SHARON WATSON  |  ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CHOREOGRAPHER

Trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance, Sharon danced with Spiral and Extemporary Dance Theatre before joining Phoenix as a dancer from 1989 to 1997. Whilst there she worked with choreographers such as Michael Clarke, Donald Byrd, Bebe Miller, Darshan Singh Bhuller and Philip Taylor. She was also heavily involved in Phoenix’s education programmes and delivery.

Sharon choreographed Never Still and Shaded Limits for Phoenix as well as creating new works for the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, National Youth Dance Company and Union Dance. In 1996 she choreographed a piece specially commissioned for the opening ceremony of the Royal Armouries in Leeds. Her own company ABCD was formed in 1998. Focusing largely on working with live music, ABCD has toured both nationally and internationally.

Returning to Phoenix in 2000 as the company’s Rehearsal and Tour Director, Sharon toured extensively in the UK and USA for 6 years. In 2006 she embarked upon a fellowship with the Clore Leadership Programme for which her secondment took her to the Sage Gateshead where she delivered a Choreographers and Composers course. Sharon also continued her freelance work mentoring emerging artists, lecturing in vocational dance schools and delivering bespoke training programmes.

Danced to Leeds Rhinos’ anthem Hold On, composed by Carl Davis, Sharon created and delivered Dancing with Rhinos in 2008 as part of the regional cultural Olympiad for Yorkshire. Forming part of the practice research for her Performance Works MA from Leeds Metropolitan University, the piece was based on the game of rugby and performed by a mixed group of professional dancers and members of the community.

In 2008 Sharon was one of 26 aspiring leaders from around the globe selected to attend Dance East’s fourth Rural Retreat, an intensive four day think-tank exploring the challenges of the role of Artistic Directors in the 21st century. Prior to taking up post at Phoenix she also spent eight months as Director of Learning and Access at Northern Ballet Theatre.

Sharon was appointed as the 7th Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre in May 2009 and in 2010 was named as one of the Cultural Leadership Programme’s Women to Watch, a list of 50 influential women working in arts and culture in the UK selected by a distinguished panel made up of figures from the cultural and creative industries. Since returning to the company Sharon has choreographed Fast Lane for Phoenix’s Ignite tour and re-worked Never Still into Never 2 Still. Her latest work Melt features as part of the Reflected mixed programme. In 2011 Sharon was one of the judges for the inaugural New Adventures Choreographer Award.  She is currently undertaking Leadership Advance, funded by Arts Council England.
 

LESLEY JACKSON  |  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A graduate of University of Leeds, Lesley’s management experience in the arts sector spans over 10 years working with companies including Lawrence Batley Theatre, Balbir Singh Dance Company and Hype Dance Company.

She spent three years as Executive Director at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds, where she played a major role in the development of First Floor, the company’s arts centre for young people before turning to consultancy work in arts management.

Lesley is instrumental in producing all aspects of the company’s extensive programme and is responsible for strategic direction, business planning and management, and programme booking.

The building momentum campaign, which will see Phoenix Dance Theatre move into a dedicated dance centre shared with Northern Ballet Theatre, is a crucial phase in Phoenix’s long-term growth and survival. Lesley will play a vital role in driving this project forward and leading the Company through the transition process.

Lesley joined Phoenix Dance Theatre as Executive Director in May 2009