African Routes 2026: Fair Play – Day 1

Beverley Glean MBE

Beverley Glean is the Founder, Artistic Director, and CEO of IRIE! dance theatre, a pioneering UK-based company dedicated to Dance of the African Diaspora (DAD). Since founding IRIE! in 1985, Beverley has played a leading role in elevating the presence and recognition of African and Caribbean dance. Her artistic vision blends African and Caribbean traditions with contemporary Western forms, resulting in a distinctive and dynamic dance fusion.

Trained at the Laban Centre, Jamaica School of Dance and Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba, she has collaborated with artists across Africa, Europe, America and the Caribbean. Since founding IRIE! in 1985, she has led its touring company and major education and community programmes. She has built long-standing partnerships with colleges and universities, co-directing initiatives such as Connecting Vibes and Dance and Diversity and overseeing the development of the BA (Hons) and MA Diverse Dance Styles. Beverley is the recipient of an Association of Dance of the African Diaspora (ADAD) Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2017, she received an MBE for services to African and Caribbean dance in the UK.

Dr. Sharon Watson MBE DL

Sharon Watson MBE DL was appointed Chief Executive and Principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) in May 2020. Prior to this role, she served as the seventh Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre, where her leadership and artistic vision significantly shaped the company’s national and international profile.

During her tenure at Phoenix Dance Theatre, Sharon received widespread recognition for her contribution to the cultural sector. In 2010, she was named one of the Cultural Leadership Programme’s Women to Watch, highlighting 50 influential women working in arts and culture across the UK. She went on to receive the Sue Ryder Yorkshire Women of Achievement in Business Award and was named Yorkshire Woman of the Year in 2016. In 2017, Sharon was recognised in the inaugural Northern Power Women Top 50 Power List, followed by winning the First English Woman’s Award for Arts and Culture in 2018. That same year, she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by NSCD.

In July 2019, Sharon received an Honorary Doctorate from Leeds Beckett University in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the arts. She was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire in November 2020 and was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List in 2021.

March 2026 Awarded Yorkshire Businesswoman Lifetime Achievement Award

Sharon is a Trustee of Factory International and Chair of Candoco Dance Company. A Patron to Music House Leeds. She is deeply committed to championing equity, diversity, and inclusion across the arts, with a particular focus on supporting the creative voices of women and Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse artists.

Dr. H. Patten MBE

Dr ‘H’ Patten, Artistic Director of Koromanti Arts and ‘H’ Patten Dance Theatre Company is an experienced choreographer, performer, filmmaker, storyteller, visual artist and author. His international reputation in African and Caribbean arts spans over 35 years. Winning several awards, including the Jamaican High Commission 50th Anniversary Award for services in Arts, Culture and Entertainment (2012), ‘H’ has worked/researched/trained across Africa and the Caribbean. Choreographing for the National dance companies of Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Malawi, and Jamaica’s Stella Maris Dance Ensemble, he has worked on major UK productions, including the critically acclaimed ‘Fences’ (2013) starring Lenny Henry. Gaining his PhD at Canterbury Christ Church University (2019), ‘H’ authored the ground-breaking – Reading Religion and Spirituality in Jamaican Reggae Dancehall Dance: Spirit Bodies Moving, Routledge (2022) and multiple publications. An (2020) Independent Social Research Foundation (ISRF) Scholar, researching British reggae/dancehall dance(2020), ‘H’ was the storytelling consultant on the Open University’s DEPA project (2021-2025), and lead researcher on: The 10th International Conference of Carnival & Masquerade Arts – Rhythm of a People: Tradition, Connection, Innovation and Decolonisation, at University of Education, Winneba, Ghana (2023), the Salone DEPA storytelling, theatre and film project, Sierra Leone (2021 and 2023-25) and the DEPA Dance for Camera project Sierra Leone/UK (2024-25). ‘H’ is currently choreographer for The Song of Njama a live musical dance theatre production in Sierra Leone (2026) and is presently developing his reggae/dancehall musical production and documentary film programmes.

nora chipaumire

nora chipaumire was born in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe – nora chipaumire makes work and creates ideas that straddle multiple imaginaries — African, black, woman. A life lived through aesthetics informed by refusal, defiance, negotiation, contradictions and more. These refusals take form of movement, objects, non objects, manifestos, sound and building a pedagogical practice (nhaka) that works the present now with the present past.

tyroneisaacstuart

tyroneisaacstuart is a London born interdisciplinary artist whose practice operates at the intersection of the sonic, the somatic, and the textual. Working across song, dance, and installation, his methodology treats the body as a site of inquiry, facilitating a dialogue around diasporic experience, industry, and the invisible systems that choreograph our lives. His work is a study in contrasts—balancing the solitary with the collaborative, and the structured with the improvised—to explore intergenerational narratives through a multi-layered, evolving process.

A graduate in Jazz Saxophone from Middlesex University and the University of New Orleans, tyrone’s foundation in Tomorrow’s Warriors and Boy Blue Entertainment informs a practice that approaches composition as a choreographic device. A recipient of the Steve Reid Innovation Award and the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award, he has collaborated with artists such as nora chipaumire, Serafine 1369, julianknxx, and Moses Boyd. Following an artist residency at Studio Wayne McGregor (2024/25), he is now an artist at Proposition studios,  currently developing his long-form, non-linear work, *S!CKJAMGOLDMORENO!SEPIZZERIA*.

Dr. Leona Vaughn, PhD

Dr Leona Vaughn is a sociologist/social policy expert with 30 years+ experience working as a human rights/social justice practitioner in the UK and internationally within higher education, civil society and government. Leona is a Senior Lecturer/Research Fellow at University of Liverpool and part of UNESCO Global Dialogues for Reparatory Justice.

Andrew Barney

Andrew Barney is an award-winning, self-taught composer, pianist, multidisciplinary artist and polyglot whose work bridges cultures, languages and traditions. A proud Scouser of West African, Caribbean and Irish heritage, he is the tenth recipient of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s Rushworth Composition Prize, through which he has been commissioned to write for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and Ensemble 10:10.

His 11-minute work ‘If It Were For Peace’, for vocal soloists and a cappella choir, received its world premiere by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir in April 2026 to a standing ovation. Andrew is currently composing new commissions for BBC Radio 3’s Music & Meditation podcast, the Chineke! Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, alongside another world premiere orchestral piece for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Ensemble 10:10 premiering in October 2026. His solo piano music has also been featured on BBC Radio 3’s Night Tracks.

Andrew’s multidisciplinary practice encompasses contemporary classical music, jazz and improvisation, including a piano-guitar duo with jazz guitarist Jack Lewis, and live improvised soundbath and wellbeing experiences with yoga practitioner Nu Caratella. A former Opera North Resonance Artist, his work frequently explores identity, language, heritage and belonging.

Alongside his artistic practice, Andrew works as an industry professional and Assistant Producer for PRS Foundation’s POWER UP, supporting Black music creators and industry professionals across the UK. He started pursuing a professional career in music in 2024; prior to this career change, he built a varied career spanning finance, teaching, translation and counter-terrorism intelligence. His unconventional journey continues to inform his unique artistic voice and identity.

Anna Louise Loy

Anna Louise Loy is a Tenor Trombonist and Portrait Artist born in Liverpool. She was introduced to the Trombone at a young age and soon fell in love with the sound of the classical orchestra, particularly the epic sound of the lower brass section. In 2018, Anna was awarded a scholarship to study a Bachelor of Music (with Hons) at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Since graduating, Anna has worked as a Freelance musician performing with Jazz bands, Brass bands and Orchestras across the North West. Anna is currently being mentored by Jonny Hollick a part of the London Symphony Orchestra Pathways Scheme and is looking forward to beginning a Master of Music at the Royal Northern College of Music in September.

Anna’s other passion is Portrait Art. As a self-taught artist Anna has worked with the Tate Art Gallery, Royal Liverpool Hospital and with Professors from the University of Liverpool. Additionally, Anna was a semi-finalist of the Portrait Artist of the Year Competition in 2023. This year Anna was featured in her first solo Exhibition ‘A Celebration of Colour’ organised by the amazing Andrew Barney.

Ithalia Johnson

Ithalia Johnson, an artist, leader, and coach from Liverpool, is a passionate advocate for African diaspora dance and culture. Her diverse heritage, blending African, Caribbean, and Irish roots, informs her artistic vision and community engagement efforts. As a Clore Leadership Fellow, she aims to make a meaningful impact in the arts.

Ithalia’s formal path of dance began after the loss of her father, which prompted her to leave her role as a development officer and pursue her passion for dance. With training from Liverpool City College and the José Limón Dance School in New York, she collaborates on projects celebrating Afro-Anglo Caribbean heritage.

Central to Ithalia’s work is a commitment to inclusivity and community through dance. After co-founding the award-winning dance charity Movema, she dedicated 14 years to using movement as a tool to bridge cultural divides and promote social change. She also embarked on a US tour with Cynthia Oliver Company: Riggidiggidim de Bambe de – Ruptured Calypso, featuring an all-female cast from the Caribbean diaspora.

Ithalia is currently working on projects like Powerful Gal and Dancing Queens, reflecting her dedication to social justice through creative expression. Beyond performance, she impacts education as a visiting lecturer at UCLAN and the University of Salford, addressing societal issues through dance. As a qualified ADHD coach certified by the ADDCA (ADD Coaching Academy),she empowers individuals to identify their strengths and potential. Passionate about creating spaces for joy and empowerment.

Karen Gallagher MBE

Born in Liverpool, trained at the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance in London in the early 80’s. Set up the dance and mime department for Second Out Theatre Workshop (1986) Programme Manager of 051 Media Training Limited (1991-92), Assistant Director at Cheshire Dance Workshop (1992-94), now Cheshire Dance, becoming Artistic Director of MDI (1994-2018).

A Graduate of Liverpool John Moore’s University (LJMU) in 2007 with an MA in Social Enterprise, received a BMOBO for MDI’s community dance practice (2010) and in 2011 was a runner up for Merseyside Woman of the Year. Awarded an MBE, for services to dance (2012) and awarded an Honorary Fellow of LJMU (2014), and Honorary Life Member of People Dancing (2016). In 2020 set up Karen Gallagher and Associates and works freelance.