Artistic Director

Ruth trained at Trinity Laban, and then qualified as a teacher from Brighton University. Ruth joined Springs as a dancer in 1997, and was appointed Artistic Director in 2003. She has also danced for Marina Collard and Suzannah West Dance Company. Ruth has taught extensively in schools, colleges and universities. Since becoming director for Springs Dance Company she has co-choreographed several works for the company including Waterbugs and Dragonflies, Journey of the Magi, Credo, Cargo and Passage.

Company Manager and Teacher

Eliza began dancing at the Janet Hegarty School of Ballet, before moving to London to complete the Springs Apprenticeship Scheme in 2010. During her time as an Apprentice, Eliza successfully auditioned for the BA (Hons) at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance where she went on to train for 3 years. Following graduating in 2014, she worked as an Administration Assistant at Chisenhale Dance Space, then returned to Springs in the role of Company Administrator in March 2015, before becoming Company Manager in February 2017. Alongside her office role, Eliza also teaches on the Springs education progamme in schools and works as a facilitator at Magpie Dance, assisting in classes for people with learning disabilities.

Company and Elevate Administrator

Penelope began her dance journey as a student and assistant of Paulette Harwood in Newton, USA. She went on to earn her BSc (Hons) in Dance Administration at Wagner College in New York. Throughout her degree programme, she held administrative internships at Pentacle, Bryn Cohn + Artists, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Alvin Ailey, and New York City Center. Curious about dance in all its forms, Penelope has trained in a wide array of dance styles internationally and is currently studying a MA in Dance Anthropology at the University of Roehampton. She is passionate about community engagement in dance and is thrilled to have joined Springs Dance Company as the Company and Elevate Administrator for 2018.

Finance Administrator

Becky studied Maths & Business Studies at Warwick University before training as a Chartered Accountant. Whilst studying she prepared accounts and audited many charities and small companies. After qualifying she worked for a global engineering company as part of their finance team. Becky took a career break to care for her three children but, once they were older, was keen to find a place where her finance skills could be put to good use. The opportunity to work for Springs as their financial administrator was ideal! Whilst not a dancer, Becky is enthusiastic about the work that Springs does, and delighted that she can play a supporting role. Becky is also an active member of her local church, serving as a Bible study leader and as part of the music team.

Tour Booker

Rebecca danced professionally on cruise liners and overseas, travelling to Greece, Germany, Denmark and Norway. Following on from this, she undertook a degree course in Performing Arts at North Hertfordshire University, gaining an HND, before transferring to Middlesex University to specialise in Dance Studies, where she gained a 2:1 BA Hons. Rebecca has taught dance in schools and for the community, and worked as an Assistant at The Place Artist Development, London, as Programme Manager at essexdance, and as a Creative Agent for the Royal Opera House Creative Partnerships. Rebecca began working for Springs Dance Company in 2008.

Dancer and Teacher

Katie graduated from Laban with a First Class BA (Hons) in 2013. at the University of Chichester, touring internationally with MAP Dance performing works by Kerry Nichols, Gary Clarke, Yael Flexer, Liz Agiss and Hagit Bar. Katie has been a company dancer for Springs Dance Company since 2016 and has also performed with Autin Dance Theatre touring A Positive Life, Here We Are Dance as part of the Birmingham International Dance Festival, The Natashas Project, Dance Equation and at Sensibility Festival with InterACTION. Katie is also passionate about inclusive arts and is a facilitator for Open Theatre Company delivering non-verbal physical theatre sessions for young people with learning disabilities.

Dancer and Teacher

Naomi trained at L'Ecole du Ballet du Nord and Central School of Ballet and has danced with companies such as DV8, Maiden Voyage Dance Company, the Royal Opera and Springs Dance Company. Naomi joined Springs in 2007 and became Assistant Director in 2010 until 2017. Since 2012 Naomi has also worked as Rehearsal Director for Maiden Voyage Dance Company in Belfast, including with choreographers Suzannah McCreight, Dylan Quinn, Enrique Carbrera and Luke Murphy. Naomi enjoyed a fruitful year of mentoring with Louise Jeffreys, Director of Programming at the Barbican, as part of Dance UK's Dancers’ Mentoring Scheme 2012-13. Naomi teaches ballet and contemporary as a freelance artist and has in the past taught for Central School of Ballet, London Studio Centre, Laban, London Borough Councils, Artis Specialists, Help the Aged and many more. Naomi moved to Brussels in Summer 2017 and will share her time between discovering dance in Belgium and projects in the UK and elsewhere.

Dancer and Teacher

Emily trained at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, where she had the opportunity to work with Christopher Bruce and Robert Cohan. After graduating in 2015 with a First Class Honours degree, Emily joined Springs Dance Company as a dancer in their Christmas tour, Journey of the Magi. Since then she has also enjoyed teaching workshops in schools and churches with the company and performing in The Magic Paintbrush. Emily has also worked with English National Opera in their production of Madam Butterfly. As well as performing, Emily enjoys teaching dance, church youth work and travelling.

Dancer and Teacher

Daniel trained in mime at Mimeistry International and then toured with Mimeistry for three years before founding Ambassador Arts, encompassing mime, dance, storytelling, ventriloquism, and fire spinning.  He danced with Ad Deum Dance Company, Houston TX, from 2009-2013, and performed in prelude to Dance Houston, Alvin Ailey Company, Mark Morris Dance Company, performed in First Night, Project Dance London, and the Big E. He has taught for the Houston Ballet Outreach Program, the Alley Theatre, and Society for Performing Arts. He now directs Infusion Physical Theatre in Cambridge, England alongside his wife Melanie.

Dancer

Steve graduated from London Contemporary Dance School in 2007. As a professional dancer he has and continues to work with world-class companies such as the Royal Opera House, English National Opera and Glyndebourne. Steve has also performed in the Toyota advert Better Together and shot a promo film through the company StinkDigital. Steve is a choreographer, teacher, rehearsal director, technician and composer, and the Artistic Director of Off The Map Dance Company creating opportunities in the South West through live performances and workshops.

Teacher

Hannah graduated from London Contemporary Dance School in 2014. During her time there she was awarded the Charlotte Kirkpatrick Award and The Principals Award for outstanding achievement. After graduating, Hannah became a member of JV2's professional development programme. As well as dancing with Springs, Hannah has also recently worked with Stopgap Dance Company and is currently working with both Casson and Friends and Off The Map Dance Company. Previous to this, Hannah has also worked with Full House Theatre Company, Jasmin Vardimon, Mafalda Deville, Athanasia Kanelloulou and Marilena Dara. As well as performing Hannah has a huge love of teaching and choreographing, particularly in youth groups and schools. She has her own inclusive dance group based in Kent, through Stopgap's IRIS syllabus, and is excited to continue developing this area of dance in her region.

Dancer

Kuan-Yu Chen is a dancer, choreographer, director, and teacher from Taiwan. Her performance work and her teaching are both influenced by modern/contemporary, contact improvisation, Alexander Technique, and Body-Mind Centering. Kuan received her BFA in dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the United States. She has performed internationally and worked with a number of choreographers in Taiwan, the United States, Hong Kong, Canada, the Philippines, Japan, Spain, and the United Kingdom. She is a co-founder of Tipsy Point Projects (USA) and DanceOutHK (Hong Kong). Kuan is a freelance dance artist based in London where she presented her work at Resolution 2017 and Wandsworth Arts Fringe 2018, danced with Royal Opera House, taught at Chisenhale Dance Space, Springs Dance Company, and Goldsmiths. She is the artistic director and the founder of Intoon Dance.

Dancer

Charles studied dance at the Rambert School. After he graduated in 2005, he worked as a freelance dancer for Fleur Darkin, Susie Crow, Will Tucket and Lucy Burge. He has worked internationally in Barcelona with Cesc Gelabert and in Germany at Staattheater Braunschweig under the direction of Jan Pusch. As a Choreographer, he has created works in Barcelona, Scotland and Germany. In Barcelona, he was commissioned to create two solos for the opening of Pitlochry Tartan in Scotland, ‘Spirt of the Salmon’ and ‘Pursuit of the Stag’. At Staatstheatre Braunschweig, he created two works which were part of Young Choreographers nights called ‘Witch Way Macbeth?’ and ‘Content’. In 2016, Charles was commissioned to create a children’s piece: ‘The Spirt Bird’ by the LOT Theatre Braunschweig, and in 2017 he created ‘Finding Now’ that was co-produced by the LOT theatre and supported by the City of Braunschweig. 

Teacher

Charlotte began her dancing in Botswana, and on returning to England continued her training at the Royal Ballet School as a Senior Associate. Charlotte then went into full time training at Central School of Ballet, touring with Ballet Central as part of her final year. Before joining Springs, Charlotte completed a Postgraduate Diploma through an apprenticeship with Phoenix Dance Theatre working with Javier De Frutos and Henrique Rodavalho. Charlotte worked as a dancer with Springs for 8 years, and has since continued teaching on Springs’ training courses and in their schools workshops.

Teacher

Maggie trained at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and toured with London Contemporary's EDge. Maggie has performed, choreographed and taught with numerous companies including Candoco, Union Dance, Anhng Dance, Sinman Dance Company, Rashpal Singh Bansal, The King and I, Chinese Culture Centre and Sakoba Dance Theatre. She has worked with choreographers including Javier De Frutos, Paul Old and Athina Vahla. Maggie performed as a dancer with Springs for 7 years, and has since continued teaching on Springs’ training courses.

Teacher

Victoria completed the Pre-Professional Foundation Year at Bird College in Dance and Theatre studies in 2014 before taking a gap year. Victoria then joined Elevate Dance Company 2015-16 where she developed her teaching skills. Since then, she has joined Springs Dance Company, enjoying teaching in schools and churches as well as working in the office to market the Elevate courses. She has begun teaching her own classes in her home church, suitable for a variety of ages to encourage and build confidence, alongside studying for BEd in Primary Teaching at Hertfordshire university. 

Teacher

Sarah works professionally as a contemporary and Lindy Hop dance artist, performing and teaching in the UK and internationally. She trained at TrinityLaban, Lewisham College and Elite Jazz, and has worked with a wide range of companies, choreographers and artists including: Nutshell Dance, producers O’Neill/Ross, the London Contemporary Orchestra, Joon Dance, SKADooSH Dance, Grounded Movement, Supple Nam and Arthur Pita. Sarah danced as a professional artist in the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony and performed under the direction of Jake Nava on film as part of the 2016 Guinness commercial entitled John Hammond: Intolerant Champion. Currently Sarah is performing with The Lindy Hop Dance Company in a national tour of Swinging with the Cotton Club, and is a member of The Dinahs, a multi-award winning performance and competition troupe. Sarah has been teaching with Springs Dance Company since 2015.

Teacher

Claire trained at NSCD and The Place. She has extensive professional experience dancing at the Royal Opera House, 'The Snowman' West End (Sadler’s Wells), and Loop Dance Co. Choreographers worked with include Aletta Collins, Fin Walker, Joss Arnott, James Wilton, Siobhan Davis and Trisha Brown.  She has taught for Richard Alston, RAD, The Place, CADT, Birmingham Dance Network, Dancexchange, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and Kingston University. Claire worked for seven years as a dancer with Springs, and has since continued teaching for their education department. Her next adventure, The 'School Of Theatre Excellence' Birmingham, as the acting Head of Dance. As well as teaching Contemporary workshops at Elmhurst School of Ballet, Claire also has plans to start creating her own work.