In our next 10 minutes with, we meet Colleen Joseph. Colleen is a familiar face at Greenwich Dance and not only teaches on our NRgDance programme but is also Artistic Director of Lotus Youth Dance Company. A valued member of the team, Colleen is all set to be teaching at St Ursula’s Covent School once the current lockdown is lifted. We were lucky that Colleen was able to take 10 minutes out of her busy schedule to have a chat with us.
Tell us about yourself…
I am a youth focused Artist, Curator and Movement Maker. I am passionate about the importance of access to dance for all and a strong believer of the power of dance on lives of those who participate in it and are in inspired by it.
What styles of dance do you teach, and do you have a favourite?
I teach a mixture of styles but mainly draw from the influences of Hip Hop and Contemporary dance. As a multidisciplinary artist I teach many styles and often explore cross-forms and experimental dance in a bid to stay innovative and alive.
Do you do anything else outside of teaching?
Yes, I most certainly do… I am a Mum of three beautiful daughters. Taiyah aged 9, Niamh aged 5 and Nova 3 months. I am a Co-chair at our daughter’s school charity- promoting and facilitating projects that inspire and support learning for primary school children. I have also worked as an Artistic Director of Youth Dance Companies for the last 11 years and curate many programmes to engage young people aged 8-19. Aside of that I enjoy fashion, film, acting and have produced a small handful of short films.
What inspired you to start dancing?
I was definitely that child who could almost never sit still anywhere apart from when sat in an auditorium. I came alive whilst immersed in a performance! I would watch everything from Ballets, to Pantomime, Disney to Musicals and would never tire of the theatrics. I don’t remember one specific thing, just an amalgamation of instances that eventually resulted in the undeniable fact that dance was my calling.
What can our young people expect when they come along to one of your NRgDance sessions?
To live your best life! To be challenged… I’m not in the business of training dancers to recreate, mimic or regurgitate! I’m in the business of nurturing their individual greatness. Drawing out what makes them unique and focusing on that very thing until they blossom. Our classes are both inclusive and encouraging. It has always been important for me that we create a home from home so no matter what your background or circumstance you have somewhere that feels safe and offers young people opportunities they otherwise never would have accessed.
