Interim CAT Manager, Daisy Wyatt, reflects on her journey into dance for Discover! Creative Careers Month.
Dance is SO much more than movement, it’s a way of growing, connecting, and giving back, my career in dance has really highlighted this. My journey into a career in dance has been shaped by every class, teacher, performance, and role I’ve taken on. As part of Careers in Dance Week, I’m super excited to share how I came to where I am now and what motivates me to continue.
My journey begins very early; I started dancing at age two at a local dance school in Norfolk before joining ARTS (Anglia Region Theatre School) in Norwich. Those first years instilled in me a sense of wonder and then through my training at ARTS, I began to recognise the joy of learning, the discipline of training, and the dreams that come from performance opportunities. It was genuinely my safe space and felt like home. ARTS offered lots of incredible opportunities that included magical moments onstage at Disneyland and Sadler’s Wells. These were not just performances; they were affirmations of what dance could be, a place to belong, to express, and to connect – so I really value my early training in dance and the teachers that supported me!
As I got older, I began to look at dance as a potential career path.
I attended a school that didn’t place much emphasis on the arts and offered no opportunity to study dance at GCSE or A-Level. Because of that, I feel super fortunate that my teachers at ARTS were so invested and provided such a great support system.
I decided to study Contemporary Dance at the University of Lincoln which was an incredible three years shaped by amazing tutors, classes and friends! It also gave me some wonderful opportunities to work with world-renowned choreographers and artists. I developed both as a dancer and a person, and it really emphasised to me that I wanted to work in dance to make an impact on others! After completing my studies at the University of Lincoln, I stepped into teaching at ARTS, which was an incredible full circle moment. Delivering a wide variety of dance styles to students of all ages opened my eyes to how varied and powerful dance education can be. Over time, I found myself drawn especially to teaching contemporary, which became central to my own artistic language.
As part of this work, I worked with a Youth Group, choreographing for shows, competitions, and national platforms like U.Dance. Watching young dancers develop, take risks, and grow in confidence was, and still is, one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
One of the most pivotal moments in my journey came when I joined DanceEast, a nationally recognised organisation based in Ipswich. I began as a Coordinator for the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT), a role that combined practical support, mentoring, and organisation. I worked closely with the CAT students, helped run events like the End of Year Show, and contributed to a wide variety of projects.
This was a truly collaborative role
working with the amazing tutors that make up that DanceEast CAT programme. It also gave me the opportunity to work with dance companies such as Far From The Norm, Jasmin Vardimon, Hofesh Shechter Company, and Avant Garde Dance. These experiences enriched my understanding of both the artistic and operational sides of the dance world and helped me build strong networks in the sector.
Over time, I transitioned into the role of Programme Manager. In this position, I oversaw an exciting and varied programme: classes, workshops, artist development, courses, and events. Whether organising a Holiday Club for children, curating our Dance for Parkinson’s programme with English National Ballet, or running adult classes from contemporary to hip hop, our aim was to always make dance accessible, welcoming, and high-quality for everyone.
Most recently, I returned to the CAT programme, this time as Interim CAT Manager.
Being back in that world, supporting young dancers through their training, helping shape their goals, and building meaningful opportunities, feels very much like coming home! It is genuinely such a joy to work with such talented and hardworking young dancers as well as our fantastic CAT Team.
Looking back, every chapter of my journey, from childhood classes to leadership at DanceEast, has shaped my belief in the transformative power of dance. I am grateful for the foundation I received, for the colleagues and artists who have supported me, and for the dancers I continue to work with.
As I reflect on my career during Creative Careers Month, my hope is that I can inspire others: whether you dream of performing, teaching, choreographing, or working behind the scenes, there is a place in this field for you. Dance is rich, demanding, and endlessly rewarding and there are SO many ways into it!
Daisy Wyatt
As part of Discover! Creative Careers Month, DanceEast will be posting a blogs, behind the scenes content and interviews with our team, exploring the breadth of roles within the dance/creative industry. Follow us on socials to keep up to date!
