Meet the team
Carolyn Lappin
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kelly Shearer
HEAD OF PARTICIPATION
Alison Mussett
FUNDRAISING OFFICER
Taylor Han
DANCE ARTIST
Gillian McKechnie
DANCE ARTIST
Anna Kenrick
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Lauren Ferguson
PROJECTS COORDINATOR
Emily Tryon
MARKETING MANAGER
Jessica Ho
DANCE ARTIST
Zac
DANCE ARTIST HORIZONS
Linzi McLagan
HEAD OF EDUCATION
Denise McLeod
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Gillian Montgomery
SENIOR DANCE ARTIST
Aimee Friel
DANCE ARTIST
Karis
TRAINEE DANCE ARTIST
Meet the board
Sue Mitchell CHAIR
Sue is now semi-retired and living in a remote rural community in Ross-shire. She participated in the Generation Dance Festival in 2018, celebrating the diversity and connectivity of dance. Sue is proud of YDance’s role as a pivotal dance sector organisation in Scotland, which enables young people to discover their potential through dance.
Anita Clark
Anita's first encounter with YDance was in 1989 at the second-ever Scottish Youth Dance Festival at the University of Stirling. That experience was formative in rooting her passion for dance as an inclusive and expansive art form. She has pursued a career in dance as a practitioner, producer and in funding and policy, and is currently director of The Work Room.
Alan Busby
Alan joined YDance in 2013 and has been blown away with the talent and achievements of the young people who are engaging with YDance Scotland. In addition, the dedication of the YDance team to the development and creativity of Young People in Scotland and the reach that they achieve is inspirational.
Alan lives in Balloch, Loch Lomond and his other interests include walking, drinking real ales and having a good debate about politics.
Katie Daniel
Katie Daniel is an Arts Marketing professional with experience with Scottish Dance Theatre, Scottish Ballet and Capital Theatres. She first encountered YDance as a student at Peterhead Academy in choreographic workshops and while studying Higher Dance. Previously, she was a volunteer and Youth Ambassador for UK performing arts initiative Rock Challenge. Katie supports our Youth Advisory Board.
Theresa Campbell
Theresa has retired from her role in teacher education but continues to be an advocate for the value of dance in the development of young people. She loves the passion and commitment of the YDance staff and takes great pride in being part of an organisation that centres on spreading a love of dance.
Carolyn Lappin
Carolyn has been Chief Executive at YDance (Scottish Youth Dance) since 2002. Prior to that she was General Manager at Scottish Youth Theatre (1984 – 2001) and managed the Old Athenaeum Theatre. She was Chair of Surge, a street arts and physical theatre company until September 2023, and is Vice Chair of People Dancing (the UK Foundation for Community Dance).