Meet The Team

TeesDance was founded by Amy Swalwell in September 2021. Amy has a passion and vision for the future; to deliver high-quality, consistent dance provision for the Tees Valley communities. She also strongly believes in providing progression routes for young people and improving the conditions for local artists to help them thrive.

Amy Swalwell

she/her

Director & Founder

Amy has over 10 years of experience as a producer and educator.

Training in both contemporary and urban dance styles, Amy has worked for a variety of national dance, theatre and art organisations as well as schools and universities.

Amy is passionate about how the arts play a vital role in changing people’s lives, developing communities and challenging social inequalities.

Contact: [email protected]

Aaron is our Senior Producer working across various projects including our MoveAhead commissions and our large-scale mass participation project: HOME.

Contact: [email protected]

Aaron Bowman

him/they

Senior Producer (freelance)

Carmel from Base Camp Industries delivers our communication and marketing across several projects.

Contact: [email protected]

Carmel Ramsey

she/her

Marketing Manager (freelance)

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. .

Meet the Steering Group

  • 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