Meet Our BA & MA Team
Beverley Glean - MBE
Founder, Artistic Director and CEO of IRIE! dance theatre
Lecturer in Caribbean Dance
Founder, Artistic Director and CEO of IRIE! dance theatre Beverley has been working in the field of dance, in particular African Peoples Dance for over 20 years. Trained at the Laban Centre London (Trinity Laban), The Jamaica School of Dance and The Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba; she has continued her training and development in dance & culture by working alongside artists from West Africa, Europe, America, and the Caribbean. Beverley founded IRIE! dance theatre in 1985. The company pioneered the move towards representing and promoting reggae music and its movement nuances on stage. Over the years, IRIE! has grown in stature. As well as its touring dance theatre company, it has developed a much sought after education & community outreach programme.
Since 1992 Beverley has developed the relationship between IRIE! dance theatre and City and Islington College, delivering workshops, lectures and performance projects. Since 2000 she has co- directed a number of performance/research projects in partnership with the College and IRIE! dance theatre including; Connecting vibes Dance Company and the Dance and Diversity project, funded by NESTA and ACE to investigate the place of African and Caribbean dance within performance and education She has worked to develop the new BA(Hons) Diverse Dance Styles, launched in 2018. In 2016 Beverley received a Lifetime Achievement Award from ADAD and in 2017 was awarded an MBE for services to the promotion of African and Caribbean Dance.
![_DSC6500[7624]_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e33fae_ed3edc64bdd14c5ebad8433071329595~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_82,h_80,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/e33fae_ed3edc64bdd14c5ebad8433071329595~mv2.jpg)
Rosie Lehan
Director of Accredited Training
Lecturer in Choreography
Trained at Laban Centre (Trinity Laban) BA (Hons) Dance and Middlesex University MA Performing Arts. Working with Beverley Glean since 2000 Rosie has worked on a diverse range of projects, including Connectingvibes Dance Company for young dancers and the Dance and Diversity project, an action-based research project originally funded by NESTA and ACE to investigate the place of African and Caribbean dance. The Project ongoing since 2004, included a research trip to the USA, Jamaica, Cuba and Ghana.
Rosie worked as a Dance Lecturer at City and Islington College working on partnership projects with organisations such as Creative Partnerships, conducting research projects and establishing links in the USA and China.
Together with Beverley they created and subsequently led The Foundation Degree in Dance and in 2018 successfully launched the BA(Hons) Diverse Dance Styles validated by University of Roehampton.
Eszter Ivan
Student Counsellor
Eszter is a qualified embodied and dance movement psychotherapist.
In the therapeutic space, Eszter supports adults and students to explore and express their emotional difficulties, find a way to reconnect with their authentic selves, with their capacity for self-understanding and remind them that their body is a potential resource for wisdom. She
encourages them to find proactive solutions by applying an empathetic approach to listening, understand, and meet their emotional, mental, and social needs to help them to create stability for their wellbeing.
Eszter worked as a psychologist with visually impaired people in Hungary before she moved to London in 2012. She is interested in creative approaches and research. Currently doing a part-time PhD in psychology and in dance at Roehampton University.
For more information: eszterivan.co.uk
Nii Kwartey Owoo
Lecturer in African Dance
Nii Kwartey Owoo is a dynamic force in African dance and music, deeply rooted in his Ghanaian heritage. A percussionist, dancer, choreographer, and educator, he fuses traditional West African rhythms with contemporary expressions, creating powerful performances that celebrate African culture. His work often incorporates intricate movements, footwork, and gestures that tell stories of spirituality, history, and identity.
As the lead artist of the Asasaa Ensemble, Nii blends highlife music with global influences, bridging generations and inviting audiences to connect with African traditions. Beyond performance, he’s a dedicated educator, teaching at institutions like IRIE! dance theatre, SOAS, University of London, and Goldsmiths. Through these roles, Nii fosters an appreciation for African dance’s cultural significance.
His community engagement, including collaborations with Spitalfields Music and Orchestras Live, further emphasizes his commitment to sharing African culture through workshops and educational programs. Nii Kwartey Owoo’s impact on the African diaspora is profound, preserving and evolving traditional arts while pushing the boundaries of contemporary African dance.
Dr. 'H' Patten
Lecturer in Caribbean Dance
Dr ‘H’ Patten is an experienced performer, choreographer, filmmaker, and university lecturer. A former principle artist in Adzido Pan-African Dance Ensemble and Artistic Director of Koromanti Arts and ‘H’ Patten Dance Theatre Co. His international reputation in African and Caribbean arts spans 36 years. Patten’s publications include ‘Feel De Riddim, Feel De Vibes’ in Adair, C. and Burt, R. (2016) ‘British Dance: Black Routes’ (Routledge), and ‘Dancehall: A Continuity of Spiritual, Corporeal Practice in Jamaican Dance’ in Akinleye, A. (2018) Narratives in Black British Dance: Embodied practices’ (Palgrave McMillan).
Dr. Patten recently completed his PhD at Canterbury Christ Church University (UK) entitled The Spirituality of Reggae Dancehall Dance Vocabulary: a Spiritual, Corporeal Practice in Jamaican Dance. Patten’s awards include the Jamaican High Commission 50th Anniversary Award for Arts, Culture and Entertainment (2012).
Dr. Patten is a tutor in Dance of the African Diaspora. Co-developing and delivering classes relating specifically to African and Caribbean contemporary and traditional dance practices, critically grounded in DAD theory, cultural and dance analysis and also an associate Lecturer in Dance of the African Diaspora (Kingston University).
Leroy 'FX' Dias Dos Santos
Lecturer in Contemporary and Urban Dance Technique
Leroy 'FX' Dias Dos Santos is a passionate dance artist who continues to perfect his craft as a hybrid performer and choreographer. Born in Angola and raised in North London, Leroy was inspired by Michael Jackson and his cousins to pursue dance from a young age.
In 2007, he graduated from Middlesex University studying Dance Performance, where he developed his ballet, contemporary and jazz technique. Throughout his career Leroy has worked with HM The Queen, Prince Charles, Jermaine Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Jason Statham, Will.I.AM, Jessie J, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis, Sugababes, Aston Merrygold and choreographers such as Jermaine Brown, Rafael Bonachela, Shobana Jesaysingh, Mavin Khoo as well as The English National Ballet.
Leroy performed in theatre productions 'Carmen Jones' (2007) at The Royal Festival Hall, 'La Travaita' (2007) and 'Aida' (2008) conducted under The Welsh National Opera. He is also a member of the street dance sensation Flawless, who were finalists on ITV’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. They featured in movies such as ‘Street Dance 3D’ 1 and 2 by Vertigo films (2009) and have currently been touring their new theatre production ‘Chase the Dream 2’ (2018-2019) across the UK and internationally.
As well as performing, he has also had the opportunity to choreograph and collaborate with Susie Mckenna on ‘Mandem On The Wall’ Live Show at Hackney Empire (2015) and ‘Macbeth’ with Twist Theatre Company (2015-2016), ‘Hosea’s Girl’ (2015) a Hip Hop spoken word play written by Anastasia Osei- Kuffour.
Leroy currently teaches dance technique and choreography across different sectors and has had the opportunity to work with different dance institutions such as Urdang Academy, Middlesex University, IRIE! Dance Theatre, Frantic Assembly, Dance College London, Wac Arts, Springs Dance Company and Hertford Regional College, which has all played a significant role to his teaching. Nurturing the younger generation and mentoring them through dance is a key part of Leroy’s teaching and philosophy
Charles James
Musician
Charles James is a professional African drummer, with extensive experience and knowledge in Afro Caribbean traditional music. Charles was a former member of Ekome Dance Company in Bristol and was a founder member of Adzido Dance Ensemble in 1984 - 2003.
In addition Charles has performed for a number of theatre productions such as Chesa, Chesa and Yaa Asantewaa to name but a few. He has toured internationally throughout his career in Europe, Africa, Canada and the Caribbean performing, delivering workshops
Charles has worked alongside some great artist & directors such as Dr H Patten, Jackie Guy, Lincoln Allerton, Judith Palmer MBE etc delivering African & Caribbean foundation degree programmes in Surrey University and schools etc.
Charles works with IRIE dance theatre on the BA(Hons) Diverse Dance Styles.
Cynthia Casimir
Hip Hop Dance Styles Lecturer
Cynthia trained in classical dance from a very young age and discovered Hip Hop culture at the age of 15. Trained by her uncle and dance teacher Franck VENERE, she found a passion for this culture and its values, building her experience through competitions, shows, creations and battles with her group, Black Mafia. Moving to London in 2013, Cynthia embarked on a new adventure joining the Royal Academy of Dance working with young people and passing on her knowledge and values of the Hip Hop culture.
In 2015 she joined Paradox-Sal group, travelling around the world as a performer-dancer for the creation "Fighting Spirit", "Bounce" and to date "Queen Blood" and “One Shot’ ,to transmit, and inspire all generations during the tour and through workshops with her group. She has been working with IRIE! dance theatre on the BA(Hons) Diverse Dance Styles since September 2019
Shea Best
Lecturer in Caribbean Dance
Shea Best is a dynamic dancer, choreographer, and teacher with an extensive background in Afro-Caribbean traditional and popular dance, Modern/Contemporary, Commercial and Musical Theatre. With a Master’s in Choreography from Leeds Beckett University and ongoing studies in Creative Arts at the University of the West Indies, Shea's experience seamlessly blends academic research with performance artistry.
Currently the Company Rehearsal Director and dancer with IRIE! Dance Theatre Company, Shea has performed, choreographed and taught in various studios, institutions and venues, in Barbados and the UK including Sadler’s Wells, the Saatchi Gallery, and the Black-E in Liverpool.
Beyond performance, Shea is an experienced educator, teaching at institutions like Artistry Youth Dance and is now IRIE!'s newest lecturer in Caribbean dance. With a passion for cultural preservation and innovation, Shea’s work bridges traditional and contemporary movement, creating powerful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
An award-winning artist, Shea has received accolades such as the Prime Minister’s Award for Artistic Excellence and multiple NIFCA Gold Awards. Whether on stage, in the studio, or directing rehearsals, Shea remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of dance and fostering the next generation of performers.
Our MA Team
Dr Adesola Akinleye
MA Lecturer and Lead
Dr Adesola Akinleye, (pro-nouns she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist-scholar and choreographer. Adesola’s career began as a dancer with The Dance Theatre of Harlem Workshop Ensemble (USA), later working in UK Companies including Green Candle and The Carol Straker Dance Company. Over the past twenty years, Adesola has created works ranging from films, installations, and texts to live performances that are often site-specific and involve a cross-section of the community, as well as guest choreographer positions for university programs, conservatoires, and for professional company repertoire.
A key aspect of their process is the artistry of opening creative practices to everyone, from women in low-wage employment to ballerinas to performance for young audiences. Adesola’s research and artistic practice rest in Afro-Indigenous worldviews, which value community, relationality, and polyrhythm. They have written art-integrated curricula for K-12 as well as written and led BA, MA, and PhD programs in the UK and the USA.
Adesola founded and am currently co-artistic director of DancingStrong Movement Lab., with Dr. Helen Kindred. DancingStrong is a non-profit arts organisation that incubates new ideas, creates performance work, and nurtures interdisciplinary exchanges and projects. Adesola has been a Research Fellow with Theatrum Mundi and a visiting lecturer at Central Saint Martins, on the M-Arch program. They were a Visiting Artist 2020–2022 at the Center for Art, Science & Technology (CAST), MIT, and a Research Affiliate at Art, Culture and Technology (ACT), MIT, USA. Adesola was a Senior Lecturer at Middlesex University, UK, writing and leading the BA and Co-Leading MA Professional Practice programs with Helen Kindred in the Faculty of Creative Industries.
Hopal Romans
MA Lecturer
Hopal Romans is a Lecturer in Dance Education at the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), where she teaches across a range of university-validated programmes as well as the RAD Awards and Professional Development courses. With a distinguished career spanning more than forty years, Hopal has worked as a professional dancer in dance companies both in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Her expertise lies in contemporary dance techniques, with a particular focus on the methods developed by Martha Graham and Lester Horton, alongside Afro-Cuban contemporary styles. In addition to her extensive performance experience, Hopal is a dedicated educator who has taught dance in mainstream schools and led creative dance sessions within Special Educational Needs environments.
June Yuen Ting
MA Lecturer
June Yuen Ting is a movement worker and a tutor with the MA course in Diasporic Dance Styles at IRIE! Dance Theatre. They hold an MFA in Dance and Embodied Practice from the University of Roehampton, and they are currently studying for a professional doctorate in performing arts at the University of East London. June also works as a visiting lecturer in dance practice at the University of Roehampton.