IMAGINING A BETTER FUTURE THROUGH DANCE.
HARNESSING COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND THE COLLECTIVE ENERGY OF DANCE ARTISTS FOR POSITIVE CHANGE.
WE ARE
We are a small but mighty arts CIO with a reputation for a socially engaged, inventive, and ambitious approach, redefining community dance and arts in a rural context. Through partnerships, community practice, participants, and audiences, we introduce fresh, exciting perspectives on dance across generations and reach those most in need—whether isolated from their community, unable to attend other arts activities, or facing barriers to participation. The quality and uniqueness at our heart are deeply nurtured in our Powys roots.
We are cultivating forward thinking around the human experience for future generations, working in the NOW to stimulate and create social community change that resonates globally. Working to better the world, the people we love and fostering a community who move and who are moved.
Dance activism drives our work as we tackle the challenges our communities face today. We engage through creative education in schools, arts and health initiatives within communities, and by closely supporting dance artists to lead, develop, and strengthen their practice in Powys. Our work aligns with the fight for climate justice and raising the aspirations of the next generation of creatives.
OUR TEAM
We very much advocate for and nurture dance artists, those working on the ground, embedding them into Impelo’s work when and how it’s meaningful for them — offering space to train, learn, and grow. Our practice is rooted in long-term relationships, shared learning and care-led ways of working. It’s our seed to flower, our roots to branches.
Impelo is currently supported by a small core team alongside interim Executive Producers, who steward the organisation through this transitional period. Their role is to ensure care, continuity and clarity — while keeping artists and community at the centre of everything we do.
Together with our Board of Trustees and a wide network of artists, freelancers and community partners, we collaborate to shape and deliver our programmes. We believe in working with openness, generosity and curiosity, creating space for conversation, exchange and shared ideas.
If you’d like to connect, collaborate or learn more about our work, you can get in touch with the team below.
Ian Abbott
Interim Executive Producer
producer@impelo.org.uk
Ian specialises in producing, strategic development and operations in the performing arts in UK & Asia. He has lived and worked in Wales, England and Scotland running dance venues, festivals and working with artists and companies. Creativity and positivity radiates through his work and he is a big fan of Action Learning. Founder of the Hip Hop Dance Almanac and Ink Cypher, he's a proud member of PAMPA - a network for Producers, Agents and Managers across Europe.
Laura Trocan
Interim Executive Producer
producer@impelo.org.uk
Bethan Cooper Convenor bethan@impelo.org.uk
Christiane Stroubakis
Coordinator; Y Nyth & Artist Development.
christie@impelo.org.uk
India Jade Sutton Coordinator; Intergenerational & Neighbourhood
india@impelo.org.uk
Clara Rust
Coordinator; Children and Young People clara@impelo.org.uk
TRUSTEES
Born and bred in Powys, Nia James is currently Acting Director of the Welsh Government’s Legal Department. A Welsh speaker with a passion for corporate governance, Nia was brought up on the eisteddfod stage, so she brings experience of being involved in grassroots music. She’s been vice Chair of the largest cycling club in Wales, too and discovered Impelo through its work with Dementia Matters in Powys. Pilates obsessed, with feet permanently in first position, Nia’s looking forward to trying out some adult ballet at Impelo.
Rosie Watt (based in North Wales) has 10+ years experience as an Independent Creative Producer and Fundraiser supporting arts organisations and artists with diverse needs with everything from Arts Council grant applications, to booking and managing tours, creating long-term business plans to leading on community projects, delivering access support, and much more. Rosie’s expertise are within dance, rural touring, and community. Since 2023, Rosie has co-managed Cheshire Rural Touring Arts (NPO), programming a variety of high-quality shows in collaboration with volunteer promoters at village halls, libraries, and community centres.
With a PG Cert in Counselling, Rosie is an advocate for mental health and interpersonal wellbeing. Rosie is also a keen dancer and Pilates enthusiast.
All the way from Yorkshire, that gives Dave Petty a longer perspective. He’s been involved in many community-led organisations and Cooperatives (Workers and Housing) in Leeds, and even in Wales! For the last 30 years he’s been helping get a successful Urban Community and Arts organisation off the ground in Leeds. Dave’s a founder member and Director of the North's friendliest Eco Festival - ‘Northern Green Gathering’ from 1997 until last Saturday and ‘Leeds Coppice Workers’ Cooperative since 2012 (sustainably and economically managing local Woodlands) This has given him abundant experience in helping organisations with horizontal management structures and slim budgets to function successfully.
Jenni Barbieri’s involvement with dance in Llandrindod goes back to the days of Footloose and Powys Dance in the 1980’s and ‘90’s. She was the first dance artist to hire Powys Dance Centre in 1988. After years working abroad, her association with the DC continues on her return and she is very passionate about securing a great future of dance in Mid Wales with Impelo at the new Dance Centre.
“By existing within the system but somewhat at odds with it, the weed offers another way. It speaks of community links, mutual aid, less intensive practices and a make- do -and - mend approach.”
Magda Nawrocka- Weekes, Be a Weed, PAM 02 (FEM Press)
OUR HERITAGE
We are no strangers to resilient adaptability, we’ve learnt through both success and failure and an ever changing funding climate and most recently through our loss of Arts Council of Wales NPO status in 2024 to regroup, gather, learn and move forwards. Our track record demonstrates our grit and determination in hard times, adapting whilst never compromising our integrity, always finding joy, learning and moving forwards.
Today- Impelo governance and staffing structure reflects its organisation aims, it’s democratic, dancer and user led enabling both artists and the community artistically steer the work.
The foundation, our heritage, our own unique tale through which we flourish.
We began life as the Theatr Powys Dance Team, as part of the Theatr Powys arts team in 1977. This team developed until it was established as a separate entity in 1981 as Footloose Dance Company. Not long after opening the Dance Centre, the company became Powys Dance to then in 2015 leave local authority, become a charity and rebrand itself as Impelo.
We are using this adaptability and organisational heritage to nurture the next generation, giving them the greatest gift we can, to be responsive, bold and heartfelt in an ever changing world.
OUR NORTH STAR
Rather than a business plan or a mission and vision we are guided by our North Star which details our values, our working ecosystem and the driving forces behind out work, these principles include;
Programmes that are co-created with participants, emphasising involvement and ownership.
Nurture physical confidence and emotional wellbeing through failure-free environments.
Create authentic, real-world programmes with Generation Alpha and their elders that engage both mind and body.
Programmes that focus on creative exploration and curiosity, fostering a sense of place and self through dance.
Collective responsiveness, advocating for people and planet for future generations.
