Meet our Youth Board

My name is Hayley Aldridge, 20, from Birmingham! I’m moving into my third year of Dance at Coventry University in September. I joined the Youth Board to get an inside look at the company as I’m used to seeing the final productions as an audience member. I love all the work that Motionhouse produce and this was an exciting opportunity to be able to get involved with the company! I’m most excited to get creative in developing projects and sharing ideas!

I graduated with a BA hons first class degree in Dance in 2017 and have been finding my path in the arts industry since. I joined the Youth Board to have a voice in the organisation and be able to express my opinion freely. I am excited to learn more about the logistics of Motionhouse as well as the planning and delivery of the winter fundraiser.

Hello, I am Lucy and I am so excited to be part of the Motionhouse Youth Board! Dance has been a great passion of mine from a very young age. I have just completed my second year of training at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance which has been very intense but enjoyable. Alongside my training I have had some amazing opportunities. My favourite part of my training is getting the opportunity to choreograph and perform. I was very keen to join the Motionhouse Youth board because I think it is very important to be aware of what is currently going on in the dance industry behind the performance and end product that audience members see. I am so excited to be getting involved with the company, meeting new people and seeing what opportunities and new ideas will arise!

Lucy (19) is based in Yorkshire. Lucy trained at CAPA College and with Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Senior Academy. She is proud to be part of Motionhouse’s Youth Board and is excited to make her views heard and represent young people in the arts!

Hi I’m Emily! Dance really does run in the blood in my family and has been one of my biggest hobbies since I was very young. Motionhouse has always been a company that has made me fall in love with dance anew with each performance, so I am so excited to be able to get involved first-hand and share some of my creativity. I am currently studying English and French at university, so the Youth Board is a fantastic opportunity for me to keep in touch with the dance world whilst making a real impact for both the public and professionals. It is such a pioneering company board and I cannot wait to spread the word and show you what we have in store!

My name is Katie Holtom and I am a student at De Montfort University studying performing arts. I work predominantly in physical theatre but I have been a dancer all my life, making me a real fan of Motionhouse from the very beginning. It is my aim to build a career backstage in the arts in production, management etc, and I am excited for the opportunities and experience being on the youth board will give me that will help me reach my goal. Good luck to everyone else on my new team I can’t wait to work with you!

Hi peoples, my name is Sydney Illsley and I’m 15 years old. My absolute passion is dance and performing arts, which includes; Circus, Contemporary, Ballet and Jazz, I also love costume design and have a keen interest in Sport Science, I pretty much like all Theatre (I don’t sing! ?). I am part of Motionhouse Youth, which is fab, I have traveled around the world with some of my dancing, competing in major competitions, by far the greatest experience is meeting new people and amazing dancers.

I joined Motionhouse youth board, as it’s a great opportunity to work closer with the company, I also get to see the business side to dance and what goes into the production of the shows, as an audience you only see the final outcome, but there is so much more. I wasn’t able to dance at the beginning of the year and Motionhouse was very supportive to me, I learnt how important dance was, so I wanted to give back and help.

I am very excited to be working with Motionhouse and to work with them on new ideas and help plan to the winter fundraiser- exciting times!

Hi my name is Emily Mortimer. I am 15 years old I’ve been dancing since I was 5 having mainly focused on Rhythmic Gymnastics. I was crowned British champion twice and now I want a new challenge and Motionhouse was the perfect opportunity.

I’m Hollie, I’m 22 and am so excited to be a part of this years Youth Board! I have been a massive follower of Motionhouse for years and when the opportunity came up to work with them and discuss their work, I couldn’t say no. I decided to apply because I have a strong passion for community dance and using it to engage with people from all backgrounds and walks of life. I am looking forward to learning new skills from the girls on the board and from members of the Motionhouse company. I also can’t wait to start project planning and being able to have a voice in how Motionhouse is run in the future!

My name is Isabel, I trained in contemporary dance at Northern School of Contemporary Dance and De Montfort University. I currently teach street dance, ballet and cheerleading in various primary schools and teach performing arts to young children at the weekends. I joined Motionhouse Youth Board as Motionhouse is a company I have always loved and been truly inspired by, and hopefully this opportunity will allow me to find out more about the company and let me be able to have my own voice on their ideas.

Hi, I’m Pree! I am a current dance undergraduate looking to achieve great things and gain excellent opportunities by working with Motionhouse Youth Board. I can’t wait to provide my own thoughts and ideas with such an inspiring company!

Hello! I’m Holly, I started dancing when I was 3 years old in Bedfordshire and I have just graduated from a Contemporary Dance degree at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. In September I will be joining the Learning and Participation team at Laban as Graduate Intern! I joined the Youth Board because I wanted to meet other young people with similar interests and goals to myself, and see how we can have an impact on a company like Motionhouse. I’m most excited about being able to have my voice heard and gain experience working in ways I haven’t before, I think this will be a really empowering role!