Dance Artist

Sarah Lorraine Ferris

I have taught dance for over 15 years, specialising in ballet, contemporary, and creative sessions. I gained my diploma for teaching in the life-long learning sector (DTTLS) from the British Ballet Organisation. Working with children, young people and adults, I have taught in private schools, further education, community and pre-vocational settings. Alongside my teaching, I have regularly created performance work with adults and young people. 

As a dance practitioner, I am really keen to create the emotional safety needed for all participants to feel that they can be themselves in every class and feel seen and heard. 

My early dance experiences were with Swindon Dance, I then completed my dance training at The Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, cementing my love of both dance styles. 

I went on to perform as a core member of Swerve Dance Theatre Company, with Director Helen Ganberg for over ten years. I also worked on a variety of other professional performance projects, with choreographers such as Laila Diallo, Adrienne Hart of Neon Dance and Marie-Louise Flexen. My work as a dance artist, included tours of theatres, performance in festivals, outdoor events, site specific works, dance on film and collaborations with artists from other art forms. 

Alongside my work as a performer, has been a long association with Swindon Dance in many teaching, and administration/coordination roles. Including, as Programme Manager for the Swindon Dance Centre for Advanced Training, a pre-vocational programme for young people from 2016 to 2020. I continue to work with Swindon Dance as a freelance teacher. 

I continue to pursue projects as a dancer. With the main focus now on exploring creative ideas with other freelance artists.