Founder Teacher

Alison is an experienced teacher of dance. Alison began her career as a graduate scientist. A love of working with children took Alison to the classroom as a primary school teacher.

Since her first taste of ballet at age of 3 she has been addicted to dance ever since. This took Alison in 2002, to become an Associate of the National Association of Teachers of Dance (NATD), and is now an experienced teacher of dance and classical ballet. Through her dance teaching Alison has taught all ages of school children, both mainstream and specialist. Being involved in dance groups such as Eden Dance, Cool Katz and Super Troupers, and creating ‘Exonics’ project combining phonics with dance. Alison has kept her ties to education through her tenth year as governor at Mayfield primary school.

Alison believes the value of dance is life long and doesn’t limit her teaching to children, she also provides a ‘Ballet Workout’ for adults who have not had the pleasure of experiencing a dance lesson. Alison continues to attend weekly ballet classes for her own benefit

Teacher

Eleanor began training in Street and Commercial dance at the age of 13 with a troupe called Kollection. She went on to study Performing and Production Arts in college, then furthered her education with a HNC in Performing Arts. In 2023 she gained her Level 4 teaching qualification with BBO Dance. Eleanor has been with Radiates for two years and is looking forward to many more!

What Eleanor says about teaching: “I am a perpetual student – I just love learning, so that I can pass that onto my students. My favourite moments in dance are when the movement or the idea suddenly clicks and nothing else matters, it’s a wonderful feeling and I’m incredibly lucky to witness it with each child as I support them on their dance journeys.“

Teacher

Chrissie started Ballet classes at the age of 3yrs which is and  then went on to learn Modern, Tap, Disco Freestyle, Rock n Roll, Street Dance and Ballroom & Latin. At 10yrs old, Chrissie channelled her love for dance into Disco Freestyle, Rock n Roll and Ballroom & Latin and went on to compete around the country at both Amateur and Professional levels.

Chrissie attended The Lane School of Dance where she completed her teacher training and become an Associate Dance Teacher of the ISTD. After graduation, she started own school, Cam Dance. While expanding Cam Dance a mutual friend introduced Chrissie to Imogen. She taught Street Dance and Ballroom & Latin for both children and adults at Colours of Dance as well as venues around Cambridge for over 12yrs, before joining the Radiates team.

Chrissie has been with the Radiates team for about 4yrs. All her experience from a 30-year dance teaching career has really prepared her for the planning and teaching for Radiates. Chrissie reports getting a real buzz out of these classes as the programme really works within a school environment with children of all abilities. She loves being part of the team and working with the programme to produce professional and fun classes for the children each week.

Teacher

Grace started dancing at the age of 5 at her local dance school where she found her love and passion for dance. While attending the dance school, up until the age of 18, she achieved all her grades in RAD Ballet and ISTD Tap and Modern. At the age of 16 she began vocational training to gain a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performance Arts with a triple distinction at Stage Right Performing Arts College. Grace then continued her studies at The Centre Performing Arts College where she began her teaching qualifications for DDE in Tap and Modern.

Grace has always had a passion for teaching from a young age and has aspired to teach with enthusiasm, patience and kindness. She has been a teacher for Radiates for two years, and enjoys being part of a team that shares the same values.

Founder/CEO/Trustee

Imogen Knight is a multi-disciplinary dance teacher and Principal of Colours of Dance.  She brought together the people who created Colours of Dance Radiates. Fiercely committed to making access to dance as easy as possible for anyone and to those students having access to the best quality teachers, Imogen works hard within her profession to help teachers in search of training.  She offers mentorship and a supportive working environment within her school, and undertakes regular training as part of her own professional development. Imogen is a Trustee of the Royal Academy of Dance. 

Trustee

Adrian Parton MBE is a serial entrepreneur who has founded multiple companies focused mainly in the healthcare and life science sectors and is actively involved as a Director/Chairman in 6 businesses. He is also Chairman of a Charity called Redlist Revival acting mainly in a corporate governance and mentoring role to the founder. In 2011 Adrian received an MBE from the Queen for Services to Microbiology, primarily as a result of technologies that he invented that allowed the UK government to regulate water quality for detection of parasites in drinking water, and also novel methods for detection of pathogens like Salmonella. Adrian has five children, four of which have been very actively involved in dance and creative arts for many years.

Trustee

Eva Acs has a range of experience in working in public sector organisations and charities in different countries. She has contributed to several local and national initiatives, projects and publications. She has an extensive background in service development and commissioning, performance, contract and project management and operational processes. She is demanding when it comes to implementing change and measuring impact. She is action-focused, accustomed to prioritising and balancing multiple tasks confidently. She is a trained social worker, trainer in safeguarding and a health promotion specialist. Her pursuits in community social work and inclusion made her interested in supporting Radiates and its impact for children, young people and families. 

Trustee

Gerard Charles has spent his entire career in dance and is currently the Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Dance. Born in Folkestone, Gerard received his early dance training locally and then at the Royal Ballet School. As a professional dancer, his career started at Ballet International before moving to Milwaukee Ballet and BalletMet. Since retiring from the stage as a principal dancer, he has served as Education Director for Ballet Met Columbus; Ballet Master for BalletMet and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens; Artistic Director of BalletMet and Director of Artistic Operations at Joffrey Ballet. Gerard has choreographed and staged works internationally and received an NEA Choreographic Fellowship. His appointment as Artistic Director of the RAD in September 2018 reflects his serious interest in developing young dancers and making dance available to a wide range of participants.

Trustee

Steven Bishop brings to the board of trustees knowledge and practical experience in medicine, alongside child protection, safeguarding, data protection and business. He was educated at Queens’ College, University of Cambridge graduating with degrees in Computer Science and Medicine. During his medical career, Steven specialised in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care which he balanced with research as an Academic Clinical Fellow and Specialist Registrar at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Steven is a fellow of both the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Higher Education Academy. He has experience in data science research investigating the pathophysiology of critical illness, has previously founded a healthcare education technology startup and currently works as Head of Analytic Strategy and Artificial Intelligence at CMR Surgical. As the father of two young girls that adore dance, coupled with a deep appreciation of the importance of promoting the physical, psychological and social well-being of all children, he is committed and passionate about delivering Colours of Dance Radiates mission.