Want to maximise the time you spend in the studio and create your strongest work yet?
Our promise to you
In this training you will learn how to hold onto your artistic vision while creating space for brilliant collaborations.
You will do the work of getting to know yourself better, developing the support structures you need, and understanding the legal aspects of being a fair and responsible employer.
You will learn how to communicate better, navigate conflict and build resilience, not by ploughing on until breaking point, but by allowing challenges and conflict to strengthen the relationships you build with your team.
Right now you might feel like you are carrying immense pressure, often without ever having been taught how to handle it.
We’re here to change that.
The format
This is a 6-week online course created by and for dance professionals. Curated by leadership coach and choreographer Neus Gil Cortes, and shaped with input from over 60 artists, you will be learning from specialists in leadership, strategy, health, and conflict engagement.
The course will take around 4 hours per week. Through a mix of flexible learning, peer support, and live masterclasses led by coaches and experts in the dance sector, you’ll gain practical tools, reflective frameworks, and mentoring guidance.
You will get:
- Weekly content (such as podcasts, TED Talks, and articles) to explore in your own time
- 2-hour online live masterclasses with guest specialists every Friday 8:30am-10:45am UK (London time) except for Dana Caspersen session (see schedule below). These sessions are all recorded and available to watch for 3 months afterwards).
- A private LinkedIn group for peer connection.
Flexible and affordable, you can tune in from anywhere in the world!
Schedule- All times listed are UK time
oct
26-30
Week 1- Who are you as a leader?
Led by Isabel Mortimer
Live session: Friday 30 October 8:30-10:45am on zoom
nov
2-6
Week 2- Understanding your legal responsibilities
Led by Equity officer Lottie Stables and One Dance UK Chief Executive Andrew Hurst
Live session: Friday 6 November 8:30- 10:45am on zoom
nov
9-13
Week 3- Creating structures of care
Led by Charlie Brittain
Live session: Friday 13 November 8:30-10:45am on zoom
nov
16-20
Week 4- Collaborating and managing studio dynamics
Led by Neus Gil Cortes
Live session: Friday 20 November 8:30-10:45am on zoom
nov
23-27
Week 5- Constructive conflict in creative processes
Led by Dana Caspersen
Live session: Friday 27 November 12:30-2:45pm on zoom. Please note the different time!!
nov/dec
30-4
Week 6- Strategies for the future
Led by Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu
Live session: Friday 4 December 8:30-10:45am on zoom
hear from previous participants
Testimonials
I’d recommend it to anyone leading in any capacity, not just dance makers
I almost didn’t book the course because I worried about the cost and the time investment it required. I wasn’t sure if it would be worth it.
What surprised me most about this work was the clarity of the learning and the direct application to our day-to-day practices and choreographic processes. The way we engaged in each session made it easy to implement the concepts immediately. How quickly I could see results was truly eye-opening.
The moment everything changed was when I realised that I could apply research and learnings that not only supported my intuitive practices but also challenged me to rethink how to manage studio and rehearsal time.
★★★★★
Johnny Autin
A course where you can both learn and put ideas into practice
The biggest difference for me is that I now feel more comfortable with the idea of being a leader, and that leadership feels like a colourful title rather than a rigid one.
The courses were guided in an open, supportive, and spacious way, allowing room for personal realisations. What surprised me most about this work was how quickly everything came together, and how natural and coherent the progression of the courses felt.
I would recommend Lead&Create courses to anyone who is ready to create in healthy, confident conditions, with awareness throughout the process.
★★★★★
Eliane Roumie
So needed
Lead&Create with Neus offered exactly what independent dance needs right now- reflective space, practical support and honest artist dialogue.
★★★★★
Kesha Raithatha
This was everything I hoped for
I’m deep into the rehearsal process for my next creation. I am using so many of the tools I learned from the Leadership course. Thank you. It has made an enormous impact on my confidence and how I show up.
★★★★★
Marika Brussel
Absolutely Inspiring
Thank you for putting together such an incredible experience! These weeks were absolutely inspiring – each speaker brought so much knowledge and passion. It really reinforced for me how crucial this kind of insight is. Being a great creative isn’t just about the work itself but also about learning how to effectively lead a room full of creatives.
★★★★★
Stephen Moynihan
It’s an intense shot of inspiration and validation that is worth the investment in money and time.
A bespoke course directly addressing the leadership challenges of the choreographer, which is welcoming and relevant to those creating movement in a range of settings, genres and careers stages.
The quality of facilitation and content from the speakers was really high quality and everyone involved is clearly very knowledgeable and experienced. Immediately I trusted the “room” and felt open to learning and development. I didn’t expect the calibre of materials and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to get involved.
Thank you for such a nurturing and helpful experience.
★★★★★
Melanie Bradford
Early Bird
£135
Finished
Full Price
£185
Bookings are now closed
Concessions
£90
Sold out
Bonus 1
group COACHING session
A space to explore your specific issues or areas of interest in a group environment facilitated by Neus Gil Cortes.
Only for course participants.
Friday 11th December 8:30-10:45am
£20
Bonus 2
tourbooking and partnership building
Join Richard Chappell to learn practical tools and relationship building skills with venues and programmers.
Open to all.
Friday 27 November 8:30-10:45am
£25 if booked with course
£37 independent bookings
Our Speakers
Week 3- Charlie Brittain
Integrative Health Coach/Paramedic. Rehearsal director Scottish Dance Theatre.
Week 4- Neus Gil Cortes
Leadership and Relational Dynamics Coach. Artistic director Nua Dance.
Week 5- Dana Caspersen
Conflict Engagement Specialist. Former dancer at William Forsythe Company.
Week 6- Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu
Lighter Leadership™ Coach. Artistic director Uchenna Dance
This is your chance to transform the way you lead, the way you work and the experience you create for everyone around you.
Join us, and get the tools to make your most ambitious projects your most successful yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can’t make some of the live sessions?
No worries! All sessions will be recorded and available to watch for 3 months after the date of the session, so you can catch up when it suits you.
How much time commitment does the course require?
The course will take around 4 hours per week. Two hours are for self-study, where you’ll dive into material provided each week (such as podcasts, TED Talks, and articles). You can access this material on the weekly course page. The other 2 hours are for the live sessions on Fridays.
Is there any access provision?
We are committed to making the course as accessible as possible. However, as this is an independently run course, we may not have funds for additional support like BSL interpreters or support workers. Please contact us with your access needs, and we will do our best to accommodate them.
How does the course work?
Each week, you’ll receive an email with a link and password to access the upcoming week’s content on our website. On the page, you’ll find materials relevant to the week’s topic along with an exercise to complete at your own pace. Every Friday, there will be a 2-hour live Zoom session with a guest speaker. These sessions include a presentation, group exercises, a 15-minute break, and a Q&A at the end.
What is your refund policy?
You can request a full refund before the course begins on 26 October. If you cancel between 26-29 October, we offer a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued from 30 October.
Money is a barrier for me. What can I do?
We have 3 concession places at a discounted rate. Please get in touch with admin@leadandcreate.uk if they are sold out or you would like to discuss a payment plan.
Have additional questions?
We will be happy to answer them! Send us an email at admin@leadandcreate.uk