Dance Adjudicator

Kate was Janet Palmer’s first pupil and trained with her, and at Mayhew School, Northampton in RAD Ballet and ISTD Modern, Tap, National and Classical Greek, to Advanced level. She first entered the ‘Sunshines’ in 1966 and continued to compete in All England festivals until 1978. After studying for a degree in dance, she then worked as a professional dancer in London and abroad in the early 1980s, as well as acting in T.V. programmes including By the Sword Divided, Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Shine on Harvey Moon. She worked as a choreographer at The Royal Theatre in Northampton, before studying for a P.G.C.E as a dance specialist and then working as Head of Dance, Advisory Teacher of Dance, GCSE and A Level Dance examiner, and choreographer for a student touring dance company. Throughout the years Kate has maintained close contact with the festival movement, as a BIFF adjudicator, being on the committee for Northampton Festival, an organiser for the AED Midlands North regional finals, working as an adjudicator’s scribe and entering her own children successfully, which enables her to empathise with all of the people involved in festivals, whatever their role. Since 2018, Kate has worked as a Dance and Musical Theatre History Lecturer and a dissertation supervisor at Urdang Academy, London and thoroughly enjoys working with students in vocational training. She believes wholeheartedly in the value of dance festivals and the role they play in encouraging young dancers in gaining confidence, feeling supported and educated, making new friends, and striving for excellence.