Meet our 2026 Dance Ambassadors

Anastasia, previously a Young Creative with One Dance UK, is a dance teacher, choreographer and facilitator based in Nottinghamshire. Her most recent work ‘Blunt Knife’, was performed at Sadler’s Wells with the Young Creatives programme and at the Educate Platform with Flexus Dance Co, also recently winning a choreographic award with Young Creative Awards Nottingham. Anastasia has trained within
various dance styles over the years, training at Nottingham College, and is passionate about diversity, adaptability, and exploration within dance.

Courtney is a recent graduate with a First-Class Dance degree from De Montfort University, following four years on the Dance Pathway at BOA. She now teaches at two dance schools across Solihull and Warwickshire. She also trains and performs professionally with MEdance company sharing her love with dance throughout the black country and beyond.

Emilia is in her graduating year at The School of Ballet Theatre UK where she trains full-time towards a BA (hons) Ballet Performance. Emilia is passionate about reaching people of all ages and abilities through dance, especially including people with mental or physical disabilities. She is excited about creating a more inclusive, joyful and welcoming future of the dance sector.

Esther is a dance artist and One Dance UK Young Creatives alumna. She is currently part of the Siobhan Davies NEXT Choreography Cohort, alongside devising and showcasing work as part of HotCat Collective. Having recently graduated with a degree in art history, her interests include performance-based disruptions of museum and gallery spaces, screen dance practices, and accessibility and inclusivity within the arts.

Genevieve is a passionate dancer and choreographer based in London. Having come from self-taught origins to training, performing and teaching in hip-hop and other street dance styles, she advocates that “Anyone can start dance, no matter what level or background you come from,” breaking boundaries and encouraging growth and confidence in dancers.

Beginning in Ballroom and Latin and now working across contemporary and hip-hop dance, she champions merging dance styles through her creative venture, Hybrid House, which recently received support from United by 2022. Hadija has worked with organisations including MOVE IT! Curve Theatre, ACE Dance and Music, Flexus Dance Collective, Brum Pro Class, Eloquent Dance and Life Transforming Fitness and more, contributing across performing, teaching, youth leadership and creative advocacy. Hadija is passionate about empowerment, representation and shaping an inclusive future for the dance ecology.

Islina is a Belgian dance artist and teacher who is currently in her second year at the London Contemporary Dance School. She has been training in many types of dance but is specialised in contemporary. She is passionate about choreographing and how dance can convey powerful ideas of activism and non-conformity, advocating for accessibility and diversity in the dance world.

Izzy is a contemporary dance artist who has a passion for choreography, creative exploration and youth development. After graduating from Trinity Laban with first class honours and receiving the ‘Innovation award’, she founded ‘South west Artists’ dance company to provide free, inspiring experiences for dancers aged 14-20 across the south west.

Jacob is an aspiring dancer and is due to start at The Place in September. He has trained in various styles with a newfound love for hip hop. His training has been with DanceEast's CAT and NYDC. Jacob is looking forward to broadening his knowledge and passion for the arts through the Dance Ambassadors programme.

Kayleigh is a freelance dance artist, choreographer and educator from the North East. She began her training through the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) at Dance City and Gateway Studio, now 
partnered with NSCD, and later went on to study contemporary dance at Trinity Laban in London. She has had the opportunity to perform with companies such as Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures (Romeo and Juliet young cast, 2019), as well as in works by Joss Arnott Dance. She is also a proud New Adventures Overture alumni and former Swan School student. Now back in the North East, she works as Head of Dance at a local school and as an Associate Artist with Northern Stage. She is passionate about working with young dancers and creating supportive, inclusive spaces to explore movement, creativity and performance.

Millie is a dance artist based in West Sussex, who recently graduated from BA (Hons) Dance & Choreography at Falmouth University. Her current work focuses on teaching and facilitating dance classes. She is passionate about using dance to build confidence and support young people’s development. She is keen to learn how to further promote and advocate for positive change in the accessibility of dance.

Saffran is a dance science graduate from the University of Chichester, where she developed a passion for advocating dance for health. She hopes to further her education by gaining experience helping others access the benefits of dance, with a growing interest in rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Currently, Saffran supports people in understanding how dance can enhance both mental and physical wellbeing. She aims to specialise in advocating dance and movement not only for dancers but also for non-dancers, particularly older adults and other populations with specific wellbeing needs.

Thea is currently studying BSc Dance Science, combining dance training with scientific study to enhance performance and wellbeing. Her experience choreographing and leading performance and competition teams, with guidance from amazing teachers, has strengthened her passion for supporting dancers as they grow in technique and confidence. She is excited to share her love of dance while exploring new opportunities.