Staff

Joined EFDSS
2008

Role
Overall responsible for organisational development and specific responsibility for the Artists’ Development Programme and the performance programme at Cecil Sharp House.  

Professional journey
Arts Management PG Dip, City University.
Senior positions at Chester Gateway Theatre, Arc Dance Company, Rambert Dance Company and Green Candle Dance Company.
Currently Trustee/Director of the National Music Council, a Director of Make Music Day UK and member of the Folk Advisory Committee for The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and of the ICOMOS Intangible Cultural Heritage committee.

When not at work
Sings with the Richmond Community Choir and volunteers with the London Wildlife Trust at her local nature reserve in South West London.

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Monday to Thursday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Joined EFDSS
2017

Role
Works with Katy Spicer to support the delivery of the Artists’ Development Programme.
Main point of contact for the bursary residencies and micro grants.

Professional journey
MA in Music Therapy (Distinction), University West of England.
The Agency Group as an Office Manager.
PA at Asylum Records, Warner Music.
First-Class degree in Music, LIPA.
Performed as a musician and singer with an indie folk band for 10 years following my degree and I continue to be a singer songwriter in my spare time.

When not at work
I enjoy running and being a part of a dancing group.

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Mondays and Tuesdays, 9.30am - 5pm

Joined EFDSS
2024

Role
Overall responsibility for the direction, implementation and delivery of all communications, marketing, media, digital and audience development activities.

Professional journey
Began career in theatre marketing in the West End, bringing radical new work to new audiences in the 1990s.
Continued working in arts and culture enjoying time at organisations including 12 years at Sadler’s Wells, as well as marketing and sales, promotions and comms roles at the British Film Institute, Park Theatre, Akram Khan Company and a host of clients as a freelance consultant. Experience has also included a seven-year stint in publishing (brand and marketing) as Time Out and News International.
Trustee for the Fiorentini Foundation.

When not at work
Discovering new plays, bands, festivals, art, culinary treats, birds and books. Being outdoors, and cycling, dancing, running and yoga.

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm

Joined EFDSS
2022

Role
I am responsible for marketing gigs and other events at Cecil Sharp House, including social media management, content creation, print design, email campaigns and event set-up and on-sale campaigns.

Professional journey
Studied English and Spanish, including a year in Mexico City. Worked as an English Language teaching assistant in Villavicencio, Colombia. Prior to my current role I was Marketing and Venue Sales Administrator until May 2023.

When not at work
Playing football, watching football, talking about women’s football on my podcast ‘Screamers’. Going to gigs, festivals, queer events. Trying new sports and making Spotify playlists. Hanging out with my sausage dog, Frida.

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Joined EFDSS
2024

Role
I’m the main point of contact for Members. Dance groups, professional musicians, or just people who are enthusiastic about folk and want to keep up to date via our EDS Magazine and newsletters.

Professional journey
I’ve worked in marketing for membership organisations before; Federation of British Artists, Association of Hospital Leagues of Friends. This is the first time I’m working directly with members, and I love it!

Previously I’ve specialised in marketing representational painting, at Mall Galleries and The Art Academy, so I have had quite a few painters paint my portrait over the years, although my flatmate won’t allow all the portraits to be hung in the living room.

When not at work
I’m watching morris dancing, or researching the history of Wesley Bones; horse vertebrae painted to look like John Wesley, founder of Methodism.

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Joined EFDSS
2020

Role
I oversee the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library and manage the library and archive team. My job involves overall strategy, budgeting, organising events, projects with other institutions, and representing the VWML externally, alongside everyday library tasks. I am also a member of EFDSS’ Senior Management Team.

Professional journey
Studied History at Cambridge University followed by an MA in Library and Information Studies at UCL. Started as a medical information specialist at the Royal Society of Medicine and St. George’s, University of London, before a stint as Learning Resources Manager at London Contemporary Dance School, and roles at King’s College London and UCL.

When not at work
Playing the flute in orchestras, singing, running, doing art, horse-riding, going to exhibitions/opera/ballet/theatre, making jewellery, cross-country skiing, going to the gym

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Joined EFDSS
2016/2017; May 2019 till present

Role
I sort through donations, accession them into our collection, and then add them to the catalogue. I also answer enquiries (from ‘What is this tune?’ to ‘Can I publish an image from your archive?’) and make tea. The latter is most important of all!

Professional journey
A few years after studying English Language at university I did a graduate traineeship at Lambeth Palace Library and then a postgrad in Library Studies. Since then, I have worked in school, university, public and specialist research libraries.

When not at work
Not at work? I sleep under the bust of Cecil! I’m a big fan of local museums, walks that end in the pub, crocheting things poorly, buying books I’m never going to read, and morris dancing.

Email
alex@efdss.org

Works on
Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Biography not available

Email
[email protected]

Works 
Part time 

Biography not available

Email
[email protected]

Works 
Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Biography not available

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Joined EFDSS
2023

Role
I run our busy building and manage the operations of the wide variety of events that we have here at the house. I also make sure that we’re looking to the future and ensuring that we are doing all we can to keep the building in the best shape possible.

Professional journey
BM in Viola and Oboe Performance, MA in Viola Performance. Throughout my studies I worked as a freelance musician and music tutor. I first came on board at EFDSS as a temporary Education Administrator, then a temporary Membership Coordinator, then a temporary Operations Manager, and the team really wanted to keep me on board full time, so finally I joined on a permanent basis as the Operations Manager in 2023!

When not at work
I still freelance as a violist, doing various orchestral gigs and depping on the west end, alongside being a music tutor. Otherwise, I enjoy cross stitching, reading, playing board and video games, and doing yoga!

Email
[email protected]

Works 
Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm

Biography not available

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Biography not available

Email
[email protected] 

Works 
Monday to Friday

Joined EFDSS
2008

Role
Overall responsibility and strategic overview for the learning and participation programme, including the National Youth Folk Ensemble.

Professional journey
Diploma in Ballet and Theatre Dance, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance.
MA Dance Education and Theatre (Work-based Learning), Middlesex University.
Senior education positions at Green Candle Dance Company and Akādemi South Asian Dance UK. Prior to that work as a dance artist and educator for various organisations including London Contemporary Dance Trust, Sadler’s Wells, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and Race Apart New Asian Dance Theatre. Extensive experience of working with D/deaf and disabled people in dance, and in cross-cultural dance.  Currently Chair of Camden Music’s Steering Group.

When not at work
Enjoys dancing, walking, attending performances in dance, music, theatre, and visual art.  Campaigns for health justice for people with ME.

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Monday to Friday, 10am - 6pm

Joined EFDSS
2024

Role
Oversees the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library and manages the library and archive team. Also a member of EFDSS’ Senior Management Team.

Professional journey
Music Education MA, UCL and PGCE Secondary Music, Roehampton University.
Freelance artist and music/singing educator.
Musical Director of Mazury Dance Company of the Polish YMCA in London.

When not at work
Lots of singing, arranging, reading, learning new languages and going to the gym.

Email
jadwiga@efdss.org

Works on
Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Joined EFDSS
2023

Role
I work as part of the Education team, organising EFDSS dance events like our fabulous New Year’s Eve ceilidh, and I’m lucky enough to be involved with the Folk Education Network, to run our dance mini-grants, and interface with other national dance bodies such as People Dancing and OneDanceUK.

Professional journey
I’ve been organising festivals and events in the folk dance world since I was a kid, and I’m also the Chair of Open Morris, one of the 3 national bodies that make up the Joint Morris Organisations. I also work supporting disabled young people and am passionate about accessibility and inclusion!

When not at work
You’ll find me morris or sword dancing, or doing something creative like baking, writing or drawing!

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Biography not available

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Biography not available

Email
[email protected]

Works 
Part time

Joined EFDSS
2024

Role
Education Administrator so making sure everything runs smoothly for our classes, courses, and other educational activities and resources. 

Professional journey
I studied music at Royal Holloway, with a focus on performance and composition, as well as several forays into folk music and ludomusicology. I then undertook an internship at Trinity Laban, and spent some time in an administrative role for a central London orchestra, before returning to the folk world, an original passion of mine, here at EFDSS.

When not at work
I am a keen cellist, an amateur writer, and a great enjoyer of board games.

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Joined EFDSS
2021

Role
Oversees the finances of EFDSS, including statutory and management accounts, VAT and taxes, budgeting and forecasting.

Professional journey
Qualified as a Chartered Accountant, after a Classics degree at Bristol University
14 years of financial management experience at various charities including ActionAid, The London Community Foundation, The Mozartists and SmartWorks, following training and audit roles at medium sized accounting firms.

When not at work
Has another finance role at a classical music charity, and trustee at a canoe and outdoor centre. Also sews, grows fruit and veg at an allotment, paddleboards and swims.

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Thursdays, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Joined EFDSS
2017

Role
Looking after the daily finances for the organisation and all that entails!

Professional journey
Studied English Literature before moving to working in Finance, initially for NHS and schools followed by a major festival operator (Festival Republic) and a world class orchestra (the LSO) before joining EFDSS.

When not at work
More than likely playing the drums, cooking, in the gym or walking my greyhound.

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm

Joined EFDSS
2017, as Marketing and Communications Director, changing to the current role in 2024.

Role
Responsible for all aspects of individual giving: ad-hoc and regular donations, membership, fundraising campaigns and bequests.

Professional journey
Started working life in Management Information reporting at a bank. 
Went on to spend nearly 20 years in charge of Marketing and Comms at the Royal Academy of Music, having been Administrator at the Society for the Promotion of New Music.
Now delivers freelance marketing for arts and cultural events alongside regular work for EFDSS.

When not at work
Exploring the beautiful and vibrant Calder Valley, home since summer 2024. Playing music with friends. Running.

Email
[email protected]

Works on
Two days a week, flexible hours (usually mornings, Mondays to Thursdays).