Jane McLean
01606 861 770
Jane McLean studied dance at the University of Chester, leaving in 2007 with the Bradbury Prize for Performing Arts and going on to Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music and Dance in London to study and work.
As a freelance dance and capoeira artist Jane has taught, performed, created and played in London, France, Brazil and the North West and taught as a Visiting Lecturer at University of Chester.
As Cheshire Dance’s Creative Director, Jane’s role involves managing the Cheshire Dance Artistic programme, working with diverse groups from professional artists to community groups and schools, inspiring people from all walks of life to create, learn and experience dance.
Jane enjoys working collaboratively with other artists and organisations to enable the development and co-creation of innovative dance practices across Cheshire and beyond. Jane’s enquiries into anatomy, performance presence, attention to sensation, use of energy and focus support all of her work. Jane uses improvisation to explore, connect and create dances with people of all ages and abilities.
Jane is currently leading on Wildfire Rising – an Associate Artist Programme for dance artists from culturally diverse backgrounds and the Wanna Dance? Project with people with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities (PIMD).
"I work to ensure that everyone everywhere has access to dance and can benefit from its transformative power."
Jane McLean
Using dance and person-centred creative practice to enhance the healing environment, prevent the early onset of Dementia and offer people a way to live well with Dementia in dementia friendly communities.
Cheshire Dance delivers an annual CPD workshop in safeguarding specifically for dance artists, teachers and facilitators who work with children under the age of 18 and adults at risk.
Inquiring Bodies is a full day event by dance artists, for dance artists in a mutually supportive environment for dance exploration and open dialogue.
Annual course for dance artists, facilitators, teachers and others - designed for designated first aiders as well as those simply requiring a comprehensive first aid course.
Now Northwich is an annual flagship outdoor international dance and street arts festival from Producers Cheshire Dance and Partners
‘Wildfire Rising’ is an associate artist programme from Cheshire Dance and Movema that looks to remove barriers of inequality by investing in and supporting dance artists from African, South, East and South East Asian diasporas to make way for the rising of their artistry, representation and development.
Moving Moments saw Cheshire Dance come together with local artist Rachel Almond to create beautifully designed pieces of art to inspire and encourage older adults in Cheshire West to stay active.
Dance is recognised as providing therapeutic benefit, it is a form of release and means of expression, using simple creative movements allows people to express something of their individuality.
Combining dance, live music, song and the opportunity for care home residents to participate and interact with performers, the Tea Ladies show has allowed residents, family members and staff to experience the transformative power of dance.
Cheshire Dance has an established and growing specialism in developing dance opportunities with and for people with learning disabilities and people with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities (PIMD).
The Wanna Dance? programme sees service users of Vivo Care Choices with profound and complex disabilities take part in one-to-one face to face sessions with Cheshire Dance artists to explore how they might like to dance.
"Move with Us" is an initiative from Cheshire Dance, Bright Memories and Cheshire & Warrington Carers Trust. This dedicated session gives carers the time and space to move together for a healthier body and mind.
Shining the Spotlight on the mental well being of young people in the town of Winsford, encouraging physical activity and engagement with peers,
Exploring, questioning, developing & inspiring our practice - and each other - to ensure people with PMLD experience and enjoy dance regardless of the challenges that they face.
Bringing together over 50s dance groups to share, devise and dance as a celebration of ageing creatively for Storyhouse Elders Festival.
Cheshire Dance is a specialist in dance for people with PMLD. People with PMLD are participants in many of our regular dance and disability groups and as an organisation, we facilitate a practice sharing network for dancers across the UK who work with people with PMLD.
Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. Cheshire Dance is a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England.
The Hive, 49 Lever St, Manchester M1 1FN
ALFA – Artists Led For Artists – advocates for dance artists and their connections to the wider dance sector; to champion diversity and visibility of artists as well as share resources and knowledge to further the development of the art of dance.
Across Cheshire
Dance Consortia North West (DCNW) is a diverse collection of dance artists, companies and venues that come together to generate, collaborate and celebrate dance across the region.
1st Floor, Winsford Library, High Street, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 2AS
Studying Dance at Chester involves: being led by expert and highly motivated professionals; working in a supportive and nurturing environment that encourages the development of each individual dancer. Cheshire Dance is proud to work in partnership with The University of Chester.
Kingsway, Chester CH2 2LB
Vivo Care Choices provides a range of daytime activities in several day centres and community settings, including Canal Street Day Centre and Water Tower Gardens (both Chester), Firdale Day Centre (Northwich), Meadowbank Lodge (Winsford), Neston Day Centre, and Coronation Centre and Healthy Living Centre (both Ellesmere Port).
Lightfoot Street, Hoole, Chester CH2 3AD
Cheshire West and Chester Council is committed to celebrating diversity and promoting equality in everything it does, to improve the quality of life for everyone living, working and visiting Cheshire West and Chester.
Customer Service Centres, 1 The Arcade, Northwich
The Granada Foundation encourages the study and appreciation of the fine arts and sciences and to promote education, with a particular interest in activity in the North West of England.
PO Box 3430, Chester, CH1 9BZ
Movema celebrates diversity through dance, creating safe spaces for different communities to come together and learn about each other through high-quality arts experiences.
37-45 Windsor St, Liverpool, L8 1XE
Established by Royal Charter in 1996, Sport England exists to give everyone in England the chance to benefit from sport and physical activity.
21 Bloomsbury Street, London WC1B 3HF
A registered charity, Cheshire & Warrington Carers Trust offers information, advice and support to Carers and those they care for across Cheshire, and deliver a wide range of activities, training and events throughout the year.
146 London Road, Northwich CW9 5HH
Belong is a charitable organisation whose first priority will always be to offer a higher quality of life and a higher quality of personal care in a caring and committed community.
Market Street, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 5DQ
Brightlife from Cheshire & Warrington Carers Trust supports older people out of loneliness and social isolation to enjoy more fulfilling, active and connected lives.
146 London Rd, Northwich CW9 5HH
Green Candle is one of the UK’s leading dance companies known for the high quality and originality of its work involving both young and older people with and without disabilities.
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG
UCLanDance is a Centre for Excellence in Learning, Participation and Advocacy, developing programmes which are deeply rooted in and responsive to our communities in Lancashire, alongside national and international work.
Preston, Lancashire
Cheshire Community Foundation raises funds to support hundreds of amazing small charities and voluntary groups across the whole of Cheshire and Warrington.
Warrington
Overseeing the iconic Parr Hall, Warrington Museum & Art Gallery and Pyramid Arts Centre, Culture Warrington is your one-stop shop for art, history and entertainment in the heart of Warrington’s Cultural Quarter.
Warrington
Cheshire West Voluntary Action works with charities, social enterprises, community groups, voluntary organisations and faith groups across west Cheshire.
Liverpool, UK
