Candoco

Our Team

Last Shelter by Janine Durning, 2021. Photo: Hugo Glendinning

Candoco is the sum of many parts. The individuals that make up our team are essential to ensure the smooth running of the organisation.

We’re small but we make a big impact. Bringing skills from a variety of industries and backgrounds, the team at Candoco is dedicated to the belief that dance is better when difference is celebrated. We aim to exceed the expectations of our audiences and participants, to promote equitable practices and give visibility to more disabled creatives.

Team

Toni Adebajo (she/her)

Governance Secretary

I am the Governance Secretary at Candoco and a freelance access consultant. I have an MA in Arts and Cultural Management from King's College London.
0207 704 6845

Will Bridgland (he/him)

Administrator

I am an arts producer and administrator who works across contemporary dance and performance practices.
0207 704 6845
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Tom Curteis (he/him)

Interim Lead: Performance & Commissions

I’m a freelance international cultural producer who loves bringing people and ideas together to create and tour ambitious, interdisciplinary projects.
0207 704 6845

Maka Marambio de la Fuente (they/them)

Interim Lead: Access & Equity

I am a queer, disabled, Latinx access creative and consultant. I focus on creating structures that welcome more disabled people in the arts and work life.
0207 704 6845

Lucie Mirkova (she/her)

Lead: Skills & Leadership

I am Lead for Skills and Leadership at Candoco, where I shape programmes that support artists and aspiring leaders to develop their practice and build sustainable careers, and work with organisations and practitioners to develop inclusive and sustainable ways of working.
0207 704 6845

Melanie Precious (she/her)

Executive Director

My route into leadership came via performance: I performed professionally with Matthew Bourne's Adventures in Motion Pictures, ENO and at the Royal Opera House amongst others, before moving into teaching and then into the organisational side of the sector.
020 7704 6845
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Louisa Sutherland (she/her)

Company Producer

I’ve held a range of roles at Candoco and now work as Company Producer. My background spans access coordination and education, underpinned by a foundation in contemporary dance.
0207 704 6845

Lucy White (she/her)

Interim Lead: Marketing & Audiences

I am a freelance arts marketing consultant with over 20 years’ experience working in the industry.
0207 704 6845

Board

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Maria Anastase

Board Member

Maria is a passionate supporter of the arts, with an extensive career leading Risk Management, Sustainability Strategy, and Corporate Social Responsibility functions in the international corporate and investment banking sector.
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Ben Evans

Board Member

Ben is a disabled arts manager and accessible cultural policy consultant. Following 12 years working for the British Council, Ben is now the Project Director of Europe Beyond Access, the world’s largest trans-national Arts & Disability programme.
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Rachel Evans

Board Member

Rachel has extensive experience working as an engagement producer and consultant for numerous arts organisations, touring companies, festivals, charities and for the local government. 
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Sarah Howard

Board Member

Sarah’s career has spanned three decades across the world of theatre and dance, including Sadler’s Wells, Park Theatre, Unlimited, 2012 Cultural Olympiad and Candoco - managing its education programme from 2000 to 2006.
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Beth Lewis

Board Member

Beth is an experienced HR and leadership development professional, executive coach, and former HR Director. Passionate about inclusion and equity, Beth supports individuals and organisations to thrive through purposeful people practices.
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Kez Margrie

Board Member

Kez brings her extensive experience at the BBC in directing, producing and commissioning TV content to the Candoco Board. She is a multi-award-winning content creator with a commitment to working with those who are underrepresented in the arts.
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Patrick McGeough

Board Member & Vice Chair

Patrick has worked within the exercise, movement, and dance sectors, drawing on his knowledge and lived experience as a participant, instructor, and CEO in the field.
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Ash Nandi

Board Member & Treasurer

Ash is an Investment Researcher at a bulge bracket Investment Bank and a qualified Chartered Accountant. She was appointed as Candoco's Trustee and Treasurer in June 2024 and was matched to the role by RIAC.
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Kirsten Vaughan

Board Member

Kirsten’s career has covered private, public and charity sectors with a focus on people and operational efficiency. Her experience covers service improvement, transformation and project management.
Headshot of Sharon Watson, Candoco's new Chair, smiling gently while resting her chin on her hand. She wears a black jumper and silver earrings.

Sharon Watson MBE DL

Board Member & Chair

Sharon Watson MBE, DL, is a trailblazing figure in the world of contemporary dance, celebrated for her exceptional contributions as CEO and Principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

Strategic Consultancy

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Fresh Eyes Finance

Accountancy & Bookkeeping

Candoco outsources its finance function to Fresh Eyes Finance, an organisation led by Brian Dorgan FCCA.

Robert Filkins IT4Arts

A familiar face to organisations and charities across the arts sector, Robert provides IT advice and support to Candoco, from Google Drive and email to backups, new users, and everything in between.

Davina Ebikeme

Partnerships

Davina works with Candoco to build partnerships with people and organisations who share our belief that disabled makers and their work deserve to be celebrated and seen.

Lynda Harwood-Compton – Latch Fundraising

Fundraising Consultant

Lynda is an award-winning fundraising consultant with international experience working with charities to develop and grow their income.

Nadine Patel

Creative Consultant

A creative consultant with over 30 years of experience supporting artists and arts organisations, Nadine works across borders and barriers, bringing expertise in facilitation, evaluation, strategic planning, and policy.

Caroline Sharp

External Financial Advisor

Caroline worked with us to review and strengthen our finance procedures, and continues to support us on an ad hoc basis, providing expert advice and support on all things charity finance, working closely with the Executive Director and FreshEyes Finance.

Purple Goat

Marketing Agency

An inclusive marketing agency working with some of the biggest brands in the world to create incredibly representative, innovative and authentic marketing campaigns.

Robert James

Press & PR

Robert is a communications consultant specialising in dance. With over 13 years’ experience, he has worked with some of the world’s leading arts and cultural organisations. He is temporarily covering the role of communications with Lucy White.

Candoco Teaching Artists

Vanessa Abreu. A smiling woman with dark hair is wearing a dark blue jumper. We can just see a white tshirt with black strips appearing at the neckline

Vanessa Abreu

Candoco Teaching Artist

Vanessa is a Portuguese/Mozambican dance artist, teacher, yoga instructor and nutritional therapist based in London.
Susanna Dye. Susanna has pale blue eyes and dark hair. They are wearing a black tshirt with a white collar.

Xan Dye

Candoco Teaching Artist

Xan's practice is unfolding from questioning how they can dismantle the access barriers they experience to dance as a neurodivergent artist.
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Bel Eade

Candoco Teaching Artist

Bel (they/them) is a neuroqueer movement artist and SEN support worker, born and bred in South East London
Dermot Farrell. A smiling headshot of a dancer with short red hair and black framed glasses. He is wearing a black tshirt.

Dermot Farrell

Candoco Teaching Artist

Dermot is a teaching artist for the company. He previously attended Candoco's weekly class programme and attended many of the company's professional training and development workshops.
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Kitty Fedorec

Candoco Teaching Artist

Kitty has worked as a professional freelance dance artist and creator, and since 2011 has worked with Candoco as an associate artist.
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Billy Gigurtsis

Candoco Teaching Artist

Billy is an interdisciplinary choreographer and performer based in London. His practice sits at the intersection of movement, systems, and technology.
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Mirabelle Haddon

Candoco Teaching Artist

Mirabelle is a dance artist and performance maker working at the intersection of dance and performance art.
Caroline Lofthouse. A headshot of a smiling person with short blonde slicked back hair

Caroline Lofthouse

Candoco Teaching Artist

Caroline is a dance artist who works as a performer, educator / facilitator, choreographer and movement director.
Corinne Meredith. A headshot of a smiling person with tied back light brown tightly curled hair

Corinne Meredith

Candoco Teaching Artist

Corinne is a Community Dance and Theatre Artist with an MA in Text and Performance Studies from King's College London and RADA and a Postgraduate Diploma in Community Dance from Trinity Laban.
Paulina Porwollik. A headshot of a smiling person with long blonde hair wearing a white v necked tshirt

Paulina Porwollik

Candoco Teaching Artist

Paulina Porwollik is originally from Hamburg, Germany. She has been working as a professional contemporary dancer for several years in the UK and throughout Europe.
Hannah Raynor. A headshot of a smiling person with long reddish brown hair who is wearing a black t-shirt

Hannah Raynor

Candoco Teaching Artist

Hannah is a dancer, teacher and actor with a passion for the arts being accessible to all. Hannah has performed on Strictly Come Dancing, Saturday Night Takeaway and both Wicked Films.
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Ania Varez

Candoco Teaching Artist

Ania Varez (they/them) is a Venezuelan dance artist, performer and facilitator based in Bristol, making generous performances that live in-between the sociopolitical and the poetic.
Ted Wilkinson. A headshot of a person wearing a grey tshirt and short brown hair and stubble

Ted Wilkinson

Candoco Teaching Artist

Ted is a dancer and performer based in Manchester. They have a background in contemporary dance technique, accessible teaching and performance art.
Ophir Yaron. A headshot of a smiling person wearing a black tshirt and with black hair tied up in a messy bun

Ophir Yaron

Candoco Teaching Artist

Jay is looking into the camera with a blue background behind them. They have short pink hair and they are wearing a black vest top with some silver necklaces.

Jay Yule

Candoco Teaching Artist

Jay works as a dancer, choreographer and teacher. Jay fosters inclusivity into the way they create, making art which can be viewed by anyone with the hope of imparting a sense of activism from watching.