TRUSTEES
Chair
Elsa Urmston
Trustees
Lyann Kennedy
and
Cat Stiff
Elsa Urmston
Dr Elsa Urmston (she/her) is a UK-based independent dance educator and researcher with interests in vocational education, community practice, dance science, and the impact of arts participation. She completed her PhD in Education at the University of Exeter, focusing on the implications of periodisation for dance education. Elsa is an artist-in-residence at Copperdot Studio, Norwich and teaches at numerous Higher Education Institutions including London Contemporary Dance School, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and University of Chichester. She also consults on educational change, having written several dance HE degree programmes, and recently supported London Contemporary Dance School’s adoption of periodisation as part of their curriculum development. She continues to advise on the embedding of dance science education throughout their offer, whilst contributing to longitudinal research focussing on students’ health and wellbeing, and facilitating the teachers’ learning exchange programme at the School. In this role and beyond, Elsa mentors early-and mid-career dance artists, particularly those for whom teaching and dance education are part of their wider portfolio of work. Much of Elsa’s work is also as a researcher-evaluator, exploring dance participation and its impact on people’s lives from social, psychological and health perspectives with companies such as Made by Katie Green, English National Ballet and Dance Umbrella. She is currently evaluating the lasting impact of the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Cultural Champions programme. Previous leadership roles include serving as Chair of the Dance Educators’ Committee (IADMS), Expert Panel Member for One Dance UK Children and Young People programmes and External Examiner for national and international undergraduate and postgraduate dance programmes. She is currently Chair of Dance Network Association, a dance for health organisation based in Essex.
Email:
Board enquiries: elsa@dancenetworkassociation.org.uk
Personal: elsa.urmston@gmail.com
Twitter: @dancescigirl
Lyann Kennedy
​Lyann wanted to be involved with a dynamic and inspirational charity who, with a can-do attitude, are shaping the way dance and movement is seen into this new decade. She has been a consistent member of DNA since we opened in 2015 with various hats to her name, and now sits on the board.
Lyann has worked in community settings for over 18 years within housing, education & training and arts organisations, project managing & facilitating training programmes for socially excluded, unemployed and disabled people across East London and Essex.
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Never wanting to be on stage, Lyann was a founding member of Chain Reaction Youth & Community Theatre, producing and eventually performing in and choreographing many shows over 10 years. Knowing how much confidence the arts brought her personally, Lyann believes in bringing creativity to all, enabling everyone to develop and grow into their ambitions and dreams.
Away from work Lyann enjoys everything the outdoors has to offer, is often found walking, running or horse-riding out in the fresh air.
Cat Stiff
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Coming soon