Could you tell me how you started dancing?

I started dancing when I was just 2 years old. My mum took me to a  baby ballet class because she wasn’t allowed to go when she was a child, and I never stopped! I went on to take all the traditional types of dance like ballet, modern and tap. After school I studied contemporary dance at College and  was excited by this new form of dance that pushed boundaries. I felt so passionate about it that I took it further and took a degree in Dance and Culture at the University of Surrey.

How long have you been the artistic Director of Portrait? And What motivates you working with Portrait?

I have been artistic director for four years. The Company has built up from 3 dancers to 11 and each year brings new and exciting opportunities. The dancers are very passionate about performing and it is this passion that really motivates me. Being in the company allows the dancers to get a feel of what it is like to be in a professional company, which is a great experience to have as a student. I also see progression of the dancers, which can be in one year with the company or over a longer period of time, which is very motivating.

How do see your work as a youth company artistic director?

I don’t see my role as work! I really enjoy taking class and creating work on very able dancers. The dancers also have lots of input to choreography, which is great for their own experience. Seeing students go onto pursue dance further is what makes my role worthwhile.

What are your most gratifying moments as a dancer and/ or rehearsal director?

As a dancer it is most definitely performing. After giving so many hours in rehearsals, the feeling when you perform is amazing. As rehearsal director it is the opposite – watching – when the dancers perform work I feel so proud of each individual.  

What is your thought on what makes a quality piece of dance when it involves member of the community and young people, what we call generally community dance?

Community dance can have the stigma as not being the same quality as professional dance. This in my opinion is totally wrong. Portrait Youth Dance is a community and I like to think that our work is professional and this comes from the dancers believing in their work and their ability and having a professional focused mind. This belief makes any work high quality.