PROJECT 2

Dancer Bios

Alex

UK

"I began dancing for enjoyment when I was 13, starting classical ballet at 16 years old. I danced recreationally during degree and PhD in Chemistry (Universities of Manchester and Durham). I first came to Dance City in 2007 when working in the pharmaceutical industry in the Newcastle area, and attended until I took the role of Institute Manager at Durham University. I returned to dancing in 2019 following a five-year break during the birth and early years of my children. The online classes at Dance City gave me access to high quality lessons and I returned to Dance City when in-person classes opened up again in 2021."

​

Andrea
Germany

"I am originally from Hamburg, Germany, but I have been living in Newcastle since 1997 where I work at Newcastle University. Dance has been a hobby for most of my life, I started ballet when I was 7 years old and have carried on ever since, with some gaps when I was at university or moving places. I love to train and perform with other dancers and I have been lucky to be part of some amazing groups."

​

Annabelle
UK

"Hi, I’m Annabelle and I love dancing. My dance journey begin in early childhood but was short-lived as I experienced many other hobbies such as gymnastics and guitar lessons. I then rekindled my love of dance at 19 upon starting university and came back to my roots realising dance, ballet in particular is my ultimate hobby. Being on stage and performance is something I have always loved and although I am typically a shy, introverted individual when I’m on stage my personality glistens and I feel at home. Joining North East Dance Project is an honour and I’m very grateful to be part of it."

​

Barbara
UK

"I did weekly ballet classes from being a small child and enjoyed the RAD children’s ballet exams and some amateur performances in home made tutus which was a lot of fun . I  dropped ballet in my teens but returned to it as a young adult and did some further exams in group dances . After a long gap due to work and family commitments I have loved coming back to ballet again . My work is  in Health Visiting - part time-  and my other main interests are music and gardening."

​

​

Christine
China

"Currently, I study translating and interpreting at Newcastle University. For me, ballet helps to relax both physically and mentally after a day’s intensive study, especially simultaneous interpreting and consecutive interpreting classes. However, ballet means so much more to me than that. I danced from the age of 8 to 10, learning the Royal Academy of Dance method (English style). One of my fondest memories is dancing in the Nutcracker’s Waltz of the Flowers for a Christmas performance when I was 9 years old. At that time, my dream was to become a principal dancer in a ballet company. Then, due to academic study, I gave up ballet training, and practiced ballet since 18. My favourite ballets are Giselle and Swan Lake. In uncertain terms, ballet is my life. Dream: to perform ballet on stage again."

​

Danuta
Poland

"I have loved the stage and performing every since I remember. I have always been engaged in some sort of performing arts - either singing, dancing or acting. My adventure with dancing began in primary school. I was a student of the dance school, in which we got to know various styles such as ballroom, hip-hop, disco and other. Later on, as I teenager, I became to learn Polish folk dances and joined a street dance school. I then gave up dancing for a few years to devote more time to singing and acting. In that time I moved to England and studied music in Gateshead College. I returned to dancing in mid 2023 and started attending salsa classes. But the truth is dancing ballet has always been my biggest dream that has came true when I joined Dance City in October 2023. Apart from dancing (and working) I sing in St Mary’s Cathedral Choir and express my creativity in various ways. I am very excited to start a new adventure with the NEDP and all the amazing artists involved in this project. "

​

Eleanor
UK

"My name is Eleanor. I am an engineering geologist working in Newcastle and moved to the city in 2023 from my northern hometown of Darlington. Having no previous dance experience and major spinal surgery as a teenager, I figured I would not be able to get into dance. However, since moving I have had the pleasure of attending weekly classes, which has improved my physical and mental health ten-fold. My favourite form of dance is ballet, and taking part in classes has given me freedom to express myself as well as allow me to focus and become more in tune with my body and health. Outside of dance, I enjoy reading and writing, and enjoy researching history and the arts." 

​

Emma
UK

" I was born in the UK but grew up in Houston, Texas and moved back to the UK in 2019. I currently work for a marketing agency in North Shields as a Search Marketing Executive.  

I’m so excited to be dancing again. I danced from six years old until I was 17. I enjoyed ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and hip hop until joining my high school’s dance team."

​

Emma
Greece

"By day I am an application scientist in molecular biology supporting North Europe and I am originally from Athens. My dance journey started at age 3 with ballet, jazz and modern. Over the years I have also explored flamenco, tap, hip-hop, as well as Graham and contemporary. As an adult dancer, I realised I was too strict, so I embraced yoga more, eventually qualifying as an instructor; a parallel journey that allowed me to re-establish and maintain a more mindful brain-body connection. Despite some breaks I'm so thrilled to be properly back to dancing again; it seems like my DNA is probably more "dance" than anything after all. Incredibly thrilled to be joining the NEDP a truly exciting new chapter alongside all of you amazing artists."

​

Evie
UK

"My name is Evie and I am from Nottingham. I started dancing at age 3 originally training in Tap and Theatre Craft. Later on, I trained in other genres as my interest in dance increased such as Jazz and Irish dancing and it wasn’t until 2020 when I started Ballet. I am a student who is currently studying on the degree programme at Dance City Training Academy because I aspire to pursue a career in the dance sector. I hope to become a professional performer for a touring Contemporary dance company and/or a choreographer. On my degree, I am specialising in Contemporary whilst taking classes in other dance genres on Dance City’s public class programme. Outside of dance, my other interests include baking, swimming, and ice skating. I value spending time with family and friends as well as going camping. I am excited to have been given the opportunity to take part in North East Dance Project Two. I’m looking forward to rehearsing for a performance in a dance style that I strongly enjoy. Also, performing on stage and expressing myself to an audience is an aspect of dance that I feel so passionately about."

​

Gilly
China

"I have just finished my PhD in molecular bioscience, and I’m from China. I had a little taste of ballet and Chinese traditional dance when I was a child. I quit dancing after a few years because of my poor flexibility and lack of strength. I explored different types of sports to train my body, while returning to dance has always been something deep in my mind. However, I also lacked confidence and thought it was too late to regret. Hopefully, joining Project 2 with Amy will be a great start to coming back to the joy of dancing."

​

Gosia
Poland

"I'm from Poland and currently have a job in office administration and customer service, which, to be honest, can be a bit dull. But I've found a real passion in volunteering for an organization that supports women, and it's incredibly fulfilling. My dreams for the future include becoming an oriental dance artist, and when I have more free time, I'd love to explore more DJing and music production while also getting involved in activism."

​

Jocasta
UK

"I started ballet when I was three years old at the Phillips-Cain School of Dance in Hexham, and worked my way through the RAD examinations until I decided to pursue a dance career as a teenager. I danced with the York Dance Scholars, and attended summer schools with English National Ballet. I then moved on to study as an associate with Northern Ballet in Leeds. Despite my lifelong love for ballet and contemporary, I eventually decided to return to my studies, gaining undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Oxford and York. Since then I have been getting back into ballet at Dance City and exploring exciting new dance forms such as Cabaret, Jazz and Argentinian Tango!"

​

Lindsay 

UK 

"My dancing journey was fairly traditional from an enthusiastic toddler skipping to nursery rhymes in the village hall through to learning ballet, tap and modern until age 16. Many years later, I was really excited to discover Dance City and realise that it was possible to take up dance again as an adult. I work in a university in Muscular Dystrophy research, walk in the hills a lot, sail a little and have two teenage daughters who think it’s pretty cool their mum is dancing again!" 

​

Mei
Taiwan

"I’m a full-time mum and I’m from Taiwan.  I came to England on a fiancé visa to marry my Geordie husband in 2008 and only in recent years I had my new-found freedom after my child had started her high school.

 
I first had a taste of ballet in 2019 with DanceCity for the purpose of training my core muscles as I had had chronic lower back and hip pains for years.  I stopped going to the class because of the Covid Lockdown and later resumed after the Covid restrictions lifted and in July this year decided to join this North East Dance Project for the sheer excitement of the performance opportunity!  Also because my daughter has been dancing ballet for years and I’d like to show her that Mummy embraces the music and dance, too!

 
I love going to drama or music shows in theatres, painting/drawing, high-end food, getting fit (swimming and running) and travelling!

 
I’m compassionate and empathetic.  I even go out my way to help others; sometimes it even damages my own interests. I dislike conflict and hate injustice and the lack of reciprocation from others."

​

Mila
Netherlands/Germany

"Hi, I'm Mila! I'm originally from the Netherlands/Germany but have been living in Newcastle for about 2 years now working in communications in both the video games and charity sector. I'm very much a newbie to dance, I used to do ballroom dance and the odd bit of musical theatre when I was younger, but never dedicated enough time to be any good. In the last year or so I have been trying to get back into dancing as I have always loved it and wanted to be better at it. I've been attending ballet and ballroom dancing classes at Dance City for a little while now and I am super excited to join NEDP!"

​

Miriam 

UK 

"I’m Miriam, I’m in my 50’s and I love to dance. I did ballet, tap and contemporary as a child and came back to ballet a few years ago. I work as a doctor in Intensive Care in the NE and I’m originally from Yorkshire." 

​

Nicola
UK

"I began my dancing journey on a whim at the age of 29 after deciding it sounded fun! I started with ballet at Dance City, but also dabbled in tap, tribal belly dance, and jazz, but it was ballet that I fell in love with. I’m a software developer by day, and when I’m not working or dancing you’ll probably find me reading, gaming, or indulging in one of my many crafty hobbies!"

​

​

Roberta
Italy

"I come from Italy and have been living in the UK, on and off, for about 13 years. I moved back to the North East during the pandemic after a first stint at Durham University in 2008-10. I work in academic publishing.  
I began dancing when I was 14 years old, and never stopped since. My main passion is ballet, but over the years I have studied modern, jazz, musical theatre, and contemporary. Ballet class is the highlight of my week."

​

​

Stephanie 

UK 

"I learnt ballet and other dance styles as a child, dancing until I was 18. I spent some time training in Mime in Poland during University summer holidays and toured Poland performing.  After qualifying as a Secondary English teacher I found my way back to dance choreographing for the school shows, and eventually taught GCSE Dance alongside teaching English. I then undertook a Masters In Teaching (Dance) with the Royal Academy of Dance before somehow losing my way. I stopped dancing for 9 years! Thankfully I have found my way back to my true, dancing self, and vow never to stop again." 

Susan 

UK 

Susan is a dance artist and teaches flamenco dance at Dance City and other venues. Her individual dance practice links flamenco, western contemporary dance and Japanese butoh. Susan is committed to augmenting her overall dance fitness and technique through ballet. Susan is a qualified social worker and senior lecturer. When not dancing, she likes tea, cats, bluebells and yoga. Susan has lived in the north-east since 2009, she is looking forward to new opportunities with the NEDP company. 

​

Suze
The Netherlands

"My name is Suze, and I'm a Dutch freelance musician who's called Newcastle her home for the past three years after moving here to do my Master's. I'm a passionate amateur dancer who's worked in a range of different styles throughout my teenage and student years, with a particular love for contemporary and classical ballet."

​

Tina 

Russia 

"My name is Tina. I am 28 years old and I work at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, where I ‘crew’ gallery floors and teach English as a foreign language. I am also currently studying to be a therapist. I started contemporary dance when I was 5 years old and it remained my favourite thing in the world well into my teen years. I then ended up taking what turned into a 10 year break, as adulthood knocked me off my feet and am only getting back into it now. To this day I live for music and moving my body to music is still the only way I have found to feel truly free and myself. " 

William 

UK 

"Compulsory Men’s Ballet class at 19 yrs old once a week at GSA for first two years of a three year Actor training - took it up again September 2019 and now lost 35 lbs and loving it! "