I fell in love with dance aged 14. I’m from a working class background and my family wasn’t ‘arty’ in any way shape or form; I’d never been to any dance performance, seen any type of art in exhibition form, or been to any festivals. All I understood ‘the arts’ to be was music (which was taught really badly at my school) and all I knew about dance was what I saw on Top of the Pops. I hated P.E and I wasn’t academic.

While dance stole my heart at 14, I started my dance training aged 8 because my dad said I needed to get a hobby! For those first few years, I felt a bit 'meh' about dancing. I had a few different dance teachers, and skipped around between schools. I didn’t like the private dance setting in many ways, but particularly because of 1) the pressure of trying to fit in - I was a late starter compared to most, a bit chubby and couldn’t find my place 2) the inherent favouritism and 3) the competitive nature that puts young people against young people. 

So what changed at 14? I moved to a more community-focused school. My teacher, Maxine, enabled me and the other senior girls in my class to always find the joy in dance. I’d found a home. I fondly remember ballet classes in particular were always filled with so much laughter! I couldn't get enough of it - spending 4 evenings a week at the studio.  

It was then that I thought, ‘hang on, I want this to be my life!’

Since then, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative effect dance and, more broadly, the arts in general has on people and places. I count myself in this because I can't imagine doing anything else. From the start of my career: teaching, managing, concepting, fundraising, consulting, working with young people &/or older adults, learning aerial skills such as hoop & silks…. to making it all happen - I carry my movement story and passion with me in everything I do.