Staff

Rachel Liggitt – Co-Artistic Director
Rachel is Co-Artistic Director of Shropshire Inclusive Dance (SiD), Educator & Coach and a freelance dance artist with an impressive record of achievement across health, education, community & arts sectors. She has delivered an extensive range of school, community, performance & choreographic work both nationally & internationally.
Rachel began her career in the 1990’s as an independent dance artist & performer, collaborating with dance artists & small-scale dance companies in tandem with workshop delivery. She was Dance Fellow at Leeds University 1996-2004, Education & Training Coordinator at Blue-Eyed Soul Dance Company 2006-2012 & has held several dance Artist in Residence positions. In 2018 Rachel won One Dance UK’s ‘Inspirational Community Dance Practitioner’ Award.

Ray Jacobs – Co Artistic Director:

Ray is an experienced practioner and director in the fields of dance, performance and filmmaking. He has a wealth of experience in leading successful inclusive dance and performance based projects. After working with Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company as a performer and education officer (1998 – 2006), Ray has created multi-award winning films and directed performance based projects throughout the community. Ray currently works with Arty Party facilitating workshops and creating new works with disabled performers. Since 2012 Ray has worked with Shropshire Inclusive Dance, facilitating workshops, leading projects, and directing the company alongside co-director Rachel Liggitt. He states. ‘I aim in my work to create movement and image which steps quietly into the human heart’.

Anna Belyavin – SiD Dance Artist:

Anna Belyavin is a freelance dance artist based in Shropshire and working across the West Midlands. Anna trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and gained a degree in Dance Theatre in 2010. Anna works as a performer, choreographer, teacher, facilitator and leader and works with children, young people and adults.. Anna works as a teacher and facilitator in educational and community settings, delivering projects, weekly sessions and curriculum themed work. Anna specialises in contemporary and creative dance and is Artistic Director of Arcadian Youth Dance in Shropshire, the county’s first youth dance company and is currently working with partners to develop Shropshire Dance Hub.

Poppy Mansfield – SiD Dance Artist:

Poppy is a Freelance Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher presently working within Shropshire and the surrounding West Midlands. She trained in Choreography at Dartington College of Arts with a particular emphasis on visual arts. During her training she collaborated with artists from other disciplines on educational projects. This positive experience means that she now seeks out similar projects that explore and encourage children and young people to engage with movement in a dynamic way. Unafraid of a challenge she is keen to always welcome a different perspective when it comes to creating.