who is GDance

GDance seeks to challenge perceptions of disability through:

• high quality professional integrated dance performance, supporting the development of emerging disabled choreographers, leaders and performers
• research and legacy projects which address issues highlighted by production work
• working strategically with local and national arts and education partners to improve inclusive practice and pathways for disabled artists / participants
• supporting disabled and inclusive artists' / arts professionals' development, eg. through Associate schemes
• providing inclusion training and consultancy 

Our Associate Artists

Meet the Team.

Cath Wilkins – Director

Cath joined GDance 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 on the Fellowship team at NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) and for the Touring department of Arts Council England. Cath trained in dance in Cheltenham and then at Elmhurst Ballet School before gaining a Drama degree at the University of Wales. She was a founder Board member of strategic body for the arts Create Gloucestershire and currently leads the Dance for Change network of 200+ alongside People Dancing and is a core driver of Gloucester's Carnival Arts Partnership.  Cath also provides strategic consultancy to other arts and community organisations.

Neil McLaughlin – Finance Manager

Neil delivers a range of financial services for business clients and charities. Neil joined GDance from Mencap in Stroud, and held senior financial positions with Gloucestershire Housing Association.

Helen Crocker - Artistic Director

Helen joined GDance 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 Theatre Bristol. Helen was a Board member 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 instrumental within GDance in producing inspiring integrated dance works (on film and live), created by or featuring disabled performers, and in work to support national sector development.

Ailsa Lane - Programme Co-ordinator

Ailsa joined GDance in 2010 as an Apprentice Dance Leader, bringing with her experience in leading sessions in other sports (as a scuba diving instructor), a range of youth work and project management experience. Since then, Ailsa has developed skills in inclusive dance leadership, as well as production coordination, eg. supporting a local disabled artist to produce a dance film, and complex project management including leading GDance's Young Ignite programme and the Arts Inc Academy. Ailsa trained at a local dance school from age 5 to 18 before gaining degree in Drama and Theatre Arts from the University of Birmingham. She balances her work for GDance with project management for Gloucestershire Voices, a user-led self-advocacy organisation for adults with learning disabilities. 

Karen Perrins – Progamme Co-ordinator

Karen has worked for GDance for over a decade.  She is a dance and drama practitioner who has taught in a variety of different situations including both mainstream and special needs educational settings.  She has enjoyed prize-winning success with groups at Cheltenham Competitive Performing Arts Festival. Karen has choreographed a range of education and performance projects.  She artistically leads GDance's community dance company VIA, delivers the Carnival engagement programme annually, and leads sessions for the Arts Inc Academy and holiday clubs as well as for a range of schools and colleges.  Karen also plays key audience management and production assistant roles at GDance's performances and events.

Holly Garnett -  Dance Assistant (Intern)

Holly first worked with GDance on a project with Associate Artist Frank McDaniels to support her A level study in 2010. Holly continued her interest in inclusive practice whilst attaining a BA in Dance and Culture at the University of Surrey where she trained alongside Stopgap Dance Company. At university, Holly also managed and was Artistic Director of the student-led dance company 'Actualsize'. Through her Internship, Holly is assisting the team and developing understanding of inclusive leadership, production, arts administration and the dance support worker role.

Kelly Peattie –  Volunteer Dance Assistant

Kelly joined GDance in 2003 as a wheelchair dancer. She then became a volunteer Dance Leader's assistant in 2006 and continues to fulfil this role with GDance's community company VIA, at the Arts Inc Academy and at school and community workshops throughout Gloucestershire.  Kelly has developed her skills through engaging in a range of training, eg. Sports Leader UK, and working towards aims in her personal development plans.  In addition, with her Mum Lyn she has played an important role supporting the Director with fundraising initiatives and has joined GDance's Anniversary Appeal working party.  Kelly was shortlisted for a Heart of Gloucestershire Award for her volunteering services in 2014.  

GDance's Board

Anita Syvret (Chair)

Simon Sheldon (Treasurer)

Jane Cantwell

Catherine Coates

Mike Counsell OBE

Sue Davies

Angela James

Dave Mullins

Deborah Rees

Paul Tarling