Our team.

Amy Swalwell
CEO & Creative Director / Founder
she/her

Amy has over 15 years of experience as a producer and educator, working across contemporary and urban dance. She has worked for national dance, theatre and arts organisations, schools and universities, and is passionate about how the arts change lives, develop communities and challenge social inequalities. Amy founded TeesDance in 2021 with a belief that the Tees Valley needed its own joined-up dance infrastructure — locally rooted, care-led and built to last.

Emma Dyson

Participation & Engagement Lead
she/her

Emma is a producer and engagement manager, born and based in the Tees Valley. She has worked with organisations across the region, delivering creative engagement projects with people of all ages across a wide range of art forms. She joined TeesDance in 2026 as Participation & Engagement Manager. She loves creating chances for local people to take part in dance and movement that is accessible, creatively challenging, fun and sociable.

Naomi Graham

Marketing & Engagement Lead
she/her

Naomi has over 13 years of experience in communications, live events and creative programmes across the charity, corporate and creative sectors. She has led communications through major organisational change, produced large-scale events and delivered community engagement programmes with artists and partners. She cares most about place-based work rooted in culture, equality and social impact. As Marketing & Impact Lead, Naomi makes sure the people and stories behind TeesDance are seen, valued and understood.

Jess Storey

Social Media Coordinator
she/her

Jess has worked in social media for five years, telling stories through content and connecting with people online. She danced from a young age and has loved it ever since. She is passionate about how social media can bring communities together and shine a light on people and stories that might otherwise go unseen. As Social Media Coordinator, Jess brings her creativity, storytelling and love of dance together to share TeesDance's work.

Our Board of Trustees.

  • Anthony Lo-Giudice

    TRUSTEE

  • Louise Wilkin

    TRUSTEE

Our Steering Group.

We strive to ensure our work is responsive to the needs of the sector and our diverse and local communities. To do this, we have a Steering Group that provides guidance, advice, and support in delivering relevant and effective programmes whilst eliminating any barriers to engagement. .

  • Anthony Lo-Giudice

    Choreographer

    He/Him

  • Beth Fisher

    Director of Beth Fisher Academy

    She/Her

  • Debbie Harbin

    Artistic Director at The D Project Company. Providing Dance for Education and Communities

  • Emily Wratten

    Owner at Emily Wratten Fitness

  • Fiona Alderson

    Dance Teacher

    She/Her

  • Jennifer Essex

    Artistic Director at Fully Booked Theatre, Researcher, Choreographer, Performer, and Movement Director for Film and TV

    She/Her

  • Jenny Chrisp

    Dance Practitioner and Teacher

    She/Her

  • Lorraine Smith

    Performance Maker and Senior Lecturer in Media and Performance, Teesside University

    She/Her/They/Them

  • Patricia Suarez

    Movement Director

    She/Her

  • Stella Spencer

    Director at Night Light Theatre CIC

    She/Her

  • Zubaidah Moore

    Owner and Dance Practitioner at NE Motion

    She/Her