Name: Anna Daly
Position: Ludus Dance Community Dance Artist
ANNA DALY, who is originally from the South of England, trained at Surrey University, where she gained an Honours Degree in Dance Studies with Drama and Theatre. During her studies, Anna undertook an internship at Goucher College in Baltimore, USA and qualified to teach Cecchetti Ballet. After graduating, she worked in London for a variety of companies, including Breaking Boundaries Dance Company and Adventures in Motion Pictures. Anna joined Ludus as a community dance artist in 2000.
For the last two years Anna has been the company’s Senior Community Dance Artist, taking responsibility for the training of new company members and mentoring placement students and beginning to facilitate community dance training for local freelance artists. During her time at Ludus Anna has worked with a huge variety of groups and particularly specialises in Early Years work.
Anna has travelled abroad with some recent Ludus projects; to the USA presenting at a Community/Performance conference and to both Athens and Switzerland working in partnership with The British Council.
Name: Andrea Frisch
Position: Ludus Dance Community Dance Artist
Andrea joined the Ludus team after working as Dance Development Officer for Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough Council. Before this she completed the Foundation Course at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and then studied for a Professional Diploma in Community Dance at the Laban Centre London. Before joining the dance world Andrea studied to be a P.E teacher in Uruguay . She enjoys working in such a lively environment.
Name: Hannah Robertshaw
Position: Project Co-ordinator and Community Dance Artist
Originally from Sheffield, Hannah began dancing at the age of 5 and studied ballet, jazz and contemporary. She then moved to Cambridgeshire where she continued her training and schooling until leaving to study dance and theatre arts at Birmingham University.
Hannah has gained experience as both a performer and a choreographer. Hannah specializes in creating original contemporary dance on both her community groups and professionals and enjoys writing reviews on dance performances.
Hannah joined the Ludus Dance team in 2002 and has since gone on to choreograph work and manage the Ludus Youth Dance Company. Hannah has been involved in many exciting projects since working at Ludus Dance, including visiting Athens in 2004 and 2006 to deliver workshops for the Greek Council for Refugees and lead workshops at the ‘Inside Out’ Conference for inclusion in the arts. Hannah also made a series of short dance films in 2005/6 and is keen to continue exploring dance on film.
Hannah’s favorite dance companies include DV8 and Jasmin Vardarmon because she enjoys high energy dance theatre. Hannah’s latest work ‘Shamed’ for the Ludus Youth Dance Company was selected by Youth Dance England to be performed at the National Youth Dance Festival in July 2006.
Name: Sian Edwards-Davies
Position: Freelance Dance Tutor
My love of dance started at the end of 1989 having been totally inspired by a performance from Egyptian dancer Suraya Hilal. I signed up for a workshop and never stopped!
I began to teach part-time in 1993 and on a full time basis from 1994 and have been working at Ludus for 8 years I also lead regular classes for the University of Manchester and Warrington Pyramid. and sessions with asylum seekers,older people, the Probation Service special needs groups, schoolchildren and nursery classes.
As a solo performer I have appeared at weddings and parties in Cairo and the UK, as well as at the British Museum, Manchester Museum, Manchester Free trade Hall, Manchester Opera House, Romiley Forum, Thornton Little Theatre and BBC television and radio (honestly), ITV and Channel 4
In the performance group NOMAD I am able to approach the dance experimentally. Amongst our successes are the University of Manchester, Gregson Centre, Manchester's International Dance Festival "Urban Moves", for members of the Chinese community in Morecambe and Manchester, HIV fundraisers and Heavy Metal nights.
I have visited the Middle East on a number of occasions and have performed regularly with Middle Eastern musicians, Celtic musicians and a Bhangara Band.
Name: Alysia Gilda
Position: Freelance Dance Tutor
Alysia began dancing as a youngster and appeared in dance and drama productions at school and dance school as well as appearing in a summer season at the Tower Children Show in Blackpool. She attended the Bush Davies School in East Grinstead and gained associateship in Ballet and Stage, passed R.A.D and gained and is a fellow of the I.D.T.A. Alysia is now the principal of her own school and has taught dance since 1977. She came to Ludus fifteen years ago and currently teaches Ballet at the Centre.
Alysia previously worked at the Elliot-Clarke School, has done Stroke Rehabilitation at Luneside and has worked with people with Special Needs for Lancaster and Morecambe Leisure Services. She is also an active member of the Lune Valley Keep Fit Association, leading rallies and producing adult and youth keep fit and movement demonstrations. Alysia says that she enjoys the atmosphere here at Ludus and feels that adults are very rewarding to teach.
Name: Jane Hackett
Position Held: Freelance Dance Tutor
Welsh-born Jane began her dancing career at the tender age of four, taking part in ballet and character dance classes. Completing a BA in Performing Arts (majoring in dance), here in Lancaster at St. Martin’s College. Jane has worked with various choreographers including, Jeremy James, Bullies Ballerinas, Mashango and RJC. She also has a teaching certificate from Kendal College and a BTEC in Performing Arts from Preston College.
As a freelance teacher, Jane teaches the dance classes: Early Risers, The Breakfast Club and, the Brunch Bunch here at Ludus Dance. She also visits Primary Schools and delivers dance in education sessions for Foundation, KS1 and KS2. Fortunately, Jane loves working with children and enjoys the atmosphere, teamwork and helpful nature at Ludus Dance.
Name: Chris Sherlock
Position Held: Freelance Dance Tutor
Chris teaches weekly dance classes in Lindy Hop at Ludus Dance. Chris's dance classes are fun and informal and a typical session consists of both solo "jazz steps" work and partnered dancing.
A former member of the Lindy Circle performance group, Chris enjoys many forms of swing dance and teaches classes and workshops in Lindy Hop, Charleston, and modern jive across the country.