Month: November 2023

After studying Contemporary Dance at University Helen’s career began working as a freelance dance administrator for FRONTLINEdance in 2001.  Providing an introduction to the dance industry and an opportunity to gain knowledge of administratively supporting an integrated dance project, she continued to follow the success of FRONTLINEdance through the years.

Helen’s career developed through a variety of administration and management roles, culminating in her current position as National Account Manager within the wholesale foodservice sector. With strong communication skills and customer service experience, a sound understanding of business development and general management, and proficiencies in sales and financial reporting, Helen is able to bring a unique balance and perspective to the Board.  Always actively involved with local communities Helen has held voluntary positions of committee chair for Brereton Preschool and Playgroup, and committee member for Goostrey Rose Festival, where liaising with volunteers, event co-ordination, and managing projects have been key skills.

Dance has always been an integral part of Helen’s life from being a class member of community groups such as Breakthrou’ and private dance schools, being a member of the Staffordshire Dance Collective, to volunteering as a dancer in community projects such as RECLAIM and PALACE by RESTOKE, and FRONTLINEdance’s IGNITE project and a Game of 2 ‘Arfs.

Helen is delighted to be once again involved and supporting the continued development of FRONTLINEdance as a member of the Board and working with a company that makes a difference.

It’s with great sadness that on Tuesday 15th October, our wonderful Chair, Marc Crank sadly passed away.

I first met Marc back in the early 2000’s when he was the CEO of Disability Solutions. He first became Chair of FRONTLINEdance from 15 April 2004 to 13 October 2008. He rejoined the board again as Chair and Director in September 2023.

Marc led with great care, compassion and humour. He was a committed, knowledgeable, and experienced, Chair, whom we were very lucky to have on our board. He was enthusiastic about the work that we do here at FRONTLINEdance, and very supportive of me as the Artistic Director/CEO.

Marc’s job as CEO at several charities, meant that he could share his knowledge and experience with me and the rest of the team. He understood and acted on the importance of his role from both sides. He ensured that we met monthly, and always thanked me for the work I was doing. He also always ended by reminding me to take care and not to forget to look after myself.

His advice, words of wisdom and compassion prominently whirl around in my head. They will offer me support and strength as we plough through the many plans and activities, we have for FRONTLINEdance.

Our thoughts and condolences are with Marc’s wife Fiona, his family, friends and colleagues.

Rachael Lines, Artistic Director / CEO, FRONTLINEdance

Sophie has been working in participatory arts for 7 years, working with a wide range of ages and backgrounds on several different community projects. She has previously worked for Birmingham Royal Ballet coordinating a large-scale performance project in three UK cities with participants aged 9-99yrs, then with Coventry City of Culture on their major city-wide opening event ‘Coventry Moves’.

Currently, Sophie is the Participation Producer for an ambitious mass-participatory dance and movement project called ‘Critical Mass’ that brings together young disabled and non-disabled people aged 16-30 to perform at major cultural events. This project has ignited a passion for access and inclusion in Sophie that she hopes to develop within her role as a Board Member for FRONTLINEdance.

Amy started dancing at the age of two at Jenny Brennan School of Dance, before being awarded a full scholarship to train at Elmhurst Ballet School, in Birmingham, from the age of 12 onwards. Whilst training there she had the opportunity to work alongside guest choreographers including Ruth Brill, Paul James Rooney and Adam Rutherford.  She also had the opportunity to create dance pieces for the yearly choreographic competitions. 

Amy went on to train at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance achieving a BA Hons in 2020. During her time at Rambert, she had the opportunity to work with choreographers such as Darren Ellis and Thick and Tight and performed Christopher Bruce’s piece called ‘Stream’. Throughout all of her training, she was involved in a number of different choreographic platforms and also worked with local year 10 GCSE students choreographing a piece for the ‘Aspire’ project. 

Amy has also been a member of Transitions Dance Company touring around the UK, performing works choreographed by Didy Veldman, Rahel Vonmoos and Dog Kennel Hill Project. She also gained a MA in Dance Performance. 

Amy is currently a freelance dance artist within Stoke-On-Trent. She has recently worked with Restoke, performing in the Lotus Eaters, and is continuing to help others with episode 5 of the Odyssey. She is also really looking forward to working with New Vic Theatre performing in their Christmas show- The Nutcracker in 2023-2024. In the future, she also endeavours to create her own work to express her own artistic voice.

Amy has taught and explored movement with a range of ages and backgrounds. She teaches in private dance schools from the ages of 3 upwards. As well as leading dance sessions for over 60s within the community setting. Additionally, Amy is a regular teacher for Staffordshire Youth Ballet- an associate programme for young aspiring dancers. She also works at the YMCA in Hanley leading movement based sessions for disabled and neurodivergent children and young people. Amy is really interested in how dance can be utilised to support well-being, specifically, in how we can tell stories and express ourselves through movement.  She is really grateful and excited to be working with FRONTLINEdance as a youth ambassador and associate dance Artis, to share her lived experience, and her love for movement with others.