Elaine Bennett,
Dance Development Worker

Trained at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance and The Cheshire School of Dance and Drama.

After finishing her training in the UK she spent one year in Australia, furthering her training at The Wharf - home to the Sydney Dance Company. She then worked on many productions, including opening of The Diva Awards at Star City, Charity Dance performance at The Sydney Opera House, Sydney Mardi Gras 1999 and with Catherine Macgill Dance Company.

Elaine had a break from dance and took time out to travel Asia. On returning she decide to take her apprentice 'Community Dance Practitioner' at Rubicon Dance Cardiff. Continuing she worked as a freelance Dance Practitioner in Newport and Cardiff.

June Campbell-Davies

June Campbell-Davies is a Cardiff based professional dancer/choreographer/facilator and has been involved in many community, school and professional projects throughout Wales over a number of years. June works with us on a range of freelance projects including the Being Small dance and Film project in 2007 and performing on stage as part of our Community Dance night 2007.

Paula Gray

Paula studied Community Dance at Liverpool Community College and Middlesex University. After finishing her study Paula went on to do a Community Dance apprenticeship at Rubicon Dance in Cardiff to gain 'hands on practical' experience. From that she went on to work as a freelance dance worker in the Vale of Glamorgan and Rhondda Cynon Taff Community Arts. Alongside this she has worked as a Family Health Worker for Sure Start targeting the health and welfare of 0-4 year olds. After taking some time out to focus on being a mum to her two young babies Paula is now embracing her new role as Dance Development Worker for Valley and Vale.

"Becoming a Dance Development Worker for Valley and Vale Community Arts is an exciting time for me. It is a job I have aspired to for a long time and a fantastic opportunity to work alongside other Community Artists in our team. Just as I started the team had been working hard on the Tondu Project, working towards a huge performance at the Iron Works. I was lucky enough to become involved at the last minute which meant that not only was able to work with all the team immediately and see their amazing work but I also got to perform a dance alongside the local participants - that's got to be the best introduction to a new job anyone can have!"

Saydi Williams,
Dance Development Worker

Trained at London Contemporary Dance School, Dance City (Newcastle), Coventry College the Performing Arts and London College of Beauty Therapy.

Saydi then went on to work in a variety of jobs in the arts including the Phoenix Theatre (West End), Westminster Kingsway College, Scotts Project for adults with learning difficulties, Magpie Dance Company, Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival USA and Co-Director of the Booming Cherries Dance Partnership.

She has more recently worked alongside TAN Dance as a Dance Practitioner providing community dance workshops in the Swansea area.

Saydi is also a qualified holistic massage therapist.

Barney

Barney the dog is a valued member of the dance development team and spends most of his day practicing his stretches and keeping his eye on the ball.