Rosa Shreeves is a highly experienced and innovative dance artist who has performed to and taught a wide range of children and adults throughout the UK and abroad (Spain, Greece, Italy, Mexico and Guatemala) in a variety of situations indoors and out. She works with performance, choreography and creative workshops including collaborations with musicians and composers.

“Rosa inspires children and teachers alike...” Jay Burton, Deputy Head, The William Hogarth School, Chiswick, London

“Thank you for your wonderful performance and workshop. The children really enjoyed it and were inspired to make their own stories and dance them, with particular focus on changing characters and parts as you did.” Cecilia Macfarlane, Oxford Dance Forum

“It was lovely to see you interact with the children and how enthusiastically and creatively they responded to you.” Stewart McKenzie, General Adviser, Physical Education West Sussex

Rosa is also a holistic dance therapist. Her belief is in the educative and transformative power of dance “as a vehicle for expressing concerns and beliefs and as a powerful vehicle for human expression. Each session is a time for deepening awareness and discovery.” Children Dancing Rosamund Shreeves 1990

Her current programme for 6 - 10 year old children is based on a performance of ROOTS, a story dance with a colourful blend of images, movement and words that connect to indigenous beliefs about the natural world. This can also be enacted in Spanish and has been the focus of a cultural exchange between a school in Guatemala and one in the UK. Children are captivated by the contrasts and immediacy of this accessible, short performance. It includes audience participation and can be followed by a workshop for a class sized group with an emphasis on:

• Communication through movement

• Involving mind, body, imagination and feelings

• Self expression, self esteem and empathy

• Creativity and clarity

• Linking to other aspects of the curriculum, particularly language, art, creative writing, music and voice

• Discussion with the teachers involved

Below is a poem by a young pupil from the dance project at Castlewood School, West Sussex.

Flower’s Wish

I’m a flower, I feel so free

I’m a flower dying slowly

I fly with wind and skip with the breeze

I’m bowing with the slightest ease

I will die, now I’m dead

With my sad and bowing head.

Key information

• CRB checked and full public liability insurance
• Member of Community Dance Foundation, Dance UK and ADMP
• Author of Children Dancing and Imaginary Dances, and co-author of Moves
• Flexible Workshops
• Links to Curriculum and intercultural ideas
• Available Central, West, North and South London