Category: Team

Dan Martin, a Bristol-based photographer and filmmaker, is celebrated nationally for his creative vision and captivating storytelling. 

His work has garnered recognition at esteemed events, including the Buffer Festival in Toronto, where he was invited to showcase his work. 

Notably, his contributions have been honoured with two prestigious awards at the Circus International Film Festival, winning both the Audience Award in 2022 and the Founder’s Award in 2023. 

Dan’s distinctive creations, crafted with meticulous attention to detail, can be enjoyed exclusively on BBC iPlayer, showcasing his unique perspective and undeniable talent.

“It was a privilege to collaborate with FRONTLINEdance on a project that explored grief with such honesty and compassion. The process was both meaningful and creatively fulfilling.”

Lesley Goodburn has worked in healthcare for the last 18 years working locally in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, regionally in the West Midlands, and latterly nationally as the experience of care lead for provider improvement and national clinical programmes at NHS England. She currently works for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as head of public involvement and engagement.

Lesley has a passion for using creativity and art to help people share their experiences of care, and in her time at NHS England she developed a programme of digital storytelling across 150 hospitals. She has also shared her personal experience of the death of her husband Seth from pancreatic cancer, 33 short and heart-breaking days after diagnosis, via ‘Seth’s Story’, which is a play, a film and an educational resource.  

She joined FRONTLINEdance as a Director following a collaboration with the ‘Holding On’ project, a contemporary dance and two films, exploring grief and bereavement after the death of a loved one from pancreatic cancer.

Amy is thrilled to return to FRONTLINEdance after a seven-year break from dance, during which she was a full-time carer for her daughter, Peggy. During this time, she also worked at Horton Lodge Community Special School in Staffordshire, supporting children to develop greater independence in both physical and communication skills through conductive education.

Amy holds a First-Class BA (Hons) in Dance from the University of Leeds. She began her journey with FRONTLINEdance in 2002 as a trainee dance artist, contributing to numerous projects over seven years as a performer, choreographer, and facilitator.

She has also collaborated extensively with Restoke, participating in projects such as Mother, You Are Here, Voyagers, Reclaim, and Palace. With Restoke’s support, Amy also led a series of six creative sessions for mothers of disabled children, combining movement, conversation, and craft to foster connection and support.

Amy’s wider experience includes working with a range of artists and companies, including Lucy Suggate, Jordi Cortes Molina, Salamanda Tandem, Beth Cassani, Hull Truck Theatre Company, Lucy Cullingford, and Filip Van Hussel of Retina Dance Company.

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.

Sophie has been working across Arts, Culture and Sport for nearly 10 years, specialising in access and inclusion, across communities, festivals and mass-participation projects with people of all ages and backgrounds. A highlight of her career was as the Participation Producer for a mass-scale inclusive dance project (‘Critical Mass’) as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, challenging perceptions of disability and genuine inclusion in mega sport and cultural events. 

She is currently the Senior Development Manager at Access Sport, ensuring community clubs across the West Midlands have confidence, resource and knowledge to work with disadvantaged and disabled young people. Past companies have included FABRIC, Birmingham Royal Ballet & Coventry City of Culture. Sophie has a strong passion both for Dance and Disability and is thrilled to support FRONTLINEdance in combining the two.

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 artist, to share her lived experience, and her love for movement with others.

Alongside her work as a freelance dance artist, Charlotte is also a talented project coordinator and administrator and has leant her skills to support the work at The Dance Studio Leeds, FRONTLINEdance and the Skinner Releasing Network in addition to being a programmer and co director of artist led Pro Dance Leeds. She also works as NSCD’s CAT Outreach Coordinator, managing a team of 8 artists delivering outreach work across Yorkshire.

In Patsy’s advocacy role she has worked in partnership with FRONTLINEdance and seen first-hand the huge difference this organisation makes in people’s lives; leading by example and providing opportunities for people to take part, developing skills, and growing in confidence as individuals and as creative artists.

Her recent ASD diagnosis has deepened her insight into her own autistic life and helped her to develop a greater understanding of some issues experienced by autistic individuals in terms of challenges, strengths and addressing stigma.

Patsy’s advocacy work over the last 30 years has focused on disabled people, supporting self-advocacy, and amplifying the voices of people. She advocates for equality and rights in both her personal and professional life, challenging negative attitudes and systematic inequalities in daily life, in the public arena and in her own neighbourhood.

Patsy is pleased to join this dynamic and creative organisation as a Voluntary Board Member (July 2021), and looks forward to supporting FRONTLINEdance to continue to grow and thrive. We look forward to all that Patsy can offer us, which is plentiful.

Suzanne studied at Brian Rogers ‘Performers’ Dance College, from the age of 16. She then spent the next 14 years dancing and performing on T.V. and in theatres around the country and aboard.

Whilst pregnant with her first child Suzanne was offered work at the Blackpool Pleasure Beach offices, dealing with promotion and working independently at Blackpool Airport.

After having a break to bring up her two children, FRONTLINEdance opened up a new career path for Suzanne; completing a Level 2 Business and Administration course, an Inclusive Activity training programme, a trio of Supportive Community, Safeguarding training workshops and Parkinson’s training with Dr Melanie Brierley.

Suzanne is now enjoying her 6th year as Administrator & Operations, and loves being part of the FRONTLINEdance Team!

Helen started dancing at the age of 3 doing ballet, jazz and tap but around the age of 12 found a real love of Contemporary dance and went on to graduate in 1997 from The Laban Centre for Movement and Dance (now Trinity Laban) with a degree in Dance Theatre with a special interest in education.

Over the last twenty plus years Helen has performed in theatre and site-specific performances with several companies including ‘Attic’ in Plymouth and Micha Purucker’s ‘Dance Energy’ in Germany, taught dance workshops in education and community settings for people 6 months to 100 years old, worked as a Community & Education Officer and qualified as a Body Control Pilates Instructor.

After re locating from the South to Staffordshire 15 years ago Helen has continued to work as a community dance artist and alongside her work in schools has been enjoying leading community dance classes for the over 60’s and has become involved with Arts for Health, teaching movement sessions for older adults with depression and/or dementia in a hospital setting.  Helen has also loved performing as a community dancer in 3 of ReStoke’s site specific performances, Palace (disused church), Expedition (promenade through streets) and Voyagers (disused swimming pool).

Helen became involved with FRONTLINEdance a couple of years ago and began leading some sessions for adult’s with neurological conditions.  She also performed in, ‘Nest’ a short dance film by Welly O’Brien and Kate Marsh which was commissioned by FRONTLINEdance as part of the FAF festival.

Helen is excited to be involved with FRONTLINEdance and is looking forward to sharing ideas and having a fresh focus to help inform the next 20 years as a Community Dance Artist!

When not dancing Helen is kept busy with her two children, loves running and also making clothes.  Over the recent pandemic whilst not being able to work fully Helen has been volunteering, collecting shopping and prescriptions for those isolating and helping at a vaccination centre.