Meet the team

Kathy is an original member and award-winning director of RJC Dance. Kathy leads the strategic direction and implementation of RJC Dance’s innovative youth, adult, community and international dance and cultural programmes. As an organisation RJC Dance is committed to developing Black British Dance language as a strategic narrative as opposed to just a style, building legacy and the recognition of cultural ancestry.

As an Olympic gymnast, her life and career are about creating transformative experiences through the arts and culture for young people and communities. RJC Dance is an award-winning organisation delivering exciting programmes, workshops, accredited qualifications, access to employment, national and international youth exchanges and experiences for children, young people, adults & elders. The organisation reaches communities who have limited access to the rich and transformative benefits of the arts and of cultural education.

At RJC Dance we enrich the creative arts landscape offer by reflecting the ethnic and cultural diversity of contemporary England. Operating from a global perspective of contemporary dance, RJCD is one of few UK Black British led dance companies, contributing to the development of a strong infrastructure for Black British Dance culture. Kathy has dedicated her life’s work to the contribution and development of dance of the African Diaspora by changing perceptions and building legacy.

Since 1993, over 20,000+ young people 4yrs-19yrs from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds have engaged with RJC Dance, cultural and pastoral programmes with currently over 250 young people attending weekly sessions. From 2017-2019 RJC Dance has been the winning Leeds West Indian Carnival Youth Troupe. By invitation RJC Dance Youth Provision has performed: locally, nationally and internationally including youth exchanges in Sweden, France & Denmark.

Kathy’s leadership style is open, collaborative and based on the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, respect, determination, courage, equality, inspiration. Kathy is highly skilled and has extensive knowledge and experience in stakeholder engagement; delivering organisational change; leading cultural and heritage programmes; curating large-scale festivals and events. Kathy has a sports performance mindset and is highly motivated and skilled as a creative producer with a lifetimes experience in dance, performance, learning and participation.

Stefanie has worked as the Administrator for RJC Dance since 2012 and is delighted to be part of the staff team of such an exciting participatory community dance organisation.

Stefanie is a graduate of Kent University and has been involved professionally in the Arts for over 30 years both as a practitioner, then as a manager and arts administrator. She has toured nationally with companies such as Pilot Theatre, Red Ladder Theatre and Alison Andrews Co. and spent over 20 years as the Tour Manager for Red Ladder Theatre Company. During this time she contributed and nurtured the development of The Asian Theatre School, supporting Black & Asian diverse artists, from a regional to a national level.

In 2011 she began working as a freelance arts administrator creating UK Independent Arts Administration and her portfolio included professional contracts for Hidden Gems Productions, Huddersfield and Web of Dreams Productions in their business ventures. Joining RJC Dance in 2012, to support the leadership of Kathy Williams, Stefanie is committed to the future development of RJC Dance; recognising it's legacy within the community, raising the organsational profile and works towards providing a high quality base at the Mandela Centre, Leeds, providing cultural , educational and artistic opportunities for current and future generations.

Nillanthie Morton's interest in dance began at the age of 14 when he became a member of RJC Dance Youth Provision. Nillanthie worked his way through the youth provision and became an apprentice with RJC Dance.

Post the apprenticeship Nillanthie auditioned at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and in September 2007 was accepted onto the one year Foundation Course. Nillanthie continued to develop and progressed onto the 3 year degree course and successfully graduated in summer 2011. Nillanthie is an up and coming young contemporary performer and choreographer , who has worked with urban, contemporary and classical dance styles. His first commission was with the Big Dance Event 2012 where he choreographed a new performance piece for Shahck Out Saturday called ' Beat Down' , a combination of urban dance styles using body percussion and vocal expressions, performed in Millennium Square, Leeds July 2012.Nillanthie also directs and performs in an emerging dance group Dee-Koyy which uses Soca, Carribbean and Urban dance styles

Kiran joined RJC Dance in May 2023 and is delighted to be working alongside the staff team to provide opportunities in the arts and culture sector as their Project Co-ordinator.

Kiran graduated from Dance City in Newcastle in 2017 with a First Class BA (Hons) in Dance Professional Practice. She has trained in contemporary, ballet and commercial dance styles and has extensive experience performing, teaching and co-ordinating youth dance activity within the arts. Kiran previously worked as the Dance City Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) Co-ordinator, supporting young people to access high quality dance training. In 2023, she was selected for and completed the Common Purpose Emerging Leaders programme.

Kiran is dedicated to ensuring that children, young people, adults, elders and communities are able to succeed and champions the impact of dance, movement and exercise to improve physical and mental well-being. She aims to continue to create a positive, encouraging and inspiring environment in which individuals can shine and thrive.