CAT Team

CENTRE FOR ADVANCED TRAINING MANAGER

Originally from Norwich, I began training at the Anglia Region Theatre School. Later, focussing specifically on contemporary dance and earning a First-Class Honours degree from the University of Lincoln. During my studies, I worked with choreographers and companies such as Nori Aoki, Verve and James Wilton Company, and developed skills in screen dance, digital technology and site-specific work.At DanceEast, I’ve previously held roles as CAT Coordinator and Programme Manager, overseeing classes, workshops, and a range of vibrant activities. Alongside this, I’ve continued to teach as a freelance community artist. I’m now stepping into the role of Interim CAT Manager.

CAT SUPPORT TEAM

I am a dance artist based in Suffolk. I trained at London Contemporary Dance School, where I graduated with a first-class honours degree.
During my training, I worked with choreographers such as Antony Matsena, Shobana Jeyasingh, and James Cousins, gaining experience in a variety of working styles and repertoire.
My performance experience includes appearances at London’s Southbank Centre, the National Theatre’s River Stage, and presenting work at The Cambridge Junction’s Scratch Nights.
I currently teach on DanceEast’s CAT Scheme outreach programmes and have extensive experience supporting and teaching children and adults with SEND.

CONTEMPORARY & CREATIVE TUTOR

Originally from Italy, Luca is a London-based dance artist and academic with over ten years of international experience in performance, education, and choreography.

HIP HOP TUTOR

Paris is a movement artist specialising in Popping. She’s an original member of powerhouse popping crew Fiya House and has recently become an Associate Artist at DanceEast of which she will begin to collaborate, build and create her own performance works. Paris’ work is heavily influenced by social sciences, political activism and her relationship to nature. She is working on her first solo piece called Rewiring of which she premiered at Resolution 2022 and has expanded in her residency with Choreodrome 2022 at The Place. Not only is she creating professional works but she also dominates the battle scene in the HipHop community having represented and won for the UK globally.

CONTEMPORARY TUTOR

Upon completion of his training at London Contemporary Dance School, Stuart danced in several international tours of Matthew Bourne‘s Swan Lake as part of New Adventures company. He then shifted focus to more choreographic and teaching practices.

BALLET & FaST TUTOR

Julian Lewis graduated from Trinity Laban in 2013 and has since performed across the UK & Europe with EDGE Dance Company, Bowie Live and Ffin Dance among other companies and projects. Julian has also worked as a rehearsal director, is the co-director of Traceworks Dance, and has developed his teaching practice working for a range of schools and conservatoires throughout his career.

CONTEMPORARY

Oliver trained at London Contemporary Dance School and was selected for the prestigious AKX pilot programme with Akram Khan. He later travelled to China to study Kung Fu under 34th generation Shaolin Warriors, deepening his martial arts practice. Since returning, he has performed internationally and co-directs Vanhulle Dance Theatre, creating commissioned works including Olive Branch, a family dance show touring widely in 2024/25. His martial arts journey began at age 7 and spans Tang Soo Do, Capoeira, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kung Fu, and Kickboxing. Oliver is a passionate educator, leading workshops that fuse contemporary dance and martial arts across the UK and Europe.

BALLET TUTOR

Massimo Solazzo started learning ballet at the age of 5 and been in the industry for nearly 30 years. He secured a prestigious three-year scholarship at London’s Bird College of Performing Arts and became a registered RAD teacher.
Massimo has performed in musical and ballet performances across the UK and Europe. He became an RAD CBTS Tutor and Mentor, conducting training worldwide, including Italy, China, and Switzerland. He gained certification in Horton Pedagogy and Contemporary Dance Teaching from the Ailey School in New York and took on the role of Director of Education and Curriculum Designer at the Duncan Dance Academy in China. He has trained students at RAD schools in Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Malaysia. Massimo was nominated as an Examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance.

CONTEMPORARY

Belgian born Laura Vanhulle moved to the UK in 2006, to complete her BA(hons) degree at Northern School of Contemporary Dance and was selected to undertake an apprenticeship with Ace Dance and Music, Shobana Jeyasingh(Counterpoint) and Motionhouse (The Voyage).

PIANIST

Calvin started playing for the Suffolk County Council Ballet Scholarship Scheme with DanceEast in 2001. He was subsequently invited to play for a variety of additional classes such as Adult Tap, Adult Ballet and the Ballet Enrichment classes.

PIANIST

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Jonathan is a Physiotherapy Extended Scope Practitioner and specializes in musculoskeletal disorders. Jonathan qualified with an Honours degree in Physiotherapy from Brunel University.

SPORTS THERAPIST

Charlotte graduated from the University of Worcester in 2014 with an honours degree in Sports Therapy which entites her to a full membership under The Society of Sports Therapist. Since that time, Charlotte has worked in the private sector taking a special interest in musculoskeletal disorders. She has been the lead Sports Therapist at both Leiston Football Club & Felixstowe & Walton Football Club.