I’ve been working for Citymoves for a year now as Dance Development Officer (Education and Early Years).

The bulk of this work has gone into managing Project Strive, a Cashback for Creativity project aimed at using dance and physical activity to engage with people, predominantly males, from areas of deprivation to encourage engagement and further learning. As well as leading on our studio class programme, delivering tutor training and organising classes for Early Years which have happened outwith the studio and within it. I also dabbled at creating new classes for adults, including Sunday Improvisation Jams.

Citymoves has 3 Dance Development Officers (DDO), one for Education (me), one for Inclusion and one for Professional Pathways.

I am absolutely delighted to this year be taking over the responsibilities of the Professional Pathways DDO also, as maternity cover.

Therefore, this year I will now be running the Professional Residency programme, be course leader on the SQA Higher Dance course and manage the Artistic Director of Fusion, Citymoves Youth Dance Company. I also aim to create and sustain opportunities for professional artists, therefore hosting Pro Dance class as well as other opportunities.

I am excited and delighted because all of these aspects of dance are also where my passion lays.

My involvement with Citymoves began as I was the first person to have residency in the Anatomy Rooms, and it feels rather marvellous to now be able to offer that opportunity to others.

I have recently taught on the SQA Higher Dance course, so it feels a natural progression to now be leading on this. I will still be delivering the theory and choreography module, however we have freelance tutors delivering the practical modules, with specialisms in contemporary, jazz and ballet.

Citymoves also runs 28 studio weekly classes which as a team we lead on. Strive runs up to 22 weekly outreach classes. There are currently outreach Early Years classes, and we have worked in collaboration with Scottish Dance Theatre to deliver outreach workshops and performances as well as providing work for Arts Across Learning Festival. We have also had a residency in collaboration with Imaginate, supporting and developing new dance work for young audiences.

The next professional residency application deadline is 31st Oct 2018.