Sarah Hall

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

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.

Recently, Hannah has been developing her work within adult settings. She has vast experience in delivering chair based movement sessions and has recently 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

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 G

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.

Kayleigh Whiteside

Freelance Dance Artist

Kayleigh delivers on our education programme and assists with our work with NDCWales!

Kayleigh enjoys moving and grooving to chilled sounds, attempting to find a place where contemporary meets cool! Making work with movers that aren’t traditionally trained in dance, focusing on creativity, flow and improvisation is where she is happiest.

Kayleigh originally trained in Latin & Ballroom, but since studying dance at Preston College and completing her degree in Dance Performance and Teaching at UCLan, she has developed a love for the weird and wonderful world of contemporary dance. Kayleigh also delivers dance sessions for the Lowry CAT and Preston North End Schools Partnership, as well as the University of Central Lancashire.

Kayleigh is a massive RuPaul’s Drag Race fan, and also enjoys seeing live music and eating as much halloumi as possible!

Christina Elazab

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!

Sharman Robinson

Freelance Dance Artist

Sharman has joined the team as maternity cover for Christina (her daughter!) and is leading our Mature Movers and Adult Ballet classes this term.

Sharman brings an unbelievable wealth of experience to the team and a diverse range of skills, enriching the opportunities for our Adult classes this term. Sharman trained under the Royal Academy of Dance until the age of 13 then completed BBO Dance Training from there on. She was a professional Bluecoat dancer and performer at Pontins, danced professionally abroad and returned to the UK to start The Sharman Robinson School of Dance in 1997 (now Robinson Read School of Dance). The school has now been running for 45 years and she is still taking an active part in the teaching. Alongside teaching, Sharman examines for BBO Dance and has been a Director of BBO in previous years.

Sharman loves Dance, loves to teach and teaches all ages! Her comfort zone is in the studio!

Erin Pollit

Freelance Dance Artist

Erin delivers on our education programme and brings a wonderful energy to Team Moose!

Erin has a first class degree from NSCD and an MA in dance from the Place as part of their touring company EDGE. She has performed for Anthony Missen (Company Chameleon), Jonathan Poole, Pepa Ubera, Ocean all Over and has appeared in multiple commercials and music videos. Alongside this, Erin teaches in youth setting across the North West, such as the Lowry CAT Scheme, and has recently conducted her own research looking at the link between dancers’ injuries and mental health, and is a volunteer counsellor for the mental health charity Shout. Above all, Erin loves to move and loves to help others find the same joy through moving! She also has a particular interest in Youth Dance.

Erin is a die hard Friends fan, is addicted to Belvita breakfast bars, and, is deeply afraid of spiders. Erin is proud of being a proper northerner, can sleep for days on end and is happiest when in the sun!

Celia Hammersley

Freelance Dance Artist

Celia delivers on our education programme and brings a wonderful energy to Team Moose!

Celia grew up in Switzerland speaking two languages, English and German. She completed her first BA degree in Psychomotor Therapy in Switzerland before moving to England to study dance. Celia gained her second BA degree, graduating with a first in Dance Performance and Teaching at the University of Central Lancashire.

Celia values community dance and sees great importance in giving young people and adults opportunities to engage in creative activities through dance and movement.

Celia stays active with yoga and walking, where she likes to soak up the sun. In her free time she enjoys cooking and trying out new recipes, and she always carries an emergency snack!

Zoe Norbury

Freelance Dance Artist

Zoe delivers on our education programme and brings a wonderful energy to Team Moose!

Zoe trained at De Montfort University, gaining a First Class Honours in Dance, and has since been travelling. In Australia, Zoe became an ambassador for Supercell: Brisbane’s Contemporary Dance Festival. As a performer, Zoe has worked at Disneyland Paris, and has also performed in the UK.  She has also managed the postgraduate arts and media festival ‘Jumped’ alongside theatre company, Wives’ Tales.

Zoe is inspired to develop creative and performance opportunities for young dancers. She graduated from Edge Hill University with a PGDE in Post-14 Education and Training. Zoe also delivers workshops for the The Lowry’s Centre for Advanced Training. She teaches in a variety of youth settings across the North West and thrives off sharing her love for moving and grooving (especially to some funky tunes) and spreading joy to those around her.

If she’s not dancing, Zoe is enjoying a good cuppa tea and biscuits (chocolate digestives are a winner). In her words, a cuppa tea can fix just about anything!

Abbie Blake

Freelance Dance Artist

Abbie delivers on our education programme across Lancashire, bringing a great spirit to Team Moose!

Abbie is currently a dance undergraduate in her 3rd year at the University of Central Lancashire. Dance has been a constant in Abbie’s life and has given her many experiences. She has performed on multiple occasions with the English Youth Ballet, and Imagine Theatre’s yearly Christmas pantomimes in Cheshire, as well as regularly taking part in West End Stage summer schools working with many industry professionals. Before deciding to attend University Abbie taught at a dance school teaching a range of styles including Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Hip-Hop and many more!

Abbie is constantly evolving her practice through her own doing and learning and allows her interest in Somatic and Embodied approaches to movement to inform a holistic approach to her own facilitation methods.

She is crazy for dogs and enjoys having lazy days cuddling up to her English Pointer, Larry. Abbie loves live theatre/performances and has no self-control when it comes to buying Christmas presents!!

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.

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!

Joanna Crawford

Freelance Dance Artist

Joanna delivers on our education programme and brings a wonderful energy to Team Moose!

Joanna trained at Preston College Dance the Royal Academy of Dance, graduating from the latter with a first class honours degree in Dance Education in 2006.

In addition to running her own dance school, JC Dance, Joanna has wide ranging experience of delivering dance to private dance schools, primary schools, nurseries and is also a children’s yoga teacher. Joanna is a keen yogi and when not working enjoys being outside!

Emilia Swannack

Freelance Dance Artist

Emilia 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!

Emilia trained at Edge Hill University. Throughout university, Emilia has experience teaching, providing workshops and classes to aspiring young dancers in college and primary school settings.

She is currently evolving her practice through performing alongside her teaching. Emilia is a professional Bollywood dancer and a children’s Disney Princess entertainer. She specialise in contemporary, hip-hop and commercial dance and has been training in aerial silks for 3 years.

Emilia has worked with artists such as Aakash Odedra, Joseph Reay-Reid and companies such as About Time Dance Company and Levantes Dance Theatre Dance Company.

Emilia loves the idea of dancing to make you feel good, and is passionate about working with young dancers, learning with them and finding new ways to move. When she’s not dancing, she is enjoying quality time doing fun activities with friends and family.

Robbie Garland

Freelance Dance Artist

Robbie delivers on our education programme and brings a wonderful energy to Team Moose!

Robbie recently graduated from Edge Hill University with a degree in Dance. Now a fully-fledged Freelance Dance Artist he is working all across the North West of England.

He was worked with a number of well renowned companies and artists such as: Company Chameleon, Ludus Dance, WigLe Dance CIC, Bettina Carpi, Night People and many more. In summer of 2022 he won a community award where he had afternoon tea with the Mayor of Lancaster due to his voluntary teaching and facilitating work.

He also has co-founded a dance company; Fusion Dance Theatre!

Lisa Chearles

Freelance Dance Artist

Lisa delivers on our education programme and brings create experience of performance and choreography to our team.

Lisa trained at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, graduating with First Class honours. She has since performed in the outdoor productions ‘Mayfly’ and ‘album: skool edition’ with Kapow Dance Circus Theatre and SAY, touring to festivals in the UK. Lisa also performed Coalesce Dance Theatre’s family-friendly show ‘The Old Green Time Machine’ in libraries and schools across Leeds and Lancaster. She was a devising performer for ‘Snowed In’ by Anatomical, performing a run of shows at The Place.

Lisa has taught for ProDanceLeeds under the Graduate Artist Scheme, and as a guest teacher for the CAT scheme at Northern School of Contemporary Dance. She also supported the delivery of outreach sessions for Kapow Dance Circus Theatre.

Lisa enjoys connecting with others through movement, and sharing the joy of moving. She plays the ukulele, drinks too much strawberry milk, and will go out of her way to pet every stray cat.

Darcy

Darcey Frost

Freelance Dance Artist

Darcey delivers on our education programme and brings a wonderful energy to Team Moose!

Darcey gained her BA (Hons) Dance Performance and Teaching degree at The University of Central Lancashire and regularly delivers creative dance sessions across the North West, including Manchester.

She is slightly obsessed with all things Disney and Marvel, has a cat named Tilly (another thing she’s obsessed with) and has titanium metal in her heart!
Darcey dances because it makes her happy! She also loves seeing people grow and express themselves through dance. It has allowed her to meet many amazing people!

Anna

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 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!

Rich 3

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!