Our Team
The work of DanceEast is made possible by a powerful team of dance enthusiasts, driven by a belief in the joy and personal benefit that dance can bring. Meet the team below:
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CEO
Brendan Keaney OBE
I arrived in Ipswich to join DanceEast in March 2013. I have always worked in dance and started, as a dancer, back in 1979 when there was virtually no dance dedicated infrastructure. Consequently, the Jerwood DanceHouse is a fantastic example of just how much has changed since then. It, therefore, feels like a particularly special privilege to be leading such a fantastic organisation and working in a building, that I could have only imagined, when I started my career.
COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
Bryony Hope
HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT
As Head of Communications and Development I am responsible for inspiring people to support DanceEast, and for developing our audiences. I previously worked with museums, galleries and arts centres across Hampshire. While I have no background in dance, I believe it can be transformative for people of all ages and backgrounds. I am excited by the range of DanceEast’s work, from community projects to outstanding performances at the Jerwood DanceHouse. It is a privilege to work for this fantastic organisation.
Jemma Howard
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Dance has been part of my life since I was 8 years old, so I was excited when the opportunity to progress in my career became available at DanceEast. I am looking forward to using my skills to get the word out about the opportunities available at DanceEast for people in the East of England. As well as dancing, I enjoy hiking, reading and spending as much time outdoors as I can.
Amy Falla
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
DanceEast has always had a place in my heart, from going to dance classes when I was a child, to getting involved most recently with the Hullabaloo22 youth takeover project. Consequently, I worked for Sadler’s Wells as a Campaign Marketing Apprentice in 2019. After working in London, I am keen to develop my career locally working in the arts, as I feel passionately about developing the creative arts scene here in Ipswich. I co-founded and run Young Artists in Suffolk, a youth arts platform with the aim to showcase and connect creatives in the local area. I am excited to be working at DanceEast within a likeminded team, passionate about making dance and the arts accessible to everyone!
CREATIVE TEAM
Lucy Bayliss
HEAD OF CREATIVE PROGRAMMES
She/Her
I’ve worked in a number of roles with DanceEast – there’s always more to learn and more to give and no two days are the same, which I love. I feel lucky to work with such a brilliant team and in the beautiful Jerwood DanceHouse, which I remember being built. I try and use my time here to share these resources with artists, young people and communities in the hope that they will also find something rewarding about great dance.
Lucie Mirkova
ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE
She/Her
I’ve worked in dance and performance for over twenty years in many roles from Creative Practitioner to Arts Manager and Curator. I joined the team at DanceEast in 2023 after ten years at DanceXchange, Birmingham, where I led the Performance and Artist Development programme. I am passionate about connecting people with transformative performance experience both in theatre and public spaces, and supporting artists in their creative practice. I enjoy reading, yoga, long walks amongst nature and my newfound hobby of silversmithing!
Tom Bowes
PRODUCER FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
He/him
I studied at the University of Roehampton and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance (Transitions Dance Company). Relocated to Ipswich, I previously worked at Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds, Fylde Coast Youth Dance Company in Blackpool and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance in London. I feel very privileged to manage the fantastic Centre for Advanced Training, I am delighted to be a part of the wonderful team here at DanceEast!
Read moreNoora Kela
CENTRE FOR ADVANCED TRAINING OFFICER
She/They
My career started with graduating from London Contemporary Dance School with 1st Class Honors. Since 2003, I have worked with many UK and European choreographers. I have had a longstanding relationship with the Henri Oguike Dance and Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, where I was given the chance to broaden my knowledge of dance through educational outreach work, workshop planning, mentoring, and rehearsal directing for companies.
My outreach education covers amateurs, professionals, and anything in between; my passion for sharing the joy and creativity of movement has made it possible to tailor activities to suit all participants.
I retired from performing in 2021, which initiated a desire to use my skills in other areas of dance to help others realise and achieve their full potential in the creative world. I am undertaking a BA Honors study in Art and Culture Management in HUMAK University of Applied Sciences, which is due to be completed in June 2026.
Abi Marrison
DIGITAL PRIMARIES PROGRAMME MANAGER
She/Her
DanceEast is where, in 2016, I spent my first day out of the classroom and into the cultural sector (and I have always felt so welcome!). I worked for 10 years as a primary school teacher, mostly early years, and then joined one of Arts Council England’s 10 Bridge organisations; Festival Bridge. As Education Programme Manager, I often delivered Artsmark training to schools from the Jerwood DanceHouse. I joined the team part-time in March 2024 alongside my role as Schools Lead at Music Mark.
Sophie O'Connor
PRODUCER FOR CREATIVE HEALTH AND COMMUNITIES
She/Her
Dance was a huge part of my childhood. I studied Performing Arts and Psychology at Winchester University and over the last 10 years have worked in Arts Development for local government and managed a Community & Education programme for commercial theatres, but soon found myself drawn back into dance and combining all the things I love as a Producer here at DanceEast, developing programmes and projects that make a difference to our communities and spreading the joy of dance!
Daisy Wyatt
PROGRAMME MANAGER
She/Her
Originally from Norwich, I began training at the Anglia Region Theatre School. Later, focussing specifically on contemporary dance and earning a First-Class Honours degree from the University of Lincoln. During my studies, I worked with choreographers and companies such as Nori Aoki, Verve and James Wilton Company, and developed skills in screen dance, digital technology and site-specific work. Most recently, I worked with the DanceEast CAT, coordinating activity and supporting the development of young dancers, while also teaching as a freelance community artist. I am now the Programme Manager at DanceEast, where I oversee classes, workshops and other exciting activities.
Hayley Lemon
PROGRAMME COORDINATOR
I studied Dance at the University of Bedfordshire from 2014-2017, where I then stayed for another year to complete my Masters. Graduating in 2018, I began working across Essex, Suffolk and Bedfordshire as a freelance artist, working with various people from all ages and abilities, which I have continued to do for the past 6 years. I started teaching at DanceEast in 2019 and have been teaching here ever since. I thoroughly enjoy being at DanceEast due to the welcoming atmosphere, wonderful people, and fantastic building. I am thrilled to be working here full time from June 2024.
Katie Byford
PROGRAMME COORDINATOR
She/They
Since graduating from the University of Lincoln with a Bachelor’s Honours and Master’s degree in dance, I have been touring Europe as part of the People Power Partnership (PPP) dance-theatre project.
I am thrilled to reconnect with DanceEast and the local community, to continue promoting accessibility and inclusivity in dance.
OPERATIONS
Bill Armitage
HEAD OF OPERATIONS & RESOURCES
I joined DanceEast in 2011, having worked in a number of multi-arts venues for over 20 years. Having a passion for contemporary dance I was drawn from Scotland to Ipswich by the opportunity to work in this incredible building. In my role, no two days are the same, given the variety of work we do, both in and outside the DanceHouse.
Helen Wright
FINANCE & ADMIN OFFICER
I joined DanceEast in October 2007 as a Front of House Assistant working primarily in the evening. I then combined this role with working as the finance assistant when I had a career change in 2009. I remember when the Jerwood Dance House was a building site and have had some memorable times working here. I am now the Finance & Admin Officer. I love watching dance and all theatre and try and see as many shows as possible.
Tanya Smith
SALES & ADMIN ASSISTANT | FINANCE ASSISTANT
I joined DanceEast in 2007 as a Front of House Assistant, so get to meet everyone whether attending a class, watching a performance, or performing. I also now work part time as Finance Assistant which gives a contrast to meeting people. I am delighted to be part of the wonderful team here at DanceEast!
Greg Turbyne
TECHNICAL MANAGER
Having worked across a diverse range of contemporary performance and academic projects over the past thirty years, joining DanceEast in 2019 takes me, to some extent, full circle as my career in performance technology and lighting design started at Dundee Rep where I enjoyed my first design commissions with the resident dance company. My key interests are Performance Studies, democratisation of technology and design across all disciplines.
Conor Farthing
TECHNICIAN
After graduating from UCC Colchester with a degree in technical theatre studies I’ve fulfilled most technical roles in a theatre environment and have also freelanced around Essex and Suffolk as a Sound and Lighting Production Technician. I’ve worked in all styles of live events from music, live art, dance and corporate. I’m always keen to play with the most modern technologies and give the best quality technical production possible and DanceEast gives me that opportunity.
Derek Gash
CARETAKER
My main interests are Genealogy, I have a large family tree and daily add more. Also, I aim to do some metal detecting soon. I love history and like to visit historical buildings and landmarks both here and abroad.
Adrian Theobald
CARETAKER
I was born, and have lived, in Ipswich all my life. I enjoy dancing salsa and ballroom socially, going on dance holidays, and have also performed in the past. Before joining DanceEast, my working life was spent in IT, more recently in software consultancy, support, training, and project management.
SALES AND ADMIN
Lizzie Hawes
SALES & VENUE MANAGER (on Maternity Leave)
I love dance! I love to experience dance, to teach, to facilitate and to encourage everyone to give it a try! Working as Venue and Sales Manager at the Box Office brings me so much joy as I love welcoming everyone to the DanceHouse, knowing that they will have the opportunity to experience dance for themselves. I also work in the community teaching dance/creative movement to young children and their families.
Joe Keeley
SALES & VENUE SUPERVISOR
He/Him
I joined DanceEast in 2021 after three years working as a session musician. I previously achieved a Level 3 Diploma in Digital Marketing and Social Media Management which gave me the skills to promote myself and my music enough that I could call it my full-time profession. Now taking up this new role at DanceEast, I work with lots of different and creative minded people whilst also playing and creating music in my spare time.
Claire Glover
SALES & ADMIN ASSISTANT
I have loved the theatre and have danced from a young age, so thoroughly enjoy working at DanceEast. It’s great to meet so many different people whether they are here to participate in a class, watch a performance, or perform.
Maisy Ritchie
SALES & ADMIN ASSISTANT
I started dancing from a young age and have danced all my life. My training in contemporary dance started here at DanceEast in Suffolk Juniors before studying dance at The University of Suffolk, graduating with a First Class Honours. I joined DanceEast in 2021 and really enjoy working on the Sales & Admin team as I get to meet a lot of different people who share an interest in creative industry. I am also a freelance dance artist and have worked on various projects across Suffolk and Essex.
Jo Salcombe
SALES & ADMIN ASSISTANT
He/Him
I joined DanceEast in 2023. I’m local to Ipswich and have worked in a variety of jobs ranging from car sales to bar management. I have had the pleasure of being part of several dance shows thanks to my partner, Rosy, which has been great fun and has given me an insight into the world of a professional dance artist.
I am also a self-employed Social Media Manager, working with some amazing companies and brands to help develop & maintain their online presence. Alongside this, I’m a Content Creator, focussing on livestreaming and video creation. I really enjoy the creative freedom that comes with this, crafting video content from its initial inception all the way through to editing and marketing.
Isabella Grieco
SALES & ADMIN ASSISTANT
She/They
I have a background in Film, TV, and writing, but I also danced for many years. Born and raised in Ipswich, I love all things local! I’ve worked with the Wolsey 550 project, Norfolk and Norwich Festival, SPILL Festival and I’m thrilled to now work at DanceEast. I’m involved in numerous community groups, running events with organisations such as Led Creatives and Young Artists In Suffolk, as well as contributing to Community Hub Ipswich’s Youth Council. I’m a committee member of the Ipswich Film Society, based out of King Street Cinema where I have also previously worked.
Jess Sharman
SALES & ADMIN ASSISTANT
She/Her
I started dancing in my final years of primary school, studying a variety of styles, from ballet and tap, to being self taught in Hip Hop. I’ve had the pleasure of performing in a wide range of venues across England, including the Royal Albert Hall.
Being a creative person, working at DanceEast gives me the opportunity to interact with professional dance artists and those completely new to dance, hearing their stories and watching their ideas come to life in the studio and on stage.
Julia Dajani
SALES & ADMIN ASSISTANT
She/Her
Since starting dance, I have immersed myself in various styles, specialising in Contemporary and Classical Ballet. My passion for Contemporary Dance began when I started my training at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance on the CAT scheme. I continued my training at Trinity Laban studying Contemporary Dance, achieving a First-Class Honours Degree as well as a Distinction in my Masters in Advanced Dance Performance at Dance City.
Studying dance gave me the chance to expand my skills, further my technique and instilled a deep appreciation for the art form and it’s potential to inspire and connect. This is something I love to share with others and will continue to do so through my teaching and creative work. My passion for dance, teaching and customer service has led me to DanceEast and I am so excited to be part of the team, welcoming you all to the DanceHouse!
