Parable Dance UK offers inclusive dance workshops and weekly classes in the South East and training and networks nationwide. Formed in 2019, Parable Dance have already delivered projects for clients including; Sadler’s Wells, The ISTD, RAD, babyballet, Senter for dansepraksis, NYB, AED and 10 universities.Projects have included; one off workshops, professional development sessions, mentoring and being on selection and discussion panels. In 2020 we secured Arts Council… Show more Parable Dance UK offers inclusive dance workshops and weekly classes in the South East and training and networks nationwide. Formed in 2019, Parable Dance have already delivered projects for clients including; Sadler’s Wells, The ISTD, RAD, babyballet, Senter for dansepraksis, NYB, AED and 10 universities.Projects have included; one off workshops, professional development sessions, mentoring and being on selection and discussion panels. In 2020 we secured Arts Council England funding to create a much-needed film resource for dance teachers which featured the advice of 42 of the UK's most experienced inclusive dance companies and freelancers. A link to this free resource is available on my Linkedin profile and can be found on our YouTube channel.We subsequently received funding to develop the work we started with our film, by taking the film, panel events and professional development sessions into universities to inspire the next generation of inclusive dance artists. We created NEID; The Network for Emerging Inclusive Dancers and the ‘inclusive cuppa catchup' network. We developed an inclusive dance mentoring project which we have successfully run for three years and in 2024 we launched The Inclusive Dance Directory which brings together news and resources for the whole dance community.We're based in Sussex and were excited to get weekly classes for children and adults with learning disabilities started in Brighton in January 2022 in partnership with South East Dance and Carousel. We have now received support to run these until at least Easter 2024. As well as weekly classes we deliver outreach workshops across the South East and participatory projects in partnership with other organisations.“Incredibly trustworthy, professional, and caring. They value high quality, honest engagement no matter the scale or scope of the project” Elaine Foley, Project Manager, Learning & Engagement, Sadler’s Wells Show less

I have worked as a freelance Inclusive Dance practitioner since 2000. I specialise in delivering high quality dance classes to people with and without disabilities and in designing and delivering training and mentoring to enable others to develop their skills of inclusion. Recent/current highlights have included:Being invited to be the Inclusive Dance expert on the South East Dance U.Dance selection panel - assessing groups for the national annual One Dance Uk Festival yearly… Show more I have worked as a freelance Inclusive Dance practitioner since 2000. I specialise in delivering high quality dance classes to people with and without disabilities and in designing and delivering training and mentoring to enable others to develop their skills of inclusion. Recent/current highlights have included:Being invited to be the Inclusive Dance expert on the South East Dance U.Dance selection panel - assessing groups for the national annual One Dance Uk Festival yearly (2016-2022)Being invited by Sadler’s Wells to be an associate artist - teaching and mentoring (current) and a panel member for the National Youth Dance Company auditions (2018, 2019 & 2020).Being a member of The RAD (Step into Dance) teaching team (2018-2023).Being a mentor on the MA dance research programme at Rambert School (current). Past highlights include: Teaching a number of inclusive dance projects as a freelance teacher for councils, organisations and schools. These have included workshops in a number of special schools in the South East and for; Laban, Essex Dance, South East Dance, Maidenhead Council, Epic Arts, The Specialist Schools Trust and Attitude Youth Dance. Also numerous inset training days for special school teachers and dance practitioners. Show less

The Creative Council is made up of professional artists and practitioners from across the sector to help steer the direction of the theatre as they look positively towards the future. The Creative Council:Provide artistic, operational and programming support and scrutiny, Give freelance practitioners a key strategic voice within a building-based producing theatre,Give voice to artists and practitioners who currently engage or would like to engage with R&D,Strengthen existing… Show more The Creative Council is made up of professional artists and practitioners from across the sector to help steer the direction of the theatre as they look positively towards the future. The Creative Council:Provide artistic, operational and programming support and scrutiny, Give freelance practitioners a key strategic voice within a building-based producing theatre,Give voice to artists and practitioners who currently engage or would like to engage with R&D,Strengthen existing relationships as well as developing new ones ,Foster meaningful conversation and to embed co-creation from the earliest stages of the planning process,Inform how artists are welcomed and how work is developed; measuring Royal & Derngate’s culture against industry best practice Show less

Spymonkey is the UK’s leading physical comedy company. The role of Education and Training Officer involved the development of all training offers and project management. This includes tasks such as; liaising with clients and participants, project planning, booking team members, budgeting, developing partnerships and supporting business development. Workshops included Clown masterclasses, music and comedy workshops, devising workshops and residencies. These took place largely in the UK and USA… Show more Spymonkey is the UK’s leading physical comedy company. The role of Education and Training Officer involved the development of all training offers and project management. This includes tasks such as; liaising with clients and participants, project planning, booking team members, budgeting, developing partnerships and supporting business development. Workshops included Clown masterclasses, music and comedy workshops, devising workshops and residencies. These took place largely in the UK and USA. During the pandemic the role also included developing a range of online workshop offers. Show less

As Project Manager for The Sixteen Trust, I was responsible for designing and developing a new mentoring programme which paired artists from multiple disciplines, with young people in Thanet. In our first year, the programme was a huge success and had a significant impact on the confidence of the young people involved during the pandemic. Post pandemic we expanded into more schools and offered an exciting new online gallery space for students to curate.

DPA provide immersive theatre experiences for children with complex additional needs and their families. May- June 2019 & Oct 2019: In the role of Artist Advocate I worked with artists from Carousel to support them to become facilitators on the DPA team. My role involved supporting the artists in team building workshops, when delivering training sessions and when performing in immersive theatre/ cinema shows. This exciting project was the first time DPA had branched out to have a… Show more DPA provide immersive theatre experiences for children with complex additional needs and their families. May- June 2019 & Oct 2019: In the role of Artist Advocate I worked with artists from Carousel to support them to become facilitators on the DPA team. My role involved supporting the artists in team building workshops, when delivering training sessions and when performing in immersive theatre/ cinema shows. This exciting project was the first time DPA had branched out to have a neurodiverse delivery team and was an exciting development to be part of.Nov 2019-July 2020: In the role of Arts Administrator I supported the smooth running and development of the company and projects including; recruitment, policy review, GDPR compliance, fundraising and social media. Projects I worked on included the launch of an immersive sensory theatre show 'Wildheart' and an online play skills training programme during Covid-19. Show less

In this role I ensured compliance for Ofsted and charity law. I also had responsibility for reviewing all policies and procedures for both the children’s project and youth project and reviewing and supporting all staff with their training needs. This was a short term contract 2 days a week until January 2020 after which time I remained as a visiting consultant for the project.

Magpie Dance is a dance Charity for people with learning disabilities, based in Bromley.I took on the role of Co Artistic Director of Magpie Dance between July 2017 and August 2019 whilst the organisation was going through a transition period (following the founding Artistic Director’s retirement). I worked for Magpie Dance in various other roles between 2003 -2017 including Youth Group Director, Training coordinator and Inclusive Dance Practice Training (IDPT) Programme Leader.… Show more Magpie Dance is a dance Charity for people with learning disabilities, based in Bromley.I took on the role of Co Artistic Director of Magpie Dance between July 2017 and August 2019 whilst the organisation was going through a transition period (following the founding Artistic Director’s retirement). I worked for Magpie Dance in various other roles between 2003 -2017 including Youth Group Director, Training coordinator and Inclusive Dance Practice Training (IDPT) Programme Leader. In the role of Co Artistic Director, I was excited to plan across company Artistic projects, which brought together the participation and performance strands. I co wrote a four year Artistic plan for the organisation, seeking to secure a stronger core artistic vision and strengthen the organisation’s financial position. Alongside this work I had responsibility for the training strand, promoting outreach workshops and Inclusive Dance CPD by developing relationships with partner organisations nationwide. I also oversaw all quality control for the extensive programme of classes and provided support and appraisals for the whole freelance team (24 people). I received an award for ‘Visionary Director’ (YEEA awards 2018) for the contribution I made to this role.A notable achievement during my time at Magpie Dance, was writing the Inclusive Dance Practice Training programme. This course is the only one of its kind in the UK, teaching dance teachers the skills of inclusive dance practice. The course has now achieved Affiliate status (endorsement) from CDMT. I have been mentoring teachers on this programme since 2010. Show less

Rounded Rhythm was founded by Artistic Director Emma Vernon-Harcourt (co founder of Epic Arts). Rounded Rhythm received Arts Council funding and support from Brighton & Hove Council and South East Dance to set up inclusive youth dance companies in Sussex. As Outreach Manager I liaised with local mainstream and special schools to arrange workshops and get young people involved in our projects.I also taught a number of inclusive dance workshops in schools around Sussex and led the… Show more Rounded Rhythm was founded by Artistic Director Emma Vernon-Harcourt (co founder of Epic Arts). Rounded Rhythm received Arts Council funding and support from Brighton & Hove Council and South East Dance to set up inclusive youth dance companies in Sussex. As Outreach Manager I liaised with local mainstream and special schools to arrange workshops and get young people involved in our projects.I also taught a number of inclusive dance workshops in schools around Sussex and led the inclusive dance group ‘Dance Inc’ during the summer ‘18 term, culminating in a performance at the Brighton Take Part Festival. Show less

From January 2014 to March 2015 I taught weekly dance workshops at The Orpheus Centre, a residential performing arts college for students with learning disabilities, founded by Sir Richard Stilgoe. I worked with their dance students 1 day a week exploring different dance styles and creating work for their end of term productions. Highlights included; raising the profile of dance to the high standards of other arts at the centre to be included in the Christmas and summer productions, entering a… Show more From January 2014 to March 2015 I taught weekly dance workshops at The Orpheus Centre, a residential performing arts college for students with learning disabilities, founded by Sir Richard Stilgoe. I worked with their dance students 1 day a week exploring different dance styles and creating work for their end of term productions. Highlights included; raising the profile of dance to the high standards of other arts at the centre to be included in the Christmas and summer productions, entering a dance performance in the Daisy festival (another Orpheus first) and my students dancing a winning Tango for Arlene Phillips! Show less

3ddance was an inclusive dance education company delivering dance workshops in the South East. In the two years I ran the company I secured projects funded by a number of South East school sports partnerships and also South East Youth Dance Network Hub funding. We were able to deliver workshops to 20 schools which spanned anything from a day to a term. We also delivered workshops for a Brighton University project and for degree students at Canterbury Christchurch University. Footage of 3ddance… Show more 3ddance was an inclusive dance education company delivering dance workshops in the South East. In the two years I ran the company I secured projects funded by a number of South East school sports partnerships and also South East Youth Dance Network Hub funding. We were able to deliver workshops to 20 schools which spanned anything from a day to a term. We also delivered workshops for a Brighton University project and for degree students at Canterbury Christchurch University. Footage of 3ddance projects was used in 2 Youth Dance England promotional DVDs in 2010. Feedback:“3ddance have worked successfully across the complex range of children's needs at the school and all have been fully included and touched by the joy of dance and the energy and passion of Natasha. She is skilled at working with our children in a proactive and valued way and ensures that the wider team of teachers and support assistants around the children are also supported and inspired to develop dance opportunities across the schoolJonathan Howells – Head Teacher – Cedar School (Southampton)“My sincere thanks for your professional and creative support for what was both a very enjoyable and uplifting project/performance for students and audience alike”Adrian Carver – Head Teacher - The Link College (Brighton) Show less

When I started my career in inclusive dance, I spent time with Pippa Stock at Candoco Dance Company. She mentored me and took me on as an assistant in the CandoII youth group sessions. I then progressed to teaching the youth group and became part of the education team, delivering projects alongside the company dancers. My work with Candoco was from 2000 to 2004 and I returned to teach their two youth groups for a short time in 2009.

As well as my inclusive practice, I have also held a number of positions in schools and colleges. I ran the GCSE dance courses at Patcham High School (Brighton) from 2000-2004 and the BTEC National Award at Varndean College (Brighton) from 2004-2008. From 2000-2007 I had regular freelance/ employed work in 5 other local colleges, delivering the Labanotation and modern set solo unit of their A level dance courses. Labanotaion (reading a dance score) was a specialism I had studied at Laban… Show more As well as my inclusive practice, I have also held a number of positions in schools and colleges. I ran the GCSE dance courses at Patcham High School (Brighton) from 2000-2004 and the BTEC National Award at Varndean College (Brighton) from 2004-2008. From 2000-2007 I had regular freelance/ employed work in 5 other local colleges, delivering the Labanotation and modern set solo unit of their A level dance courses. Labanotaion (reading a dance score) was a specialism I had studied at Laban. Included in these part time positions were 7 years at Brighton College and 2 years at Reigate College. From 2000-2004 I also taught twice weekly professional contemporary technique classes and in 2005-2006 I covered maternity leave as Brighton and Hove Council’s Youth Dance Development Officer. Show less