KEYNA PAUL – Director of Lincolnshire Dance

A trained dancer Keyna has played a key role in the development of dance within community and education settings for over twenty years at both grass-roots and national levels as a practitioner and consultant.  Throughout her career, she has contributed to publications and conferences, speaking and writing on topics such as dance education, training community dance practitioners and developing dance in rural communities.

Keyna has written a number of teaching resources including the popular NON-SPECIALIST'S DANCE SURVIAL PACK  for those teaching at Foundation, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two.  She has devised and delivered training programmes for teachers and artists, her innovative system to implement the NVQ level 3 programme 'Art Form Development and Teaching' won the ESF award for ‘Best Trainer’ 2003 – 2005.

In 2004 – 2006, Keyna was seconded to lead on the development of Dance Links, part of DCMS/DfES PESSCL strategy leading on writing and disseminating Dance Links – A guide to delivering high quality dance for children and young people,subsequently she worked closely with the NDTA to devise and deliver the Making Links training programme, which is now delivered as part of the national YDE programme.

She has served on the boards of several regional and national organisations, the most notable example of this is her work with the Executive Committee of Foundation for Community Dance, where she was elected to the posts of vice-chair and chair. She is presently chair of Junction Arts.

Keyna is responsible for the vision and development of Lincolnshire Dance, leading to more chances for everyone in Lincolnshire to watch and take part in dance.  She has continued to study throughout her career, gaining postgraduate qualifications in dance and mentoring from the universities of Surrey and Leeds Metropolitan respectively.

CAROLINE SNAITH - Finance Officer

Caroline began her career in 'The Youth Training Scheme' at Lincolnshire Police HQ where she developed a range of skills working as part of a team and under her own initiative. Subsequently she undertook a range of roles in local businesses predominantly within a finance environment, having spent a number of years working as a credit controller.

Caroline has a number of qualifications including business administration and an Institute of Credit Management (ICM) foundation certificate.

Alongside her finance role at Lincolnshire Dance, Caroline regularly assists other members of the team with event co-ordination and has recently become a Dance Buddy as part of the Dance4Life programme. She is also a keen dancer and takes part in Zumba and Bollywood community dance sessions.

REBECCA HOUGHTON - Communications Officer

After graduating from The University of Sunderland in 2010 with a degree in Public Relations and English Studies, Rebecca has undertaken voluntary roles in a large comprehensive school as well as a large children's charity, both based in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

In February 2011 she started work at Lincolnshire Dance as part of the future jobs fund team. This initiative funded by the Department of Works and Pensions enabled the organisation to offer contracts to unemployed young people, Rebecca's current post followed from her initial contract. The aim of the project was to provide people with an opportunity for 6 months to learn and develop their skills within a third sector arts charity.

Rebecca is the Communications Officer for Lincolnshire Dance. Following her role as a lettings and property management coordinator, she has developed an aptitude in dealing with internal and external stakeholders as well as forming working relationships with other individuals and organisations. Rebecca has now applied her experience to working as a support to the Director, the programme coordinators and those affiliated with the Lincolnshire Dance. Since beginning the role in August 2011 she has had a hand in media relations, event planning, assisting with programme coordination and runs Lincolnshire Dance's website, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube accounts. Since she came into post, Rebecca has enjoyed taking part in dance taster classes and also regularly attends Zumba sessions.

GARY CICINSKAS -Dance4Life Co-ordinator

Gary completed an Open College Network (OCN) access to Higher Education qualification whilst working vocationally in drama with Youth Arts Leicestershire (YAL). Initially as a participant and then as a youth theatre leader with Y.A.L. Gary performed for several years at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival & also participated in two youth theatre exchange programmes, one to America and one to France.

Gary continued to pursue his love of the arts by studying for a degree in Performing Arts at Southampton University. He has worked as a theatre technician and youth theatre leader at the, sadly now closed, Tower Arts Centre in Hampshire. Gary was also successful in gaining Princes Trust Start Up Business Funding to launch his own arts based enterprise in 2006. Gary is now the Dance 4 Life Coordinator and looks forwards to running a challenging and highly rewarding project with the team at Lincolnshire Dance.

ALEX LAW – Dance4Life Apprentice

Alex is a Graduate from the University of Lincoln with a BA (Hons) in Dance where she studied theoretical and historical aspects as well as the practical and creative areas of technique, choreography, production and teaching. Alex started dancing at the age of two and a half and has performed at various acclaimed theatres including Blackpool Opera House, The London Palladium, Her Majesty’s Theatre London, Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the Coliseum London.

Whilst still at University Alex began to establish herself within the dance community in Lincolnshire and has taken part in professional workshops, performances and site specific pieces with national companies including Retina Dance Company, Made by Katie Green, Angela Woodhouse and Tavaziva Dance. As well as Lincolnshire Dance she has worked with local artist Nikki Mclusky, the Lisa Hurst Dance Company, and Arts NK. Alex is trained in various dance forms including Contemporary, Modern, Tap, Ballet, Mime, Jazz, Street Dance, Acrobatics, Cheerleading, Zumba and Zumba Gold.

Alex is the Dance4Life apprentice at Lincolnshire Dance co-ordinating aspects of the programme as well as leading various classes and workshops. She continues working in a freelance capacity alongside this role using a range of styles and working in many different settings.

LISA-JOANNE HURST - Freedom in Dance Coordinator

Since graduating from the University of Central Lancashire in 2009 with a BA (Hons) in Dance, Performance and Teaching, Lisa has established herself as a successful freelance artist working for a variety of arts organisations and Local Authorities across the East Midlands.

In 2010, Lisa was awarded the Supported Work Opportunity (SWO) at Lincolnshire Dance. The SWO is an opportunity for those new to the dance profession to gain skills and experience to fulfil their aspirations in a supported environment. In the same year Lisa performed with Professional Choreographer Katie Green at the SO Festival and Derby Feste, as well as Retina Dance Company in Lincolnshire Dance’s Community project in Lincoln. In 2011, Lisa performed in DEDA’s Games Time and Swerve Dance Theatre Company Summer Community project in partnership with Swindon Dance. With the support of Lincolnshire Dance, she set up her own Professional Touring Company in October 2010 which focuses on site specific work. The Company has performed across the county, most recently at SO Festival 2011 in Skegness.

From February - October 2011 Lisa was team leader for Lincolnshire Dance's Future Jobs Fund Team. The project ended successfully in September 2011 with the employee’s going on to other jobs or full time education. She is currently the Freedom in Dance Co-ordinator as well as undertaking a key role overseeing the programme for children and young people. She continues to work in a freelance capacity leading various classes and projects across the county in a number of different styles

KATRINA BRACKENBURY - Aiming Higher Co-ordinator.

Katrina trained at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts graduating in 1998 with a BA Hons in Performing Arts, majoring in Dance. She also trained as an aerial artist and performs the rope, hoop and silks.

During the last 13 years, Katrina has performed all over the world. The last 4 years were spent performing in circuses where she was predominantly an aerial artist but also was part of a Snake Act as well as being a magician and assistant in a knife throwing act. Katrina has danced in Cabarets and casinos in Europe and Asia, performed on cruise ships travelling both the Mediterranean and Caribbean and has worked for television in Tokyo.

Since returning to the UK Katrina has been involved with many aspects of Lincolnshire Dance’s key programmes, predominantly Aiming Higher, of which she is co-ordinator. She has led various youth workshops and performances and choreographed the curtain raiser performance for the annual Fashion Academy ‘Sew into Fashion Show’ in 2011. She is establishing a number of classes in a freelance capacity in a range of dance styles including Street dance, Samba, Irish, Jazz and Burlesque.

More Information

For more information about Lincolnshire Dance or to find out how you can get involved in Dance in your area, please contact us on 01522 811 811.