Meet the judges for the One Dance UK Awards 2026!

Abi is an independent dance manager working across organisations of a variety of scales, supporting production, business development, financial systems and project delivery. Prior to this, Abi was CEO of Rambert Grades, an Ofqual awarding organisation bringing formalised contemporary dance training and examinations into the dance sector. Abi also worked for a number of years as Executive Producer at Birmingham Royal Ballet, overseeing the production of all new work for the company alongside programming the main stage repertoire for touring. Abi continues to mentor future leaders in the arts sector, supporting creatives, producers and managers in their career development. 

Angela is the first Professor of Dance Education in the UK and Director of the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health. She is widely published and works nationally and internationally with children, young people, students, professional dancers, schools, communities, dance training institutions, organisations and companies, researching and developing dance practice. She is the Principal Investigator for the UK-wide AHRC funded Dance Educator’s Network: Critical Dance Pedagogy. She also has visiting Professorships in Switzerland and Malaysia. 

Multi Award-Winning choreographer, creative director and producer working on Shows and Films. Leading live performances and film productions using Motion Capture, Swarm Technology, Projection Mapping, and Extended Reality. 

Credits include Expo Dubai, Israr Award, David Guetta show, Diversity UK Tour, Ferrari shows, and Award-winning dance films.  

He is a proud member of the Digital Black Dance Ecologies, an interdisciplinary network that foregrounds Caribbean and African dance across digital performance art. Also working with IJAD toward developing OOTFest, a hybrid festival dedicated to elevating live and digital work. 

Artistic Director of AVA DANCE COMPANY, cultural leader and activist in the dance world. She is the founder of the UK charity AWA DANCE. Her artistic practice is rooted in a commitment to overcoming Eurocentrism by promoting cultural exchange among artists. In recent years, she has collaborated with creatives from Burkina Faso, Japan, Senegal, Taiwan, Chile, Canada, Ecuador, Morocco, and Nunavut (Canadian Arctic). For over a decade, Avatâra was an Associate Artist in three innovative institutions: the European Centre for the Arts Hellerau (Germany), Shobana Jeyasingh Dance (UK), and Creative Academy (UK).

Bia started as a performer in experimental theatre as a teenager in Brazil and moved on to directing and producing arts projects, focusing on producing work since 2003. She has toured cross-arts productions all over the world and has also general managed and led performing arts companies and teams. She is a native Portuguese speaker, fluent in English and also speaks Spanish, French and some Italian.

Bia is the Director of the Digital Stage & Studio at Sadler's Wells, the platform for all Sadler's Wells digital arts initiatives. She is also Head of Producing & Touring, working with securing international partnerships for their productions.

Carolyn was the Executive Director at YDance (Scottish Youth Dance) from 2002 until 2024. Educated at Glasgow University, she began working in the arts at the Citizens’ Theatre in Glasgow, before going on to Scottish Youth Theatre where she was General Manager from 1984 until 2001, also managing the Old Athenaeum Theatre for SYT.  

Carolyn has also been Administrator for Winged Horse Touring Productions, IPB Productions and Spontaneous Combustions, and was Chair of the Independent Theatre Council in Scotland from 1996 – 1998 and a member of the UK ITC Board of Directors. She was Chair of Surge, a company which develops street arts, physical theatre and circus in Scotland from 2011 until this year, and is a Vice Chair of People Dancing (The UK Foundation for Community Dance). 

Charlotte is an independent dance artist, educator, facilitator and creative leader with 30 years of experience working at the intersection of artistic, educational and socially-engaged practice. She was a founding member and former Artistic Director of Candoco Dance Company (2016 - 2023) and stepped down two years ago to make space for disabled leadership. Charlotte chooses to work with people of all ages, backgrounds and lived experiences and to centre access and care in everything she does. 

Claire Morris trained at London Contemporary Dance School. Her career highlights include Rambert Dance Company, Swindon Dance and The Royal Ballet School. She founded Co3 Dance, where she created and developed all aspects of the company through participation, choreography, and artist development. 

Claire has been an arts manager since 2000. She co-founded FADT, and she has experience working in partnership with Health, Local Authority, Drug and Alcohol Services. She has received development through the Royal Opera House ROH links programme, and FADT’s Arts Council England’s Elevate programme, a key step change in Fallen Angels and Claire’s development. 

Claire delivers presentations and Question & Answer sessions; highlights include: King’s College London’s Science Gallery & The British Psychological Society. 

Claire Nicholson is Principal and co-founder of CAPA College, the specialist 16–19 Creative and Performing Arts college based in Wakefield, Yorkshire. CAPA College has become a nationally recognised powerhouse for arts training, with Ofsted “Outstanding” provision across five pathways and a regional remit that draws students from across the North of England. Graduates progress to elite conservatoires and careers spanning Hollywood, the West End and award-winning creative roles. Claire’s impact on arts education has been recognised with One Dance UK’s Inspirational Lecturer award and the 2024 Jane Attenborough Award for lifetime achievement in Arts Education —a recognition of her sustained leadership and advocacy for excellence, access and opportunity. A former dancer, choreographer and teacher who worked extensively across the UK, Claire is driven by a belief that world-class arts education should be accessible to every young person. 

Dollie has enjoyed an illustrious career spanning 48 years as a performer, choreographer, theatre director, creative jazz artist, and educator. She is widely acknowledged as one of the leading figures in the world of creative jazz and theatre dance, earning a reputation that is both revered and respected. Her extensive and diverse body of work covers a broad spectrum, including West End theatre, stage plays, film, TV, concert dance, and jazz theatre performances. 

Dollie is the Founder and Artistic Director of BOP Jazz Theatre Company, the premier jazz theatre company in the UK. Over the past 28 years, BOP has produced and staged a wide range of jazz productions and repertoire, continually elevating the profile of jazz dance, music, and theatre in the UK and across the globe. 

A passionate and experienced practitioner, Dollie has played a pivotal role in mentoring dancers from students through to professionals in established dance companies, musical theatre, and concert dance shows globally. She remains committed to supporting future generations of jazz dance artists through BOP’s Associate and Mentoring Jazz Dance Artists programs. Dollie co-authored the acclaimed book ‘The Essential Guide to Jazz Dance,’ published by Crowood Press. 

Dollie’s contributions to dance have been recognised by several organisations. She is an Honorary Member of ISTD and an Honorary Member and Patron of IDTA. Her other professional appointments include Patron of The Hammond School, Ignite Dance Company, and STEPPS. In June 2022, Dollie was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours List for her services to dance. 

Emily Jenkins is an established, international dance artist with an embedded social and wellbeing practice. She designs, implements and artistically leads life-enhancing dance initiatives. 

Emily has worked in dance for over fifteen years, and in that time has created and delivered countless opportunities for dance engagement with both cultural and health organisations. Her practice fosters unity, and is centred around release, reciprocity and joy.

In 2016 Emily founded Move Dance Feel, a company offering dance to women living with and beyond cancer, and works closely with cancer support services to incorporate dance into their care programmes. As part of Move Dance Feel’s advocacy work and the training programmes they provide Emily is spearheading an international #danceincancercare movement, creating a network of artists, researchers, healthcare professionals and students operating in this space.

Emma Redding is Director of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) at the University of Melbourne, which offers degree programmes in performing and visual arts, film, design, production and creative arts therapies. Formerly Professor and Head of Dance Science at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London, she began her career as a contemporary dancer before developing her education work. She co-founded the UK’s National Institute for Dance Medicine and Science, and served as President of IADMS. She has published widely and was awarded an MBE in 2022 for services to Dance. 

Gemma Harman is the creator of ResDance, a podcast dedicated to research in Dance. She is an independent lecturer and researcher working at a number of University’s and Conservatories and is currently Senior Lecturer in Dance and the Postgraduate Programme Co-ordinator at the University of Chichester. Gemma’s work on ResDance earned her a One Dance UK Award for Dance Research in 2025.

Hakeem Onibudo is a multifaceted individual whose journey has been marked by passion, motivation, and the glittering lights of the red carpet. As the CEO, Artistic Director, and Founder of Impact Dance, a nationally recognised art-for-social-change organisation and Hip-Hop Theatre company based in their new studio on Shaftesbury Avenue in London, Hakeem empowers young people between the ages of 11-19 to become the best versions of themselves through the medium of dance.

Hannah is Head of National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) and is based at Sadler’s Wells in London. She has been working with the company since it was reformed 12 years ago, over this time NYDC has worked with over 10,000 young people and collaborated with some of the world’s leading choreographers (including Russell Maliphant, Alesandra Seutin, Wayne McGregor, Oona Doherty and Boy Blue).   

Helen has spent 25 years realising initiatives to support dancers’ health, well-being and career sustainability. She authored Fit to Dance 2 while at Dance UK and led on the establishment of the UK’s National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science, and its NHS dance injury clinics, for which she was recognised in the 2014 Evening Standard's 1000 most influential Londoners alongside Caroline Miller. She is currently undertaking a PhD at Coventry University’s Centre for Dance Research (C-DaRE) where her research is investigating the influence of representation, and economic/socio-political factors, on freelance dance artists’ pay and working conditions. 

Iona is Associate Director at ACE dance and music, and serves as a Board Member for both Dance Consortium and People Dancing.

Having spent 11 years with ACE Youth, Iona went on to train at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and the University of Wolverhampton, where she graduated with a First-Class BA (Hons) in Dance and Professional Practice.

Iona performed with ACE’s professional company for 10 years before transitioning to the role of Rehearsal Director in September 2021. In this role, she supported the company's directors in the strategic development of dance rooted in the African Diaspora, managed all studio activity, and worked closely with guest choreographers and technical teams to deliver national and international touring productions.

Now as Associate Director, Iona continues to drive ACE’s artistic vision and development, contributing her deep experience and commitment to the company’s evolving legacy.

Irina is a Chartered Sport & Exercise Psychologist registered with the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC). She is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a member of the IADMS. Irina focuses on improving, empowering and promoting self-growth, wellness and well-being in professional elite dancers, drawing on a 15-year career with English National Ballet. She has presented workshops on wellbeing and positive mental health for the Medical Charity British Association Performing Arts and Medicine (BAPAM). She is a published author, and her publications can be accessed through her website. Her research interests include Transitions, Lifespan Models, Resilience, Coping Processes & Strategies and Performing Arts.  

Irini Papadimitriou is a curator, and currently Director of Exhibitions at Diriyah Art Futures. She was previously Creative Director at FutureEverything, UK; Artistic Director at Sea Art Festival 2023, South Korea; Digital Programmes Manager at the V&A; and Head of New Media Arts Development at Watermans, UK.  

Recently curated exhibitions include: AI: Who’s Looking After Me? Science Gallery London; Flickering Shores, Sea Imaginaries Sea Art Festival, Busan; FutureFantastic, Bangalore; Plásmata: Bodies, Dreams, and Data and You and AI: Through the Algorithmic Lens, Onassis, Athens; [Digital] Transmissions, Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, Amman; Artificially Intelligent, V&A.

Jane trained in ballet with Ruth French and at Bush Davies, which led to a ten-year performing career. Always interested in injury prevention and rehabilitation, she then studied Pilates and later opened Scotland's first Pilates studio in Edinburgh. She has now been the Pilates and Conditioning Coach at The Royal Ballet for over thirty years, also teaching  internationally, including for the Cuban National Ballet, the Norwegian National Ballet and the Mark Morris Dance Group. She has an MA in Ballet Studies from Roehampton University, and her book 'Pilates and Conditioning for Dancers' was published in 2021.

Juliet Diener is Founder/ CEO of  icandance, a Dance Movement Psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, trained ballet teacher, a qualified specialist educator and inclusive dance consultant. 

Bringing together her expertise in education, dance, and psychotherapeutic approaches, Juliet founded the charity icandance in 2006, which empowers disabled children and young people through dance and performance.

She is passionate about inclusion and building creative communities which celebrate difference and support creative embodied responses to wellbeing. She is currently completing a doctorate study on her work at icandance and works, writes and researches extensively as a clinical specialist, lecturer, and therapist exploring creativity, embodied practice, dance, community and inclusion.

As the Executive Director and Co-CEO of YDance, Kelly is a passionate leader dedicated to using dance to foster positive social and community change. With over 17 years of experience, she specialises in strategic planning, operational management, and policy development, with a strong focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Laura is Head of Creative Programmes at English National Ballet, responsible for the management of high-quality, artistic, engagement programmes, including ENB’s Dance for Health strand, artist development and a number of flagship projects.

She has worked extensively in the sector with world-class dance organisations including Rambert, Ballet Boyz, Richard Alston Dance Company and Sadler’s Wells, amongst others. In addition to her role at ENB, Laura is Lead Dance Artist for Dance Mama and is Co-Chair of Parents in Performing Arts (PiPA). Laura combines management, creative programming and artistic practice, championing programmes that foster an inclusive environment, creating opportunity for all.

Dr Lisa May Thomas is an award-winning contemporary dance artist, filmmaker and researcher. She is currently a Senior Research Associate at the ESRC Centre for Sociodigital Futures (University of Bristol) and lectures in dance film and immersive performance (University of Bristol), and somatic and improvisation practices (Bath Spa University). As artistic director for May Productions, alongside a team of interdisciplinary collaborators, she produces work that investigates the intersections between dance, embodied and sensory participation, and immersive technology. She is a Studio Wayne McGregor QuestLab Network Artist and resident at Bristol’s Pervasive Media Studio, and regularly mentors emerging dance artists across the SW.

Lucy McCrudden is a portfolio professional with roles including Founder/CEO of Dance Mama™ CIC, advocating and celebrating professional dancing parents, highlighting their issues and providing inspiration, information and support. Lucy’s 23-year career has dovetailed her own work with key positions in learning and participation with world-class organisations, including The Place and The Royal Opera House. She has taught over 19,000 people and has engaged with a wide variety of cultural organisations in consulting, management, choreography and presenting/public speaking roles. Secretariat - Active Pregnancy Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board, she received an Honourable Mention for the inaugural AWA Woman in Dance Award, won One Dance UK’s Change Maker Award 2022, and in the same year, she delivered her TEDx talk as she embarked on her PhD at Christ Church Canterbury University. In 2023, she co-founded the AHRC-funded International Parenting and Dance Network and was shortlisted for This Mum Moves Ambassador of the Year. In 2024, she co-authored a chapter on parenting in dance with Professor Angela Pickard in The Female Dancer(Farmer and Kindred) and featured in an online campaign for Women’s Health and Barbie, Power of Play. In 2025, Lucy will be supporting RBO’s Cultural Champions project for the Arun district and Candoco Dance Company’s CreativeLab strand of activity, developing young choreographers.

Melanie joined Candoco from her previous role as CEO and Creative Director at Greenwich Dance, bringing a wealth of senior leadership experience within the dance sector.

She has worked in senior leadership positions at Shubbak Festival, Protein Dance, The Place, and Dance East, undertaken freelance strategic consultancy, and held roles within education and participation at Alex Whitley Dance Company, Hofesh Shechter Dance Company, and Sadlers Wells. Her experience is rooted in a decade-long career as a dancer and teacher. Melanie is also a Trustee for People Dancing and Rhiannon Faith Dance Company.

Melly Still has worked as a director, choreographer, designer and adaptor. Her work has travelled throughout the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, the Far East, US, India and Broadway. She has been nominated as Best Director and for Best Design at both the Olivier and Tony Awards for her National Theatre production of Coram Boy. Her work includes The Wreckers and Rusalka (Glyndebourne), My Brilliant Friend, The Revengers' Tragedy, From Morning to Midnight (National Theatre), Cymbeline (RSC), Lovely Bones (UK tour), Captain Corelli's Mandolin (UK tour and West End). 

Omari Carter is the founder of Motion Dance Collective, a screendance production company for which he directs, produces, choreographs, and performs. Hailing from London, he performed for 7 years in the West End and international tour of ‘Stomp!’. Omari graduated from the trailblazing MA in Screendance at London Contemporary Dance School in 2020, where he became an assistant lecturer. Currently, Omari is continuing his role as assistant professor in dance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Omari's practice and research revolves predominantly around dances of Hip Hop Culture, Screendance and Body Percussion. 

Paul is the Subject Advisor for Pearson Edexcel's BTEC Performing Arts and dance suite of qualifications, plus GCSE and A level Drama and Theatre, providing support and guidance to dance and performing arts teachers on teaching and assessment and represents teacher and student interests within Pearson. He was the Education Consultant for GCSE Drama for BBC Bitesize. Paul has worked extensively in the performing arts industry as a performer, writer and designer. He was a performing arts teacher in schools and FE, teaching acting, design and physical theatre.  

Phil Hargreaves is an award-winning cultural leader, currently working as head of cultural programmes for Bradford Council, and as Creative/Executive Producer under the alias producingphil. 

Phil works with creatives, production teams, communities, partners, funders, participants, and volunteers, creating safe spaces for creative ideas to thrive and for people's artistic and cultural experiences to be developed. Phil’s work isn’t about his ego; it’s about creating the space for culture to flourish and talent to be discovered and encouraged. It’s about taking risks and failing well, allowing creative talent to grow, demonstrating how culture can empower people and have a social and economic impact. 

Pippa has danced all of her life in a range of styles and has  numerous qualifications under her belt. She now works as head of dance in a secondary school, delivers training and also owns her own dance school. Pippa is a massive advocate of dance in education and dance being accessible to all. She loves providing opportunities to young people and values the importance of mental and physical wellbeing.  

As the Environmental Manager at the Royal Ballet and Opera Rachael is passionate about engaging with staff, artists, audiences and visitors to encourage discussion and promote action to reduce our impact on the environment. Rachael is a member of the Theatre Greenbook Operations committee and is involved with the Westminster Sustainable City Charter.  

Rashmi is the founder of Step Change Studios, which provides opportunities for disabled people to participate in dance. Over 25 years, she has developed expertise in the arts, sport, social affairs, and disability advocacy. She has held Board positions with Activity Alliance and Sport England. She holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge, where her research focused on Intellectual Disability. Accolades include the One Dance UK Innovation in Dance Award and the Sport and Recreation Award for Diversity and Inclusion. In 2021, Rashmi was recognised with an MBE for services to disabled people.

Rosaria is an ethnochoreologist (dance teller), an experienced educationalist and a curious researcher. These three elements put together provide the perfect seeds for performances, bespoke workshops, and choreographies to tell more than one story and serve as transformational tools.  

Sally Doughty has been choreographing and performing internationally for over two decades. With a specialism and fascination in movement improvisation practices, she writes from a first-person perspective, privileging the voice of the dance artist.

Sally is an Associate Professor of Dance and Deputy Head of School of Creative Industries and Culture at De Montfort University, Leicester, where she teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and supervises Doctoral candidates. Sally was seconded as Research Director at the strategic dance development agency Dance4 (now FABRIC), creating opportunities for artists and academics to come together through research, practice and dialogue.

Sara is a leading expert in community and socially engaged dance. Her pioneering work examines the experience of people with Parkinson’s dancing, for which she won the BUPA Foundation Prize in 2011. She has collaborated as a researcher, consultant and mentor on Parkinson’s and dance with arts organisations around the world. She is sought after internationally as a keynote speaker on dance, and she regularly speaks to the media (TV, radio and print). Sara published the defining monograph Dancing with Parkinson’s in 2019. In 2014, Sara was a Finalist in the National Public Engagement Awards for her work engaging the general public in her Parkinson’s and dance research. As part of her commitment to helping augment high-quality community dance work, Sara leads professional development courses for dance artists internationally. Her work in this area also includes the co-authoring of the open-access digital Soft Skills in Dance: A Guidebook to Enhance Your Practice. For many years, Sara was Chair of the Board of People Dancing, and she continues to work closely with dance organisations with a community remit around the world as a consultant, researcher and workshop leader.

Sarah has worked with Punchdrunk for over 20 years as a performer and, most recently, as Associate Director on The Burnt City. Sarah also movement directs for film, theatre and opera. Sarah has movement directed on Abba Voyage and the films Rebecca, Mary Queen of Scots , Cats, and Fantastic Beasts. Sarah was an associate artist at the Royal Opera House and is a Studio Wayne McGregor Artist.

Sarah is a Lecturer in Dance Science and Physiology and Program Coordinator of the MSc Dance Science at the University of Chichester, UK. Sarah also undertakes freelance research and consultancy work, investigating topics including field measurement of physiological demand, monitoring training load, and developing fitness tests. She obtained her PhD in Dance Science in 2017, has published original research in various peer-reviewed journals, and regularly presents at international conferences. Sarah is a longstanding member of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS), where she currently serves on the Board of Directors.

Sarah is a Registered Dietitian and former professional dancer, specialising in nutrition for dancers through MyDanceDietitian, the UK’s dedicated service for dance nutrition. With a decade of experience as a dancer, dance captain and production manager, she retrained in dietetics, working across the NHS and currently supporting adolescents with eating disorders. Recognised on the Dean’s List for academic achievement during her postgraduate study in Sports and Exercise Nutrition, Sarah combines clinical expertise with lived dance experience to deliver evidence-based nutritional advice that empowers dancers, teachers and companies to thrive.

Dance with Sonia Brown offers adults of all ages and abilities the opportunity to learn dance, in particular, those over the age of 55 or in need of low-impact alternatives. Due to their inclusive ethos and high-standard of tuition, in 2025 they were thrilled to gain Royal Ballet alumnus Joshua Tuifua as their patron and to have been awarded the What’s On Reading Cultural Award for Community Skill and Leadership Development, the Thatcham Mayor's Award, and, of course, the national One Dance UK’s People’s Choice Award. Their director, Sonia Brown, has also recently completed her Masters in Education (Dance Teaching) at the Royal Academy of Dance, receiving a distinction for her work, which specialised in andragogy practice.

Subathra is the Artistic Director and Joint CEO of Akademi, the UK’s leading South Asian Dance organisation, and a choreographer and educator working at the meeting point of dance, culture and science.

Having spent over 20 years as Artistic Director of two South Asian dance companies – Angika and Sadhana Dance – Subathra is experienced at creating work for theatres, festivals and alternative spaces. Subathra’s works are a result of in-depth cross-art collaborations with award-winning artists alongside extended periods of research undertaken with scientists and academic institutions.

Sujata Banerjee, one of Britain's most dynamic and versatile Kathak artists, is not just a choreographer but also a mentor, educator, and passionate teacher. Her incredible record of producing highly skilled professional dancers is a testament to her nurturing and supportive nature. She studied Sports Science in the UK and brings a unique approach to teaching Kathak. Her incredible command, knowledge, and passion for Kathak are inspiring for many.

In 1985, Sujata set up her own dance company in the UK, creating many innovative projects and collaborating with diverse genres. She has toured extensively, both nationally and internationally. Sujata's leadership roles, such as being the lead Kathak examiner and her long-standing involvement in the ISTD committee, have been instrumental in developing the Kathak syllabi and Teacher training courses. Her contributions have been recognised with numerous awards, including the MBE for her outstanding service to Dance.

Dr Swati Raut, an established Bharatanatyam dance artist, choreographer, teacher, and educator, has worked in the Northwest region of England for the last three decades. Her highly successful dance career began in the UK in 1987. Since then, Dr Swati Raut has not only established herself as a leading classical dance artist but has concurrently focused attention on training and developing the next generation of young dancers and teachers.

Dr Swati Raut is a Committee Member of the ISTD -The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing for the Classical Indian Dance Faculty. She is also a UNESCO (CID- International Dance Council) approved Artist.

Presently, Dr Swati Raut teaches Bharatanatyam to more than 100 young children in the North West region through weekly and weekend classes in Wigan, Preston, and Liverpool.

Tony was Artistic Director of his own company, Room 2 Manoeuvre (R2M), from 2007 to 2021 before becoming Artistic Director of Dance Base in 2021. He has worked with Freshmess Dance Company, State of Emergency, Off Kilter, Iron Oxide, Curious Seed, David Hughes Dance Productions, All or Nothing Aerial Dance Theatre, Scottish Ballet, Derevo, and the international street dance show, Blaze and as a movement director for theatre and music artists. R2M has toured work across the UK, Europe, South America and Asia. Recent productions included Alley Oop for Edinburgh International Children’s Festival 2021, the national tour of pop-up hip-hop show City Breakz 2021 and the first-ever international festival of dance and sport called At Your Leisure.

Tracey has worked at Rubicon since September 1996 and is currently Stakeholder Manager (effective from January 2025). Her first engagement with Rubicon was as a participant aged 16, attending dance sessions, then many years later, starting employment as a Dance Development Worker. She has had approximately five roles since starting and has a wealth of knowledge about the organisation.

Tracey’s responsibilities are wide. Some of these currently include leading Rubicon's stakeholder strategy engagement, overseeing the development of additional applied community projects and strategic inclusion activities, community and public partnership brokerage, development and engagement, overseeing outreach and community programme delivery, overseeing the development of progression pathways leading to regular engagement, the external professional development programme (Wales Wide Training Programme), funding and donations leadership and relationship management, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous professional development across the Rubicon team, providing mentorship and professional development opportunities, providing leadership, guidance, development and support to the Stakeholder Development Team.

Outside of work, Tracey values spending time with family - those who live locally as well as being in touch regularly with family who live in Australia. Tracey volunteers (fundraising) for the gynaecology oncology team at University Hospital of Wales.

Vanessa is the Executive Director of Dancers’ Career Development, having previously held leadership and senior management roles at Oxford Playhouse, Park Theatre, Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre and The Place. Vanessa is also a Trustee of South East Dance and formerly sat on the OxLEP Culture and Visitor Economy Sub-Group and Tourism Task Force.

Initially, Vanessa trained at London Contemporary Dance School and Alvin Ailey, New York, spending the first 15 years of her career working internationally as a dancer, choreographer and director for opera, theatre and dance companies. She has an Executive MBA (with Distinction) from Bayes Business School.

Dr Zhi Xu is a choreographer, dancer, researcher and Senior Lecturer in Dance at Bath Spa University, where he leads the Centre for Performance Research. He completed his PhD at Brunel University London in 2021 on dance technology and cultural identity. Zhi has created over 20 works presented internationally, including in China, the UK, the USA, Canada, Belgium and Malaysia. His interdisciplinary practice spans dance theatre, site-specific performance, exhibitions and large-scale projects, engaging cultural traditions and emerging technologies. He has received HEQR and British Academy ECRN funding. His first monograph, Dancing Chineseness and Techno-Choreography, will be published by Routledge in 2026.