MEET THE DAZL TEAM

IAN RODLEY

Director

Ian is the embodiment of the DAZL Model, After his vocational Performing Arts training he went on to do a BA Youth & Community Degree at Leeds Metropolitan University. Ian has worked freelance dance artist for many organisation and worked commercially in the dance industry. As the DAZL Director he has overall responsibility for all of DAZL’s activities and strategic planning. His role is to ensure that DAZL strives to reach its organisational goals, In addition to this he’s the Founder and now advisory of the International Championship winning Cheerdance Academy DAZL Comp Teams (Diamonds, Inspire & DAZL Boys). Ian is NCSSE Master Level Cheerdance/ Cheerleading Coach and ICC World Cheerdance Level 2 Judge, Ian is also responsible for developing the DAZL Boys Cheerdance/ Hip-Hop Strand which is the only strand of work in Europe which engages boys of all ages into cheerdance which as given the organisation world-wide success. Ian works nationally using the DAZL model and research in dance and health to ignite conversations which bring the dance and health sectors together.

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AMANDA NOBLE

Finance & Admin Manager

Amanda has a wide range of experience having worked running finance, administration, HR and delivery aspects of businesses. Having worked in small and large companies in both the public and private sector, it gives her a unique overview to assist us when communicating with our many funders . Amanda has responsibility for DAZL’s finance function, ensuring annual accounts and budgets are properly maintained. Amanda also runs the administration function including Charities Commission and Companies House returns are properly filed. Amanda works closely with the DAZL Director in the strategic development of all DAZL strategies and programs. She support the DAZL Dance, Community & Wellbeing Officers supporting and nurturing the Youth Dance Leaders and the Freelance Artists in their development as community dance artists. To contact Amanda please email [email protected] or click the email button below/ practitioners.

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CHRISIE EMMONDS

Community Officer

Chrisie started her involvement due to her daughter’s been involved in DAZL in 2008. She then volunteered on various DAZL programs supporting the sessions, from this she gained her DAZL Youth Dance Leadership training and other community development and young people related qualifications with the support of DAZL. Chrisie has a passion for Inclusion and has been instrumental in developing the DAZL Inclusive Dance Provision across Leeds & Wakefield. She support school and community provision and is a performer/ coach of the DAZL Mums competitive dance team. In addition to this she is the DAZL Community Officer coordinating our community provision. Chrisie works closely with the Dance & Wellbeing Officers to ensure that children and families throughout DAZL can access support and internal and external services. To contact Chrisie or find out about any DAZL services please email [email protected] or click the email button below email

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MASON JUBB

Dance Development Officer

Mason become the DAZL Dance Development officer in April 2021 and years of working with DAZL as a freelance practitioner. Mason began his official dance training when gaining a place on the Centre for Advanced Training Scheme at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. In 2016 Mason graduated his Dance Degree with a First Class BA (Hons), he was awarded with the Carolyn Woolridge ‘Outstanding Performer’ Scholarship. Mason was a part of the Post-graduate performance company VERVE 17 and in 2017 became a Company Dancer in Black Box Dance Company. Mason has had the opportunity to work with highly established Choreographers and the privilege to teach and perform whilst touring extensively around the UK, Europe and beyond. Mason recently graduated at MA Level and gained his Masters in Contemporary Dance Performance. In his own words “Through family and friends DAZL is something I have always been well aware of, it is a programme I have admired particularly there work in the local community. I am determined to use my skills and knowledge to better the DAZL students and deliver a self-taught message that, no matter where you’re from or what your background, if you want it and are prepared to maintain effort and performance, you can achieve…”
If you would like to contact Mason, please e-mail him via the button below

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Stephanie Dobson

Wellbeing Officer

Steph has been involved in DAZL from a young age, she has gained her Dance Leaders qualification with DAZL. She did her B-tec in performing arts at Leeds City Collage along with her Foundation Degree in Dance. Over the past few years she has choreographed the international championship winning hip-hop strand of DAZL with tremendous success. She currently works on the community provision of the DAZL Boys and DAZL Diamonds.  Steph has work in commercial dance for the past 5 years appearing on TV Shows, Pop Video and Choreographed for corporate events/ flash-mobs. She is also a qualified Dance Fitness Instructor and Leads many of the DAZL Dance Fitness for adults programs across DAZL. Steph is the lead Hip-Hop specialist on the DAZL Competition Teams and available to teach outside of DAZL. She is leading on all things healthy lifestyles and healthy eating part of the DAZL Family Healthy Living Service. Please email her on [email protected] or click the email button below.

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Cameron Boys

Dance &  Health Aprentice

Cameron is from Middleton South Leeds and has been involved with DAZL since school where he attended Cockburn College of Arts. He has been performing part of the DAZL Youth Dance Company and also the Senior Hip-Hop Crew for past 3 years. Cameron took on the position as DAZL Apprentice in October 2020 and since have been developing his skills as a dancer and practitioner throughout our programs across West Yorkshire. Cameron has gained qualifications with Street Games Yorkshire, he's on the Leeds Playhouse Young Leaders Program. Cam is working with the DAZL Community, Wellbeing and Dance Development Officers to develop skills throughout the organisation which support this Dance & Wellbeing role. Currently Cam is also involved in the Kick Off Boys Youth Dance Partnership. We are excited to see how he will develop his dancing and teaching skills.

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CHLOE HALEY

Dance & Health Practitoner

Chloe has been dancing with DAZL since 2007 after starting with the ESCAPE Elite group. She then joined DAZL Diamonds and has danced at competitive level in Cheer and Hip Hop.  She has performed at many shows and events part of the Youth Dance Contemporary Company. She attends Wakefield College and is in her final year studying Dance at Degree Level were last year she completed her HND. Chloe has been supported through FE&HE by DAZL. She now delivering on many DAZL after-school clubs and DAZL Community Program. She has also gained her Level 2 Dance Leaders qualification with DAZL. Chloe has performed in competitions/ showcase events and galas nationally and internationally with DAZL. She is now leading on the DAZL Wakefield program and we hope Chloe continue to develop her practice within and beyond DAZL.

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STEPHEN JOHNSON

Community Dance Practitioner

Stephen Johnson, has over 20 years experience in teaching dance to young people. He’s also an experienced Youth Worker, and Arts Practitioner. He teaches many dance styles including Breakdance, Street dance and Hip-Hop dance. Throughout his career he has toured professionally, worked with many schools, colleges/universities and community groups. Stephen trained at the Northern School Of Contemporary Dance, He has  a passion for the stage and had been involved in many dance and Theatre/Drama productions as a performer and choreographer during this time. Stephen will be working with DAZL on after-school club and was also a teacher for DAZL when it began in 2000. Stephen is available to teach outside of DAZL please email him on the button below.

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PENNY MURRAY

Schools Dance Artist

Penny has over 20 years experience of delivering high quality dance to children and young people. Penny has been involved in DAZL for over 10 years as an artist, inspiring and educating young people from across Leeds most deprived areas. Penny currently delivers two programs for Middleton St Mary’s and Corpus Christi Primary part of DAZL’s Active 4 Life Program. Penny is available to teach outside of DAZL please email him on the button below.

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Fallon Cooper

Community Dance Leader

Fallon started with DAZL in 2006 part of the the DAZL community program in Belle Isle. Fallon has also been a member of the DAZL Diamonds Cheerdance and Hip-Hop team since she was 3 years old and is a vital member of the team. She is now delivering on many of the DAZL Leeds & DAZL Wakefield dance programs and has speciality for Urban dance. She is a wonderful example and role model to the younger people in DAZL. Fallon is now working with our Dance Facilitator Amy Smith in the at Anchor Care Home working with the Elderly with Dementia. She has completed her Dance Leaders qualification and is now Studying dance at Mechanics Performing Arts part of Wakefield College. Fallon has performed in competitions/ showcase events nationally and internationally with DAZL, including the Yorkshire tours with the DAZL Youth Company. Fallon is committed to furthering her education and completing her degree at Mechanics Performing Arts Wakefield.

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Becca George

Community Dance Leader

Becca has been involved in dancing since the age of 10 with where she was a member of the DAZL Diamonds International Championship winning dance team. Since then she has gain her B-TEC Level 3 in dance and is now about to go into her second year of her degree a Wakefield college. Becca has a passion for children and young people and is focused on the development of their dance and performance skills. Becca is one of the DAZL Wakefield lead practitioners but also works on the DAZL Leeds program. Becca is available to teach outside of DAZL and if you have any enquires regarding our Wakefield provision email [email protected] or click and email her on the button below

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Kaci Emmonds

Dance & Health Practitioner

Kaci has been dancing with DAZL since 2008. She then joined DAZL Diamonds and has danced at competitive level in Cheer and Hip Hop for over 10 years.  She is delivering dance on both the DAZL Leeds and DAZL Wakefield program. Kaci has a passion for Street and Contemporary dance and delivers this in both community  DAZL After-School Clubs and DAZL Community Programs. Kaci is now working with our Dance Facilitator after achieving her Dance Leaders qualification. Kaci has performed in competitions/ showcase events and galas nationally and internationally with DAZL, including the Yorkshire Youth Platforms Tour with the DAZL Youth Company. Kaci has now enrolled at Mechanics Performing Arts part of Wakefield College doing her HND after successfully completing her UAL Level 3 in Dance progressing her dance journey further. below

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Havanna Watson

Community Dance Leader

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Darren Murphy

Freelance Artist 

Darren trained at the northern school of contemporary Dance. Upon graduating he moved to London to pursue his career as a dancer. Darren worked as a professional dancer for 15 years performing in the west end, music videos, tv, backing dancing for pop artists and film. In 2015 Darren made a decision to finish performing and to pursue a career in teaching. In 2016 Darren studied with Urban Strides at high Wycombe university and gained a level 4 teaching qualification in Street Dance. Darren has taught in various schools and dance studios in and around London. Darren is really excited to be a part of the DAZL family and is really grateful for all the love and support DAZL has given him in the short time he’s been with the team.  He can’t wait to pass this on his skills, knowledge and experience to the DAZL communities .

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AMY SMITH

Freelance Artist 

Amy started dancing at 3 doing ballet, she joined DAZL when she was at high school and was assisted by DAZL in gaining her Btec First and Level 3 National Diploma in Performing Arts from Thomas Danby Collage. Amy then went on to gain her Level 3 Dance Leaders Qualification with DAZL. She has taught and performed with the DAZL Diamonds since the squad began in 2005, her experience in cheerdance and winning major championships is amazing. Amy has delivered work in schools and community sessions and is passionate about competitive cheerdance, Amy is also NCSSE qualified to Master Level. In September 2017 Amy become the DAZL Dance Facilitator responsible for the development of the DAZL Youth and Young Dance Leaders supporting their professional development and progression. In 2021 Amy left her role as Dance Facilitator but is still working with DAZL in a freelance capacity. Amy embodies the DAZL Model and we are so proud to have her on the team. please email her on the button below.

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Vicky Bentham

Freelance Artist 

Vicky Benthan is a dance fitness specialist and delivers work part of the DAZL Wakefield program. Vicky is supporting the development of our dance leaders and delivers on our partnership with Normanton Youth Dance and the Well Youthy. For more information on Vicky or to here about our Wakefield classes please email via the button below. 

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MEGAN BURNS

Community Dance Practitioner

Megan has been dancing with DAZL since 2007 after starting with the DAZL Diamonds group. She then joined DAZL Diamonds and has danced at competitive level in Cheer and Hip Hop. The teams she has danced with remain undefeated. She has performed at many shows and events part of the Youth Dance Contemporary Company. She attends NSCD CAT Scheme and is in her final year at Cockburn High School. She is assisting/ delivering on many DAZL Diamonds and DAZL Junior Dance Company Program. Megan is now working with our Dance Facilitator Amy Smith and Community Freelance Team after achieving her Level 2 Dance Leaders qualification with DAZL. Megan has performed in competitions/ showcase events and galas nationally and internationally with DAZL, including the Yorkshire Youth Platforms Tour with the DAZL Youth Company. We hope Megan continue to develop her practice within and beyond DAZL.

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ISLA HURST

Primary & Community Dance Teacher

Isla grew up in Bristol, and danced at The Dance Company Weston-super-Mare, before training at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and graduating with a First Class Degree.

She decided to stay in Leeds and continue to be part of the inspiring arts and culture community here, and is now a freelance teacher, maker and dancer.

She co-founded the company ‘Ironstone Productions’ which creates film and live shows, and has been teaching for several years, specialising in fun contemporary and creative classes. She is thrilled to be a part of the DAZL team!

Isla is available to teach outside of classes, please email her on the button below.

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Sarah English

Primary & Community Dance Teacher

Sarah English started at DAZL when she was 10 years old and has spent the last past 8years working as a professional performer and presenter. Sarah is now back in Leeds and inspiring our young people. Sarah will be delivering a variety of dance activities including musical theatre, Streetdance and cheerdance. We are so proud to have her back with our DAZL family. 

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Sally 

Young Dance Leader

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Madison

Young Dance Leader

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Aimee

Young Dance Leader

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DAZL are proud ambassadors of Child Friendly Leeds, and put local young people at the heart of everything we do. We have an ongoing commitment to support, train and nurture young talent to enable them to have the knowledge and experience to have a  career in the Arts. We listen to young people’s voices and let that influence what we include in our Activity plans. We understand the communities that we work and those with barriers to provision and dedicate our time to nurture them through our DAZL model, contributing towards them achieving their goals and moving them towards a career in the Arts or further/higher education.

We are commitment to training local people our Dance Leaders and gifted young people with a passion for leadership aged 14-17yrs & 18-21. Asisting those who are undertaking vocational dance training whilst been support by staffing team..