Public Engagement Impact

Laura Aldridge is the Head of Children and Young People’s Dance Programmes at Trinity Laban, leading work that widens participation and nurtures talent, potential and a love of dance.  Laura has worked in participatory dance for over 20 years, as a teacher and producer.

Before joining Trinity Laban, she was Producer for Siobhan Davies Dance, leading education and community programmes connected to Siobhan’s work and choreographic practise, working with national galleries, venues, schools and young artists.  Working independently and for organisations such as East London Dance and Artis Education, Laura taught, choreographed and produced dance with professionals, schools and communities.

Through her work with Artis Laura mentored other performing arts education specialists.  She trained at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, undertook a Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning at Trinity Laban, and completed the Extend Arts Leadership course.  Laura joined Trinity Laban in 2019.

Tabby Estell has worked in music education for over 30 years. She studied music at Manchester University and the Royal Northern College Music and was a teacher in London before moving into orchestral education. In 1997 she joined London Sinfonietta, managing the ensemble’s pioneering education programme, and became Director of Education and Community at London Philharmonic Orchestra in 2005. She had an active freelance career as a music education specialist with various arts organisations including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Opera House and Southbank Centre before joining Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance as Head of Junior Trinity in 2014.

In August 2015, Tabby was appointed to the new position of Head of Children and Young People’s Music Programmes. She has worked closely with music services, music hubs, junior and senior conservatories and other providers of music education throughout her career and is a passionate advocate for excellence in music education provision for young people, and for supporting young musicians to reach their full potential.

Neill Quinton is Widening Participation Manager in the Children and Young People’s Music Programmes at Trinity Laban, steering its work that engages with, inspires, and builds progression routes for young musicians, and for schools. Across a long and varied career, Neill has worked as a producer, programmer, fundraiser, and project manager, as well as remaining active as a music performer and teacher. During 12 years at Southbank Centre, Neill was responsible for its music education activity, and then much of its music participation programming, helping to curate and deliver many large-scale festivals, strands and installations. He has also worked for Tomorrow’s Warriors, Sistema Europe, the Somme100 national orchestras project, and Amnesty International.

Jasmine Wilson is the Head of Community and Artist Development at Trinity Laban, where she leads work across dance and music, with a focus on creative health programmes for adults, short courses, and artist development initiatives. With over 30 years of experience in dance education and participatory practice, Jasmine trained at London Contemporary Dance School and began her career as a teacher, performer, and producer. In 1999, she founded the learning department at Studio Wayne McGregor, growing it into one of the UK’s most dynamic and wide-reaching dance company engagement programmes, recognised for its innovation and high-quality work with diverse communities both nationally and internationally. A Clore Cultural Leadership Fellow (2009/10), Jasmine completed a secondment with Tate Britain and conducted research into participatory arts projects in Brazil. She joined Trinity Laban in 2022 and has served as a governor at the BRIT School since 2019.

Jennifer Bennett is the Project Manager, Music for Community and Artist Development at Trinity Laban. She oversees a range of key initiatives, including the Musical Theatre Summer School, international partnership visits, and the coordination of degree-level residential programmes. Jennifer brings valuable experience in Creative Health, having supported numerous Public Engagement projects that foster collaboration between students and external community organisations. A dedicated member of the Trinity Laban community for over a decade, she graduated with First-Class Honours in 2019. Beyond her role at Trinity Laban, Jennifer serves as a Trustee for the Kent and Medway Young Musicians Trust, where she also acts as Webmaster and Designated Safeguarding Officer.

Catriona Bourne is Project Coordinator for the Children and Young People’s Music Programmes at Trinity Laban. As both a qualified teacher and multi-instrumentalist across genres, she is passionate about expanding access to high-quality music education in both classical and jazz traditions. A Trinity Laban alumna, Catriona graduated from an MMus in Flute Performance with Distinction in 2024, winning multiple awards and competitions. Alongside her work at Trinity Laban, Catriona maintains a busy performance schedule: touring with orchestras and jazz ensembles, performing as a concerto soloist, and recently giving a solo set involving live electronics in the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room.

Amelia Clarke is Programme Coordinator for the Centre for Advanced Training in Dance at Trinity Laban, coordinating the day-to-day planning, administration and operational delivery of the CAT Programme. Amelia graduated from the University of Warwick with a First Class Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre Studies and is an alumna of the CAT Programme and National Youth Dance Company. Whilst studying, she worked as a movement director and collaborator on commissions with organisations including Pilot Theatre, Coventry City of Culture, and Calico Theatre. Previously, Amelia worked as a coordinator for children’s and young people’s creative writing and performing arts programmes, alongside event and production roles at Birmingham Literature Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Amelia is an advocate for access and inclusion in dance, and champions young voices in the arts. Outside of her role at Trinity Laban, she serves as a board member for Autin Dance Theatre where she supports the organisation’s mission to inspire, educate, and create positive social change through the arts.

Kara Coffey is a project manager working in Community and Artist Development, primarily focusing on Trinity Laban’s Adult Dance programme and Dance Summer Schools. Kara also supports Public Engagement’s Creative health work, including classes and programmes for over 60s and people with health conditions, as well as professional and artist development.

Kara trained at The BRIT School and London Studio Centre, where she specialised in contemporary dance. Following this she worked as a dance artist and teacher before moving into a dance participation role at The Place. Kara joined the Public Engagement dance team in 2019 as a coordinator, and has over 7 years’ experience in dance participation and creative health.

Lucy is the Lead Teacher for the Centre for Advanced Training in Dance, teaching Contemporary Technique, Creative Practise and Tutor.  Lucy is a lecturer for the Foundation in Contemporary Dance.

Lucy Evans trained at London Contemporary Dance School and Trinity Laban as part of Transitions Dance Company 2007 gaining an MA in Dance Performance. Whilst in Transitions, Lucy toured work in the UK and Europe by Henri Okguike, Jenni Kivela, Pablo Ventura, Aszure Barton and Cristian Duarte. Her career as a freelance dance artist has included performing with H2dance, La Fura del Baus, Cie. Willi Dorner, e.dance, Aletta Collins, DeDa and the Olympics Closing Ceremony under the direction of Kym Gavin.

Katy Gawadzyn is Project Manager for Children and Young People’s Dance Programmes at Trinity Laban.   Her role manages all dance work with Schools.

Emma Greene is currently the Programme Coordinator for Children and Young People’s Dance and a Teacher on Trinity Laban’s Youth Dance Programme.  Emma joined the Public Engagement dance team in 2023 and has since had several roles within the team.

Emma is a dancer and choreographer with a strong foundation in both performance and teaching. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Contemporary Dance from Trinity Laban in 2021 and since then has been dedicated to sharing her love of dance with others. Emma’s teaching experience spans from early childhood education to dance for older adults and public engagement projects. She has performed in productions, including East Wall (2019)- Hofesh Shechter Company, Die Zauberflöte (2021) and Nabucco (2022) at The Royal Opera House, and productions at the Bregenzer Festspiele (2022-23).

Emma is the Programme Coordinator for Children and Young People’s Dance at Trinity Laban. She supports the delivery of programmes, projects and events with a key focus on empowering young people to participate in dance. Emma has worked in the dance sector since 2022, working with established organisations and in freelance capacities as a researcher, producer and administrator.

Poppy Harrison is the Programme Manager, Music for Community and Artist Development at Trinity Laban, where she delivers the strategic development, programming, and delivery of a wide range of music-based engagement programmes. Her work spans community, health and wellbeing, older people’s initiatives, student engagement, and professional development, with a focus on partnership collaboration and impact-driven practice. Before joining Trinity Laban, Poppy was a Programme Manager at English National Opera, where she designed and delivered outreach programmes for young people aged 11–18, national digital projects, and worked on the ENO Breathe creative health intervention. She has also held fundraising and event delivery roles at Battersea Arts Centre and the Bush Theatre.

Niesha Holder is the Programme Manager for the Centre for Advanced Training at Trinity Laban, where she leads on the organisation, scheduling and delivery of the programme.

Prior to joining Trinity Laban in 2022, Niesha worked as the Take Part Producer for New Adventures and the School’s Co-ordinator at Southbank Centre. Before that, at the Royal Opera House, as the Learning and Participation Officer – Ballet, where she was working on projects including Chance to Dance, World Ballet Day and Young Creatives. Niesha studied a BA (Hons) Dance and Culture Degree, at the University of Surrey and completed her professional placement at The Place.

Beyond her role at Trinity Laban, Niesha is passionate about Counselling and Psychotherapy, recently completing her level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills. Niesha is interested in therapeutic counselling, its connection to movement and the value of this for young people.

Déarbhaile Nairn is Project Manager for the Children and Young People’s Music Programmes at Trinity Laban. She oversees a range of key initiatives including the Trinity Laban School Concert Series, Animate projects, Battle of the Bands and the Young Musicians’ Summer School. Déarbhaile joined Trinity Laban in 2018. Déarbhaile brings valuable experience in working with musicians, having previously been the Artist Development Manager at Sinfonia Smith Square, and in particular young musicians, across all musical genres, from her time as Producer at national music education charity, Music for Youth. Beyond her role at Trinity Laban, Déarbhaile serves as a trustee for Lewisham Education Arts Network.

Holly Smith is Project Manager for Children and Young People’s Dance Programmes (maternity cover) at Trinity Laban.  She manages the Youth and Creative Dance Programmes and annual U.Dance London Regional Platform. Holly is dedicated to widening access to dance. She has worked in several outreach roles, and was previously Associate Programme and Primary Steps Coordinator at The Royal Ballet School and Participation Producer for RISE Youth Dance.

As a dance artist she has taught for several organisations including Trinity Laban, The Royal Ballet School, Royal Academy of Dance, Aesop’s Dance to Health and was Artist in Residence at Greenwich Dance. Her teaching spans ages 2-100, in education, community settings and dance studios.

Holly trained in Contemporary Dance at Trinity Laban and gained teaching qualifications with the ISTD. She first joined the Public Engagement team in 2019 as Graduate Intern, going onto to teach across their programmes, before returning to the team as Project Manager in 2025.

Laura Woods is the Programme Manager, Dance for Community and Artist Development at Trinity Laban she leads on creative health dance programmes, working closely with local communities, healthcare providers and partners to build inclusive, participant-led activities that support wellbeing through creativity and connection.

Laura trained at London Contemporary Dance School and the University of Utah, later completing a BA (Hons) in Arts Management, a foundation that has supported a fulfilling career, spanning performance, education and strategic development. She has worked with touring companies, festivals, local authorities, theatres and regional dance organisations.

Before joining Trinity Laban in 2015, Laura spent seven years at The Place, managing the Water Project, a creative partnership with Crisis Skylight and Cardboard Citizens. Using dance to support social integration for adults with experience of homelessness, the programme offered classes, performance opportunities, and personal development pathways. It championed community-building and highlighted the power of dance to inspire social change.

Also a garden designer, Laura is passionate about creating spaces — in dance and nature — that connect people, spark imagination and nurture care.