Meet the Team
Cath Wilkins – Director
Cath joined GD in 2007 following 3 years as General Manager of Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company, one of the UK’s foremost contemporary dance companies. Prior to that, she worked at NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) and for the Touring department of Arts Council England. Cath trained in dance at Patricia Newman and Janet Marshall Dance Studios in Cheltenham and then at Elmhurst Ballet School before gaining a Drama degree at the University of Wales.
Lisa Hughes – Business Manager
Lisa Hughes has worked for GD since July 2000. Prior to that Lisa held a variety of financial roles in the private sector for companies working in the building, leisure and financial services industries.
Rob Luther - Business Development
Louise Portlock – Education Associate
Louise has been at GD since 2005, developing and sustaining projects for children, young people and adults across the county, with a particular focus on disability and inclusive activities. Louise has worked extensively on education and community projects since 2000 across the UK. She currently tutors on behalf of GD at the National Star College and is studying for a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). Louise also works as Dance & Health Regional Lead for Dance South West.
Helen Crocker - Programme Manager
Helen joined GD in February 2010. She has 25 years of experience working in the arts, including groundbreaking, sector development in the field of Circus. This has included co-founding and working as Director of Circomedia in Bristol and as Acting Creative Producer at Bristol Old Vic. Helen is a Trustee for Imayla and co-produced Dance Dialogues, a programme of work to raise the profile of African people's dance. Helen trained as a dance movement therapist, teacher trainer, assessor and internal verifier, and has worked as a teacher, tutor and course manager. She is intrumental within GD in pushing forward training and development in inclusive practice.
Lisa Lort – Development Manager, Dance South Gloucestershire
Lisa started dancing lessons late in her teens, so although technically called a late starter, she was always and will continue to be a mover! She started on her path of Community Dance as a performer, teacher and manager with the passion that everyone can dance and it's never too late to start. This motivation has led Lisa to continually commit to projects that spread the benefits of dance for all.
Laura Simpson – Programme Co-ordinator
Sarah Gardiner - Dance Leader
Sarah (BA Dance) first joined GD as a practitioner and project co-ordinator in 2004. Sarah has a wealth of education and community dance experience, including work with Special Educational Needs. She has taught GCSE and BTEC Dance and choreographed for musicals. Sarah specialises in integrated dance and has also recently established education and outreach initiative Wyedance with partners in the Forest of Dean.
Elaine Proverbs – Events Co-ordinator
Elaine joined GD in 2003 as Festival Co-ordinator. Her main role is to organise Gd:Youth Festivals. Elaine also helps develop and co-ordinate other events for GD and delivers occasional workshops. She is a qualified Ballroom and Latin Teacher, running various classes across Gloucestershire through her own company Elaine’s Dancing School.
Janet Earl – Information & Communications Assistant
Janet started at GD in September 2008 and has a background in administration and organisation. Janet also organises and teaches Tango Argentino in Cheltenham and enjoys social salsa and swing dance.
Ailsa Hardy - Programme Assistant
Ailsa trained at a local dance school between the ages of 5 and 18 before gaining degree in Drama and Theatre Arts from the University of Birmingham. After graduating, she spent some time working as a scuba diving instructor, youth worker and as a project manager, but found herself returning once more to dance, taking up this role in January 2010.
Anna Crofts - Programme Assistant
Anna began ballet lessons at the age of 4. Having been a member of Gd:Youth Company whilst in the 6th Form, Anna went on to study for her BA in Dance Theatre at Laban. After she graduated, Anna spent a year working at the Pupil Referral Unit in Lewisham, London, where she developed a passion for making education accessible to all. In her spare time, Anna continues to perform in both dance and music.
GD's Board
Anita Syvret (Chair)
Jenny Beacon
Andrew Burrow (Treasurer)
Jane Cantwell
Mike Counsell OBE
Gill Davie
Angela James
Bairbre Lloyd
Dave Mullins
Louise Partridge
Deborah Rees
EXCITING NEW DANCE COURSES FOR TEENAGERS
Gloucestershire Dance (GD) is launching an exciting new range of affordable, open access dance courses for young people.
11 to 19 year olds from across the county will have the chance to work on their moves....read more
The Hot Dots
02/10/2010
Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham...read more
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