DanceWest Staff
DanceWest has a small, committed and dynamic staff team.
Rosie Whitney-Fish - Founder & Chief Executive
Rosie founded DanceWest in 2014 and is responsible for developing the non-profit which engages 30,000 people each year and operates across seven West London boroughs. DanceWest became a registered charity in 2018 and Rosie is responsible for the strategic operation of the organisation, the development, fundraising and artistic programming. Rosie is an entrepreneur with significant experience in developing strategies for local authorities, developing community programmes and leading programmes for housing associations and national arts organisations. She has a track record of successfully fundraising via the Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and charitable trusts.
Rosie is the co-founder of Ignition Dance Festival, a bi-annual festival which since 2013 has commissioned 49 artists and community participants of 6,400. Rosie has worked internationally as producer and choreographer, her work has been supported by Barbican, Create London, Arts Council England and the Cultural Olympiad. Her commercial work has seen her touring to Australia, Asia and Europe for television, theatre, film, fashion and commercials clients include Universal Records, Alexander Wang, Diesel, Vogue Italia, London Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week Sassoon, Evening Standard, Grazia, Sassoon, Wella, P & G. She was nominated by One Dance Uk’s national awards for Inspirational Community Dance Practitioner and Outstanding Dance Programming Award. Rosie has a (MA Dance-Theatre) Trinity Laban Conservatoire and a (BA Choreography & Dance) Winchester University. Rosie@dancewest.co.uk
Julia Fitzelle - Director
Julia’s dedication to overcoming barriers is evident in her work. With nearly 15 years of experience teaching in inner London secondary schools, she thoroughly understands the power of arts education in transforming lives. Transitioning to the arts sector, Julia brought her passion for connectivity to new heights. With a knack for strategic planning and programme development honed over a decade, Julias expertise lies in crafting engaging experiences that resonate with audiences of all backgrounds. Her portfolio boasts a myriad of large-scale projects, annually touching the lives of over 45,000 individuals, showcasing her commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in the arts.
As a key member of the senior team at Rambert and Rambert Grades, Julia played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of these esteemed organisations, spearheading initiatives that brought dance to broader audiences. Her tenure as Cultural Education Partnership Manager for Ealing further solidified her reputation as a catalyst for change, as she worked to bridge the gap between communities and cultural opportunities. In addition to her roles within established institutions, Julia has also made her mark as a freelance producer in the dance sector, leveraging her expertise to create innovative experiences that captivate and inspire. Her diverse experiences across various sectors have equipped her with the skills needed to manage complex projects, develop cutting-edge engagement programmes, and foster meaningful partnerships that cultivate a sense of belonging for all. Julia@dancewest.co.uk
Kate Munday - Coordinator
Kate graduated with a First-Class BA (hons) degree in Dance from Kingston University showcasing her dedication to the field. Kate's passion for the dance industry extends to various aspects, with a particular focus on Producing. Kate has completed her Safeguarding training, First Aid & Autism awareness training in 2023. Kate@dancewest.co.uk
Theresa James - Administrator & Receptionist
Theresa has recently completed an MA in Dance Producing & Management with a distinction from London Studio Centre and has a BA (hons) degree in Dance with Education from Chichester University. With a background in Dance Producing and arts administration, she has most recently worked as Participation Producer at Pavilion Dance SouthWest and Administrator & Volunteer Coordinator at Dance Working. Theresa has a particular interest in community dance for health and wellbeing and helps to deliver a monthly Parkinson's Dance class in Surrey which she initially established in 2019. Info@dancewest.co.uk
Imelda Mejía Osornio - Event Host
Imelda Mejía Osornio, an advocate for inclusion through arts, holds studies in Applied Theatre. Originally a contemporary dancer for Escenica 2.0, she currently works as a freelance actor and enjoys expanding her experience in teaching drama and ballet to people all ages. Fluent in English and Spanish, Imelda is proficient in intercultural communication. Having recently moved to the UK, she is eager to contribute to the mission of DanceWest.
Hakim Oreagba - Bookkeeper
DanceWest Board of Trustees
Anya Todd - Chair
Anya holds an MA from Oxford University in Languages and an MA in International Studies and Diplomacy from SOAS (The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London). Anya started her career in the Corporate Responsibility Team at KPMG, with responsibilities including the UK donations, skilled volunteering and social inclusion programmes as well as management of KPMG's multi-award winning global pro bono programme. Anya then managed the Community programme for Sainsbury's, with responsibility for the growth of Sainsbury's food donation programme and an increase in customer engagement in the Local Charity scheme. Anya also has experience in the charity sector, having held positions such as Head of Quality and Expansion and subsequently Head of International Volunteering at Restless Development, a youth-led international development charity focused on putting young people at the forefront of change and development in their own countries. Anya has since returned to KPMG as Senior Corporate Responsibility Manager, and oversees KPMG’s work in the areas of volunteering, pro bono, place-based regional CR work, Board-level volunteering, KPMG’s national charity partnership with the NSPCC and reporting. Anya is passionate about the responsible business agenda, community engagement, youth leadership and empowerment and social inclusion.
Maria Polydorou - Treasurer
Maria is a Manager Audit Corporates at KPMG a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Originally from Cyprus Maria spent two years with Macintyre Hudson in the Not-for-profit (N4P) department with the opportunity to collaborate with large scale charities, N4P organisations as well as schools and Academies supporting with bookkeeping, accounts preparation, independent examination and audit services. Juggling between work and life Maria says ‘dance has played a pivotal role in developing my self-confidence and physical and mental health throughout my teenage years I am delighted to be the treasurer of a charity that promotes inclusivity and access for everyone in the community to participate in dance’.
Susan Whiddington CBE - Trustee
Susan is the founding director of Go Live, a theatre education charity dedicated to creating opportunities for disadvantaged young people and young people with special needs to attend outstanding theatre across London and participate in a range of creative learning projects to offer young people an opportunity to learn new skills, take risks, broaden horizons, be creative and raise aspirations. Prior to this appointment, Susan was the Development Officer for the Society of London Theatre and Project Director for the Association of British Orchestras. Susan is the Vice-Chair of Action for Children’s Arts, an Advisory Board Member for Facing History and Ourselves, a member of the International Women’s Forum and a Fellow of the RSA. Susan held the office of Chair of John Lyon’s Charity for 10 years (retiring in September 2020) and is a past Chair of Democrats Abroad UK.