I love collaborating to design sessions for, and to develop choreography with, specific groups. My approach uses music reminiscence and dance to promote wellbeing, helping people connect socially and stay active mentally and physically. The focus is on fun, helping people find the movement within themselves and enjoying the creative process. I make use of sensory stimulation, particularly when working with individuals who are living with dementia or more limited range of movement.
As part of any project I can provide a summary of outcomes, supported by data, observational and participant feedback, and images from sessions. If you'd like to chat about how we could work together do get in touch.
Recent commissions include:
Online seated dance for Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases. Tailored content ensured full accessibility focused on improving mobility and flexibility.
Sensory Georgian Ball experience for National Trust & ReMind UK for people living with dementia and their carers. Designed to help manage symptoms of dementia & give respite to carers.
Contemporary dance collaboration for Matthew Bourne's New Adventures Doorstep Duets programme with Dance Network Association. Choreography co-created with an older adults group, for a curtain raiser performance. A short video about the work is below. The full performance can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/4gw2UZR
"Your guidance and sensitive facilitation was so clear in the choreography and the fact that those dancers performed when they were sure they wouldn’t!” Take Part Creative Director, New Adventures
"From beginning to end, you have been pure joy to work with" Dance Network Association, CEO
Photo by Anthony Brown
Here's an example of a project delivered for ReMind UK:
Session 1: We played music and used sensory props to encourage reminiscence, exploring memories of dancing, telling stories and talking about our favourite songs.
Session 2: We listened to music inspired by the first session. Everyone voted for the tracks the would like to dance to which encouraged interaction between people.
Session 3: We danced to the most popular tunes using moves inspired by the group, with a mix of seated and standing dancing based on the group's capabilities.
With kind permission of Greystones, BCSV Homes
