Having embraced disability at 17, I've navigated both the mainstream dance world and the realm of disabled dance, discovering a new language and a myriad of possibilities along the way.
I've had the privilege of leaving my mark on esteemed companies like Stopgap Dance Company, National Youth Ballet, Ballet Cymru, The Scottish Ballet, Lila Dance and the Marc Brew Company.
More recently, with a much-needed focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in the corporate space, my work now encompasses one-to-one mentoring and group workshops to empower and support individuals and drive meaningful change in the corporate space.
My greatest joy lies in witnessing individuals surpass their perceived limitations and achieve feats they once deemed impossible.
Whether it’s enabling a neurodivergent person to feel at home in an office or witnessing a wheelchair dancer master the perfect pirouette, these moments fuel my passion and remind me of the profound impact we can make when we embrace diversity and champion inclusivity.
It's this unwavering belief in human potential that propels me out of bed each day, eager to continue the journey toward a more inclusive and empowering world.
At Ballet Cymru, Suzie is uniquely placed to help inform the way work as a professional ballet company with ambitions to increase and enhance our inclusive ballet provision at professional level.
Her ballet experiences, both as a disabled and non-disabled dancer, mean she understands first-hand the challenge of preparing a touring ballet company and its dancers for the stage, the demands of the classical ballet technique, and the rigorous training required.
Suzie has an unflinching belief in equity, an incredible work ethic, an in-depth level of knowledge, and an ability to develop trust with everyone she works with. All these things – plus the high quality and calibre of her work – create safe spaces to try, fail, question, challenge, agree and disagree.
Her expertise and knowledge further enhance and enrich the professional world of ballet and we know that working with Suzie will better equip us to meet the needs of a more diverse workforce.
As a Beyond Ballet Artist and Young Leader with the National Youth Ballet, finding my way in both the professional dance world and my personal journey hasn’t always been easy.
But through working with Suzie, I’ve gained so much more than just guidance. I’ve found real support, understanding and direction.
Being mentored by an experienced disabled dancer has been incredibly empowering. She has given me practical tools to manage my time, develop my choreography and navigate the unique challenges that come with being a disabled artist.
Her perspective has helped me feel seen and validated in ways I hadn’t before.
Suzie’s mentorship has helped me grow professionally and personally, giving me the confidence to pursue my goals with resilience and purpose.
