About Us
Hello, nice to meet you!
We get how movement makes you feel. We understand that dancing brings pure, simple joy for many. Sometimes you want to improve, develop, and perform on a professional stage and sometimes, you just want to dance and have fun.
We just want to move. If you feel the same… this is the place for you!
At Union of Dance, we celebrate each one of our wonderful dancers, offering nourishing and enriching experiences for people throughout West and North Yorkshire.
We’re passionate about creativity, we help people grow in confidence as well as in technical ability and offer regular performance opportunities both in house and as part of high-quality dance platforms and festivals.
We believe that it’s fun to mix things up and try new things, which is why we offer even our youngest dancers as many styles and creative opportunities as possible throughout the year, whether that be at the weekly classes, at a holiday camp or as part of an intergenerational project. We often collaborate with film makers, musicians, media make-up artists and even skaters.
Every person who collaborates or teaches with Union of Dance has that special something. A way with people, a fun loving, caring spirit, with a fierce love of the arts. They are exceptional, passionate, and super engaging people.
Safeguarding and physical and mental wellbeing of everyone involved with Union of Dance is priority. We work directly with children, young adults, and vulnerable people so naturally, all teachers/guest artists have DBS certificates, public liability insurance and have trained in dance or their own specialism to a professional level.
Our core team have trained and are leaders in first aid, young people’s mental health and accessible practice.
“Thank you so much for everything you do the girls love dancing with you. Even just walking up to get the certificate last night Emily wouldn't have done not long ago, her confidence has grown so much with all of your encouragement!”
Meet the team
BA (Hons) Dance and Related Arts, PGCE, QTLS
“I set up Union of Dance with the vision of creating spaces for everyone to dance. I am so proud of the special community we have built. One that keeps growing yet retains the original ethos and vision… to offer creative experiences in the community that are accessible, equal, and joyful”.
Ruth believes in the power of the arts and how community connections through the arts transcended age, experience, or previous opportunity. She is passionate about the benefits to health and wellbeing and strives to offer accessible and diverse dance within education, to help our children grow into caring, well-rounded people.
Ruth has danced since the age of 2 and trained professionally at internationally recognised organisations, gaining a BA (Hons). She has a wealth of industry experience, including performing and choreographing across the UK and Europe.
Ruths focus is on facilitating dance in the community and in education, which she has done for 20 years. She is a qualified teacher (QTLS) and delivers in early years, primary, secondary, and further education.
Alongside running Union of Dance, Ruth regularly works with National arts organisations on a diverse range of community engagement and community dance projects.
Clients include projects for Leeds Playhouse, The Performance Ensemble, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Yorkshire Dance, Leeds 2023, The York and North Yorkshire Dance Hub, Harrogate College, Leeds University School of Design, Northern Ballet, and many primary and secondary schools throughout West and North Yorkshire.
In May 23, Ruth completed an artist development training programme, ‘Overture: and continues to be supported by Matthew Bournes, New Adventures.
“I love how diverse my career has been and I have been lucky enough to work with incredible people, across all walks of life. I quickly build relationships with people, make others feel at ease and love working collaboratively. Community Dance is my passion and positively impacting others is my drive”.
Ruth Johnson (Director)
Sarah Hadfield–Abosch
Sarah is a contemporary dance educator. She holds a first-class honours degree in contemporary dance from Leeds Beckett University. She has trained in dance from the age of 2 in a wide variety of styles and is highly passionate about the arts. She has also been teaching dance for over 8 years.
Sarah has partaken in many shows throughout her career; including performing at london theatres such as the Royal Albert Hall, Sadlers Wells & Her Majesty’s Theatre. During the 2022 season, Sarah was also a cheerleader for Huddersfield Giants Rugby team.
One of her greatest passions is creating a positive and encouraging environment within dance classes. She firmly believes that fostering a supportive atmosphere is essential for students to thrive and reach their full potential. She strives to inspire and motivate students, helping them discover their unique styles and ways of moving whilst developing strong foundations in dance technique.
Kieron Faller
Kieron Faller is a freelance dancer based in Leeds. He studied at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and he graduated with his degree in 2021. Since then, Kieron has been teaching at NSCD for BA1 and the CertHe Cultural Dance Forms course. He also works for the Centre for Advanced Training scheme, teaching education outreach workshops all across yorkshire. Kieron teaches freelance for Phoenix Dance Theatre, leads regular community classes at Left Bank Leeds and works with various collaborators in the dance scene. He has been travelling all across Europe, winning over 12 Breaking events with Primal Instincts Crew in countries including Spain, France and Portugal. Kieron aims to continue performing at the highest level and inspire the next generation. He is enjoying his freelance career; teaching, performing and creating and he can’t wait to share his work with everyone.
Kieron teaches on the Blaze Boys project and in our education programmes and holiday camps.
Emily Maskill
Emily is a dance teaching assistant at Union of Dance. She has been dancing (and loving it!) since the age of 5 in a range of dance styles from ballet to modern jazz.
Since stepping onto the dance floor, she knew she wanted to spend as much time as possible just dancing! Dance creates such a positive, inspiring, collaborative environment where everyone is celebrated for their uniqueness, just like at Union of Dance!
Emily assists with weekly classes, shows and holiday camps and is also undertaking A levels and progressing shortly on to University, to study Psychology.