Meet The Team
Sarah Hall
Creative Director
Sarah is Creative Director of Blue Moose Dance Company with 12 years experience working in community and education settings across the North West, leading and developing creative dance provision that inspires, challenges and connects.
Sarah trained at Middlesex University and the University of Leeds, gaining a first-class BA (Hons) in Dance in 2009 and also holds QTS in Secondary education. Sarah has developed her craft across the region through regular partnership working and project development which aims to support communities to better connect and to celebrate the individual.
Sarah is passionate about working as a facilitator, manager, choreographer and producer, staying connected to the practice of Dance whilst aiming to further the sector strategically. Sarah’s current main interests lie in Youth Dance and progression routes for young people, leading Preston Youth Dance Company (just celebrating 10 years) and previously working on youth dance development across the north of England.
Sarah is also working with Sarah Gough as Lead Artist on ‘from HEAD to TOE and everything in between’, a Paul Hamlyn Foundation funded project over the next two years.
Sarah is a Dance Ambassador with National Dance Company Wales, offering outreach support for audiences to learn more about the company’s work.
Sarah is also Co-Course Leader and Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Dance course at UCLan.
Hannah Tongue
Education & Events Co-Ordinator
Hannah is our Education and Events Programme Coordinator, as well one of our Artists that delivers across our schools and community programmes.
Working with young people in a creative way is one of Hannah’s great passions. She has developed her practice since graduating, finding an interest in creative dance, particularly in educational settings. Working alongside teachers and pupils in schools allows Hannah to deepen her knowledge and understanding of working creatively in an educational setting. She loves to see how she can develop curriculum learning through creative movement and dance.
In recent years, Hannah has developed her work within adult settings. She has vast experience in delivering chair based movement sessions and has developed her knowledge and understanding of movement and dementia. Hannah has been especially interested in how movement can influence those with dementia and the benefits from this.
Whilst Hannah lived in the North West for 7 years, she is an original Southerner and is currently based near London. Hannah studied at the University of Central Lancashire and gained her BA (Hons) Dance Performance and Teaching degree in 2016. Hannah also has 12 years teaching experience in many settings including Care Homes, Schools, Colleges and Universities and within many Communities. One of Hannah’s passions is music and she loves to attend live gigs as much as possible!
Lucy Atkinson
Finance Officer
Lucy is our Finance Officer, joining Team Moose in February 2020. Lucy helps us with all things numbers and helps to keep Team Moose thriving!
Artists
Sarah Gough
Freelance Dance Artist
Sarah delivers on our education programme and is also a Lead Artist on our latest Arts-Based Learning Project ‘from HEAD to TOE and everything inbetween’.
Sarah gained a BA (Hons) degree in Dance in 2004; graduating from York St. John College UK & State University of New York: Potsdam, USA. Sarah specialises in contemporary and creative dance and in writing and delivering creative curriculum for primary settings.
She works passionately to deliver high quality and engaging dance with organisations including Blue Moose Dance Company, Ludus Dance, The Lowry Centre for Advanced Training and The Royal Ballet School.
Also, Sarah is a Part Time Carpenter, a lover of the outdoors and lived on a canal boat for 6 years! Sarah dances because it makes her feel alive!
Laura Broome
Freelance Dance Artist – Project Manager
Laura is the Project Manager for our 2 year Paul Hamlyn Foundation funded project, ‘from HEAD to TOE and everything in between’.
Laura trained at the University of Chichester, gaining a first-class BA (Hons) in Dance in 2010. Since then, Laura has worked extensively across facilitation, producing, project management and organisational development. A true believer in the power of dance, Laura is passionate about working with diverse communities and across a range of settings, taking dance and creative movement to those who might not otherwise have access to the arts.
Laura’s specialism as a practitioner is in using creative movement as a form of expression and communication, working within a range of care homes and with charities including Action For Refugees in Lewisham.
Laura has worked within the management, strategic development and producing teams for a range of organisations, including Quays Culture at The Lowry, UCLanDance, Northern Ballet, Hofesh Shechter Company, and Coalesce Dance Theatre.
Laura has also recently started working with organisations on the development of programmes and strategies to enhance staff wellbeing in a truly holistic sense, including The Co-op.
Laura is also on The Board of Trustees for Cartwheel Arts.
Kate Battersby
Freelance Dance Artist
Kate is our Ingleton Youth Dance and Ingleton Primary teacher.
Kate graduated from Edge Hill University with a first class BA Hons Degree in dance and began her career as a freelance dance artist. Kate began teaching and performing with companies such as Ludus Dance, LPM Theatre, Motion Dance Initiative, Brewery Arts Centre, Company Chameleon and Lisa Simpson Inclusive Dance Company.
After freelancing for 2 years, Kate began her new role as a Dance Development Officer at Ludus Dance where she worked in Cultural Education and Youth Talent Pathways. In this role she worked in schools across the North West delivering multi arts projects from dancing in Libraries to dancing outdoors. Kate also delivered their weekly studio programme classes and directed Ludus Youth Dance Company.
In 2023, Kate decided a more flexible work schedule was more suited to her family and returned to a freelance role. Since this Kate has been delivering dance in all educational settings from nurseries, right up to 3rd year students at Universities. To add to this Kate has taken on a role at DanceSyndrome as their new Mentoring Manager one day a week, supporting their dance leaders progress personally and artistically.
Christina Elazab
Freelance Dance Artist
Christina is our Mature Movers and Adult Ballet class teacher.
Christina is an incredibly passionate and experienced yoga, group exercise and dance teacher as well as personal trainer and well being consultant. She studied at Northern Contemporary Dance gaining a 1st Class Honours Degree and subsequently went on to tour with Verve09.
Having taught in over 10 countries, she has previously designed the well being programmes for TUI holidays global, as well as gaining her yoga teaching qualification in India. Christina believes movement is medicine and is happiest when sharing love, respect, smiles and kindness in the world!
Jess Bennett
Freelance Dance Artist
Jess delivers on our education programme and brings a wonderful energy to Team Moose!
Jess graduated from Edge Hill University with a first class degree in Dance. During her time at University, she had the opportunity to work and perform with a variety of companies and artists including Company Chameleon, Aakash Odedra Company, Laura Vanhulle. Bettina Carpi; as well as working in educational and community settings with Ludus Dance, and LPM Dance Theatre.
Jess is now a freelance dance artist; teaching, performing and spreading the love of dance across the North West. She currently teaches in a variety of primary schools for Wigle Dance CIC, Redlocks creations, and Motion Dance Initiative.
Jess finds such an importance in bringing dance to young people, and is continually inspired by the creativity and joy young people bring. When she’s not dancing, Jess loves to go walking when the weather isn’t too cold, or is at home with a cup of peppermint tea in hand. She is also a big lover of aerial circus.
Hannah Almond
Freelance Dance Artist
Hannah delivers on our education programme and is the newest member of Team Moose!
Hannah is a freelance dance artist and choreographer with over a decade of industry experience, and a BA (Hons) Dance degree from York St John. She is known for crafting dynamic, expressive work across stage, cruise, and live events. Her performance and choreographic portfolio spans theatre tours, international hotel productions, and large-scale entertainment with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, MH Productions, and Gandeys Circus, including tribute productions to Take That and Robbie Williams.
Her work blends musicality, storytelling, and a strong technical foundation, with experience creating and assisting choreography for shows, events, and community productions. Alongside performing, Hannah contributes to casting and production development, bringing a collaborative, detail-driven approach to every project.
Through being a current Associate Artist with the Royal Ballet Chance to Dance programme, Hannah is dedicated to creating inspiring, high-energy spaces that celebrate creativity, strength, and individuality—with just as much love for a colour-coded spreadsheet as she has for the studio.
Jordan Sheard
Freelance Dance Artist
Jordan is our Associate Artist for our Ingleton Youth Dance and Ingleton Primary classes and also delivers on our education programme.
Jordan has performed with various youth companies and The Lowry’s Centre for Advanced Training. As well as performing, Jordan has also produced her own short dance film.
After training at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Jordan developed her practice by joining intensives, R&D’s and work experience with independent artists and companies around the UK including Coalesce Dance Theatre, Ballet Boyz, Ludus Dance, WigLe Dance CIC and Blue Moose Dance Company.
Jordan thrives on sharing her joy of moving to connect with other people but when she’s not dancing, she enjoys yoga, snowboarding and looking after her many plants!
Sophie Barrow
Freelance Dance Artist
Sophie delivers on our education programme and first started out with us as a member of Preston Youth Dance Company. It’s great to have a family member continuing with us!
Since completing her Dance performance and Teaching Degree at the University of Central Lancashire, Sophie strives to advocate for careers in the arts for young people. Working on programmes such as Curious Minds’ Young Associates Scheme and encouraging participants to realise and understand their potential. Sophie also delivers sessions for Ludus Dance, Sense, Motion Dance Initiative and Dance Syndrome.
Sophie enjoys using play and imaginative exploration in dance. Encouraging all participants to find their own groove and vibes and owning whatever they create! Sophie loves working in community and inclusive settings, creating work that is accessible, creative and fun! Her main style of dance is contemporary, but with a funky twist. Anything weird and wonderful goes and of course, who doesn’t love a good rave and some cheeky floorwork!
Sophie secretly loves history, videogaming and makes a mean cheesecake!
Lily Evans
Freelance Dance Artist
Lily delivers on our education programme and is our newest member of Team Moose!
Personal projects Lily is really proud include; being apart of performing as a dancer in ‘GALWAD’ which was a televised event on Sky Arts, working with Company Carpi dancing under the Gaia installation, and directing a multi-arts film for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to celebrate their 75th anniversary.
Lily enjoys being inspired by the people around her and cherishes being able to bring her love for teaching, dancing and the arts to inspire others and create a happy, joyful environment for everyone.
Anna James
Freelance Dance Artist
Anna delivers on our education programme, with a specialism in working with young people in inclusive settings.
Anna studied at the University of Central Lancashire and gained her degree in Dance Performance and Teaching. She specialises in Youth Dance and inclusive practice.
Anna got stung by 39 wasps at the same time (ouch!), she is addicted to chocolate and has a season ticket for Manchester City football club.
Anna dances because she has never known anything different; she uses dance to express herself.
Directors
Michelle Hodgson
Michelle is a Director of Blue Moose Dance Company CIC and helps guide us forward making use of her MA in Creative Arts Consultancy. She has been the Commercial Director of the company she owns with her husband for over 20 years and brings a wealth of practical knowledge in management to her role as a director. Fun fact, Michelle won a disco dancing competition, complete with trophy in 1983!
Richard Mounsey
Richard is a Director of Blue Moose Dance Company CIC. Richard comes from an Accountancy background and brings a new perspective to the company, helping us stay connected to those outside of Arts backgrounds. Just like Michelle, Richard is a secret Dance pro on the side… he was once awarded a prize for Salsa dancing!