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Inspiring excellence
The Team:
Great environments need great people.
HHD is led and taught by experienced dance professionals, educators, choreographers and practitioners who bring their knowledge, experience and passion into the studio.
Our teachers don’t simply deliver classes. They teach, challenge, encourage, question, support and nurture.
Because expertise matters. And so does the person delivering it.
Meet the HHD Team →
Meet The Team
Damian North - Artistic Director & Founder, Teacher/educator/chorographer/schools workshop leader
Damian trained at London Contemporary Dance School for a degree in Contemporary Dance and Choreography. He gained a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance as part of the 4D-dance Company and has worked extensively as a professional dancer and teacher throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe. Damian's performance experience underpins his approach to teaching, offering students advice on performance techniques through his lessons. Damian's classes focus on safe, high-energy, well-structured practice, based upon the Cunningham/Release technique. Damian Slade is our dance artist for The Centre for Advanced Training (CAT Scheme)
Teaching Experience
Damian has run workshops for dance companies throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe. He has devised dance degree courses and modules, that have been accredited by Chester University, Middlesex University and the University of Wales, and taught at UK universities, vocational dance schools and colleges, including: Stella Mann, The Place, Cambridge University, The Open University, Regents Theological College, All Nations Theological College, Peterborough Dance Agency, Impington Village College and Hertford Regional College.
email: dance@hothousedance.co.uk
Teaching Experience
Damian has run workshops for dance companies throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe. He has devised dance degree courses and modules, that have been accredited by Chester University, Middlesex University and the University of Wales, and taught at UK universities, vocational dance schools and colleges, including: Stella Mann, The Place, Cambridge University, The Open University, Regents Theological College, All Nations Theological College, Peterborough Dance Agency, Impington Village College and Hertford Regional College.
email: dance@hothousedance.co.uk
Kate Harrison - HHD Co Director. Youth Dance Lead Coordinator. Teacher/Educator/Choreographer
Kate trained in dance at Middlesex University. From there she went on to perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before moving to French Alps and completing two ski seasons as a chalet host. She then went travelling for 6 months before completing a summer season as a floor manager in public house in the ChanneI Islands. On her return home she returned to dance teaching in local schools in Hertfordshire.
After volunteering at a local charity, she trained in wheelchair dance instructor and became national grass roots trainer for the charity. Enjoying charity work, Kate went on to work in Borneo as a logistics co-ordinator and project manager for a youth charity working on remote projects with young people from different nations. Realising her love for working and helping people she came back to the UK and worked for a youth employability charity helping 16-24-year olds to get back into work or education, but used the medium of dance to improve their confidence. From there Kate continued as a project manager at a youth hub in London as well as co-ordinating and teaching for a youth dance company. She has also taught in various school settings and just enjoys dancing, helping and working with people!
email: dance@hothousedance.co.uk
After volunteering at a local charity, she trained in wheelchair dance instructor and became national grass roots trainer for the charity. Enjoying charity work, Kate went on to work in Borneo as a logistics co-ordinator and project manager for a youth charity working on remote projects with young people from different nations. Realising her love for working and helping people she came back to the UK and worked for a youth employability charity helping 16-24-year olds to get back into work or education, but used the medium of dance to improve their confidence. From there Kate continued as a project manager at a youth hub in London as well as co-ordinating and teaching for a youth dance company. She has also taught in various school settings and just enjoys dancing, helping and working with people!
email: dance@hothousedance.co.uk
Michael Joseph - Street Dance 4Boys Teacher
Michael Joseph trained at Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance, and Dance Theatre of Harlem School. He has worked nationally and internationally as a choreographer, dance artist and DSLR dance filmmaker, and is a teacher with a wealth of experience and expertise.
Michael's movement language is a fusion of strong Contemporary Dance technique with Martial Arts, African Brazilian Capoeira, B Boying and Urban Dance. Digital Technology has also been at the core of much of his work and training.
As a choreographer, Michael's work is inspired by an eclectic mix of the plethera of choreographers he has worked with, including Bill T.Jones, Doug Elkins, Rafael Bonachela, Laurie Booth, B Boys, Axè (Capoeirista), Tom Jobe and Derek Williams. Michael's work Mass Equilibria in the Sea of Tranquillity (from Dance Tek Warriors) has become a set piece on the GCSE Dance Syllabus, crystallising his significance and influence as a choreographer. Digital imagery and film are key elements of the majority of his choreographic works.
Teaching Experience
In 2008, after leaving his position as Assistant Artistic Director with Union Dance, Michael focused upon developing his career as an Independent Dance Artist. Opportunities in both community and educational settings quickly followed and he has choreographed for the University of Bedfordshire, Union Dance, ADAD, Nubian Steps and State of Emergency: The Mission Tour, and worked with youth companies at DanceDigital, Swindon Dance and Paddington Arts Centre.
In school settings Michael has worked at Comberton Village College, Cambridge, and Barnwell School in Stevenage, teaching and choreographing works for their students.
Most recently, Michael was a youth facilitator for Flip The Script, a workshop based project using Dance and Film, designed to help young people make positive life choices.
Michael's movement language is a fusion of strong Contemporary Dance technique with Martial Arts, African Brazilian Capoeira, B Boying and Urban Dance. Digital Technology has also been at the core of much of his work and training.
As a choreographer, Michael's work is inspired by an eclectic mix of the plethera of choreographers he has worked with, including Bill T.Jones, Doug Elkins, Rafael Bonachela, Laurie Booth, B Boys, Axè (Capoeirista), Tom Jobe and Derek Williams. Michael's work Mass Equilibria in the Sea of Tranquillity (from Dance Tek Warriors) has become a set piece on the GCSE Dance Syllabus, crystallising his significance and influence as a choreographer. Digital imagery and film are key elements of the majority of his choreographic works.
Teaching Experience
In 2008, after leaving his position as Assistant Artistic Director with Union Dance, Michael focused upon developing his career as an Independent Dance Artist. Opportunities in both community and educational settings quickly followed and he has choreographed for the University of Bedfordshire, Union Dance, ADAD, Nubian Steps and State of Emergency: The Mission Tour, and worked with youth companies at DanceDigital, Swindon Dance and Paddington Arts Centre.
In school settings Michael has worked at Comberton Village College, Cambridge, and Barnwell School in Stevenage, teaching and choreographing works for their students.
Most recently, Michael was a youth facilitator for Flip The Script, a workshop based project using Dance and Film, designed to help young people make positive life choices.
Yolanda Robson - Youth Dance Teacher & Choreographer. Strength & Conditioning Lead
“Yolanda joined Hot House Dance as a student in 2015 and 2023 began assisting with CAT Connect.
Yolanda’s dance journey started 18 years ago and her dance training began with HHD at 12 years old, where she went through all the youth programmes… Including CAT ! Meanwhile, through the CAT Partnership - The Place, LCDS - she trained on the London CAT course for 5 years before graduating at 18.
During her training in London Yolanda has done an array of performances as collaborations between London CAT & professional companies such as: Avant Garde’s ‘Fagin’s Twist’ part of the overture cast, Luke Brown Company, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Bgroup Dance. Whilst studying at university, she has performed as apart of Saracen’s Performance Team for ‘The Showdown 3’ in London.
Yolanda is excited to share her experiences, guide, and unravel the potential of today’s youth creatives!”
Yolanda’s dance journey started 18 years ago and her dance training began with HHD at 12 years old, where she went through all the youth programmes… Including CAT ! Meanwhile, through the CAT Partnership - The Place, LCDS - she trained on the London CAT course for 5 years before graduating at 18.
During her training in London Yolanda has done an array of performances as collaborations between London CAT & professional companies such as: Avant Garde’s ‘Fagin’s Twist’ part of the overture cast, Luke Brown Company, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Bgroup Dance. Whilst studying at university, she has performed as apart of Saracen’s Performance Team for ‘The Showdown 3’ in London.
Yolanda is excited to share her experiences, guide, and unravel the potential of today’s youth creatives!”
Join the Team
Hot House Dance are keen to hear from you
if you have a heart for nurturing and developing people... forward your CV to dance@hothousedance.co.uk
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