Dance Ahead offer a range of workshops, community projects and can design initiatives to suit specific community and corporate requirements.
Collaborations with a range of partners ensure project reach across a broad range of communities both nationally and internationally.
Activities for All
EXAMPLE COMMUNITY PROJECTS
‘At the Helm: A Summer Celebration of all things creative’
Zoë delivered a range of workshops in dance and creative arts as part of ‘At the Helm: A Summer Celebration of all things creative’. The workshops were delivered alongside TEAM, with support from Kirkby Stephen Community Arts and Kirkby Stephen Community Support.
‘Big Burn Supper’s Amazing Summer’
Zoë ran a 5-day dance course as part of Big Burn Supper’s Amazing Summer – a series of intensive summer sessions in a range of performing arts subjects such as comedy, drama, dance and costume. Zoë also choreographed the opening number for Scotland’s first ever drag school; a 5 day course that provided a safe space to explore the art and role of drag in modern society.
Carlisle Culture Week: MultiCultural Cumbria
Working in close collaboration with a wealth of community providers in Carlisle Zoë Leigh and Sophie delivered a fun-filled cultural week alongside Carlisle Youth Zone’s HITZ Holiday Club.
Funded by the Big Lottery Fund (secured by community group M-Unit) Dance Ahead assisted the sustainable return of community group ‘MultiCultural Carlisle’ with original founder of the group Saj Ghafoor and helped with the return of MCC’s annual Culture Bazaar event in 2018 & 2019.
The week of culture for Carlisle’s multicultural youth, included an interactive drama space where young people could create their own sense of ‘home’ along with a broad range of taster sessions that ranged from Indian classical dance and decoupage to shadow theatre and graffiti.
‘Dance Around the World’ – Supported by Active Cumbria
Residents in Carlisle, from all around the world enjoyed a 10 week pilot scheme of FREE basic dance classes that explored world styles, rhythms and movement. There was a chance to share traditional dances, to learn others, to explore the way the body moves and to meet new friends! Members came from Nepal, China, Romania, Poland, Japan, UK, Egypt, Italy etc. and used to come along to the session following an early morning English class. Supported by Active Cumbria.
‘Kinetic Reading for ESOL Learners’
Zoë’s Kinetic Reading technique was experienced by a range of participants for whom english is a second language. The workshops allowed participants to apply simple, yet effective, movement techniques to aid their learning and understanding of language structures. Kinetic Reading allows participants to find common ground and overcome anxieties that can be present when attempting to communicate in a second language. Sessions are fun, physical and engaging and result in connectivity across cultures and increased confidence in language.
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DANCE WITH US
Book a Workshop…
Schools, Colleges, Universities, Community/Youth Groups, Intensive Projects, Workshops, Classes
For enquiries please contact Zoë at info@danceahead.co.uk
Community enhancement and integration lie at the centre of our work. Zoë holds a wealth of experience in delivering high quality interdisciplinary workshops, classes and projects to a broad range of people in a variety of contexts.
Zoë has over 16 years of working in Higher Education and freelance teaching across the UK and internationally. She has worked with non-dancers to professional dancers; 6 year olds to 80 year olds, undergraduates and graduates and has gained something new from each and every session. Zoë holds a Postgraduate Qualification in Academic Practice and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She specialises in holistic course design and ensures all sessions, whether a one-off or a series of sessions, are high-quality learning experiences that encourage participants to learn about themselves whilst challenging themselves and their collaborative skills.
Dance Ahead offer workshops to suit
a range of budgets and work with educational institutions to design bespoke sessions/projects that work to enhance curriculum-based learning through creative and interdisciplinary approaches.
Zoë works with a range of artists and can also refer work to practitioners in a broad range of dance styles and performing arts practices – contact Zoë for a chat to discuss the potential for your context.
Educational provision
WANT US TO VISIT YOU?
Zoe has been an invaluable help to me becoming a more rounded performer…I would spend classes in the corner and try to make myself as unnoticeable as possible. Zoe refused to take that for an answer and by the end of the term had cast me as a pivotal role in our dance assessment…which would not have been achievable without Zoe’s refusal to let me give up. Can’t thank her enough.
Rahman Telliam / BA (Hons) Performing Arts student
Zoe has guided many in creative ways and has been the foundation in helping students reach greater success. The process was challenging mentally and physically which is what makes her even more thrilling to work with. It is a perfect example of her passion and devotion to every project she works on.
Beth Law / Recent graduate
Zoe is an extremely kind hearted and patient mentor. Although the subject she taught me was not my strongest she always made time to draw and see the best within me. Her commitment and passion for each student to succeed only adds to her gentle and caring personality. Her mentoring and guidance has helped me to be where I am today.
Joe Roper / Former student & photographer