Citymoves Core Staff

Hayley Durward open mouth smiling outside Anatomy Rooms studio.

Hayley Durward, CEO

Hayley trained as a dancer at Laban before lecturing at the Arts Educational School London in contemporary technique for five years, becoming the founder and Artistic Director of their touring company. She has taught freelance for many Scottish-based companies, including Scottish Ballet, Scottish Dance Theatre, the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance, Barrowland Ballet, and Starcatchers.

Hayley is chair of the board of trustees for Shaper/Caper and is a member of the advisory board for the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance. She currently works at Citymoves Dance Agency Aberdeen as CEO after being Dance Development Manager in Professional Pathways for 10 years.

Email : hayley.durward@citymoves.org.uk

Michelle Soto open mouth smiling, holding DanceLive programmes in a fan shape. In background, DanceLive flag and Citymoves 35 year timeline.

Michelle Soto MS MLitt, Marketing Executive

Michelle has worked in Scotland and Abroad for several performing arts organisations and performance types, including Shakespeare, Circus, Devised Theatre, Musical Theatre and Large Scale Arena Style Performances. Her personal dance background lies in the 6 years she spent as a cheerleader at school and the many theatrical dance classes and routines that come from working in the Musical Theatre World. These days, she participates in dance through Dance Fitness Classes and attends performances around Aberdeen. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre: Direction and Management (HONS), a Master of Science in Arts Administration and Leadership from Drexel University, and a Master of Letters in Ethnology and Folklore from the University of Aberdeen.

Email : michelle.soto@citymoves.org.uk

Gillian Farquhar open mouth smiling outside of Anatomy Rooms studio.

Gillian Farquhar, Dance Development Manager

Gillian trained at Evolution School of Dance from the age of 3 and gained her Associate teaching qualification with the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance. Gillian worked as an office administrator for 5 years before studying at Dance College Whitstable in Kent. Whilst in London, Gillian attended workshops led by Darcey Bussell at the RAD Head Quarters to become a fully qualified DDMIX Instructor. Since returning to Aberdeen, Gillian has gained her ISTD Diploma in Dance Education in Modern Theatre, Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with The Royal Academy of Dance and became a fully certified Acrobatic Arts teacher. Gillian continues to enhance her knowledge and skills by attending a variety of courses each year.

Gillian began teaching freelance for Citymoves in 2018 before joining the team as DanceLive Coordinator in 2020, progressing to Dance Development Manager in 2021.

Email : gillian.farquhar@citymoves.org.uk

Amy Park closed mouth smiling outside of Anatomy Rooms studio.

Amy Park, Dance Development Manager

Originally from Glasgow, Amy began her training with Scottish Ballet's Junior Associate programme and developed further at the Scottish School of Musical Theatre under Sheridan Nicol. She continued her professional training at London Contemporary Dance School, graduating with a BA(Hons) Degree in 2009. She was then a part of LC3, a 3rd year touring company, where she toured to Malta and various venues across London, performing pieces by Siobhan Davies and Merce Cunningham.

A national tour of 'Off Kilter' brought Amy back to Scotland, during which she performed works by Frank McConnell and Janet Smith at prestigious venues such as the Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Amy continued to work in Scotland with local dance artists, as well as internationally in Berlin. Amy joined the Citymoves Team in 2019 as Dance Development Manager with her main focus being outreach and specialist classes including projects such as Dance for Parkinsons, Strive, Performance groups and classes for those with Additional support needs. Amy believes that dance has the power to create meaningful and special connections. She feels very fortunate to be part of, and in a position to help nurture, the Citymoves dance family which continues to grow and develop with the Aberdeen community.

Email : amy.park@citymoves.org.uk

Megan Joyce open mouth smiling outside Anatomy Rooms studio.

Megan Joyce, Interm Dance Development Manager

Megan had come full circle back to Citymoves after starting her time here over 10 years ago when she first joined Fusion Youth Dance Company at 14 years old! She stayed with the youth company for four years, where she assured her love for dance, taking on some assisting and lead tutoring with Citymoves throughout this time. Then, at 18, she left to train in Professional Stage Dance in Edinburgh. After her training and exams, she performed in shows, taught classes, and created her own choreography works.

A sudden move saw her back to Aberdeen, where the position of Dance Development Coordinator was open and was naturally right for Megan to apply for! Luckily, she was given this role and was so pleased to be back in the place that built the foundations for Megan's career. Being part of the team and organisation is a huge privilege to her, which she really does love!

Email : megan.joyce@citymoves.org.uk

Shelia Harkes closed mouth smiling outside of Anatomy Rooms studio.

Sheila Harkes, Finance Coordinator

Sheila started her career as a Quality Controller for J&J Crombie, a woollen mill that produced the famous Crombie Coats alongside other high-quality woollen garments. After taking a career break to focus on raising her three children, Sheila studied Accountancy before embarking on a career in finance that stretched over 30 years. Initially starting off working for the NHS as a Management Accountant, she found herself down the line as Finance Manager for a large Norwegian oil services company travelling for work in Paris, Copenhagen, England and Orkney.

Sheila took early retirement in 2015, but by 2019 was itching to get involved with something else. With no interest in going back into the corporate world she came across Citymoves by sheer luck. Now, she loves her job, stating it's so different from her past career – a part of something that enriches the local community and people's lives.

Email : sheila.harkes@citymoves.org.uk