In this episode of Dancing Class, dance artist Ella Tighe reflects on her journey from the disco freestyle competitions of working men's clubs in Bradford to contemporary dance training, international study, and creating her acclaimed solo work Disco Queen. Ella explores the deep roots of disco freestyle in working-class communities, and the confidence, discipline, and cultural value it instilled in her from a young age. The conversation traces Ella's experiences of class, belonging, and higher education, revealing how she initially distanced herself from her freestyle background in order to fit into contemporary dance spaces, before ultimately returning to it as a source of artistic identity and pride. Key themes include cultural capital, mobility, shame, aspiration, and the challenges of navigating different social and artistic worlds. Ella's episode is a powerful discussion about reclaiming what shaped us, challenging assumptions about working-class culture, and advocating for dance forms that are often overlooked or misunderstood.

Date Recorded: 27th February 2026

Sound Recordist: Cody Mellor

Editing: Dr Laura Taylor

Audio accompaniment: Dr Jess Blaise Ward

Audio accompaniment mastering: Michael Ward

Join Tanya Arnold for a special episode of Carnegie Conversations, recorded in front of a live audience at the Carnegie Sport Nutrition Symposium in collaboration with British Dietetic Association Sport Nutrition Group.

Tanya speaks to Sir Kevin Sinfield CBE, performance nutritionist James Moran and Professor Ben Jones about the 7 in 7 challenges and the team behind them.

Kevin shares how a promise to his friend Rob Burrow became a series of fundraising challenges for the motor neurone disease community. Together, they explore the food, sleep and support that keep the team going, the moments that have stayed with them and their preparations for challenge number seven.

Listen now to hear their stories.

Or you can watch the conversation here: https://youtu.be/3c3lgY0SVOE

In this episode of Dancing Class, Dr Karen Wood reflects on her journey from a working-class upbringing in Birmingham to becoming a dance academic, researcher, and advocate for freelance dance artists. Raised by a typist and a lift engineer, Karen traces her lifelong relationship with dance, from childhood tap, disco competitions, and homemade costumes to working at Sainsbury’s by day and raving by night before eventually finding her way into higher education.

Karen discusses being the first in her family to attend university, the challenges of navigating academia as a working-class woman, and the imposter syndrome that has accompanied her career. Throughout the conversation, she highlights the importance of mentors, community, and collective action, as well as the role dance has played as a source of joy, belonging, resilience, and social mobility. Drawing on her research into the working conditions of freelance dancers, Karen argues for greater recognition of dance workers’ skills and value, while reflecting on how class continues to shape opportunities, identities, and experiences within the arts. This is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about persistence, connection, and the transformative power of dance.

Date Recorded: 21st April 2026

Sound Recordist: Cody Mellor

Editing: Dr Laura Taylor & Cody Mellor

Audio accompaniment: Dr Jess Blaise Ward

Audio accompaniment mastering: Michael Ward

In the second episode of Bridges Not Barriers, Helen Linsell reflects on the early stages of her career after graduating from Laban and the experiences that led her to Dance United Yorkshire. Helen shares how her work with young people from working-class communities and challenging backgrounds revealed the transformative potential of dance when delivered with high expectations, strong boundaries and genuine respect. A pivotal experience working with a group of young male hip-hop dancers taught her the importance of recognising participants’ existing cultural knowledge and positioning dance as a collaborative process rather than imposing established artistic hierarchies.

The conversation also explores class, funding inequalities, access to cultural spaces, and the value of community-based dance practice. Drawing on nearly two decades with Dance United Yorkshire, Helen argues that dance can help people who feel excluded, overlooked or “written off” by society develop confidence, belonging and a sense of value.

In the first of two episodes with Helen Linsell, Artistic Director of Dance United Yorkshire, she discusses her work using dance as a catalyst for change with people facing social exclusion, including those in prison, recovery from addiction, and other challenging circumstances. She reflects on her upbringing in south-east London, the influence of her mother in nurturing her interest in the arts, and how youth theatre provided a sense of belonging and confidence during adolescence.

Helen describes her unexpected journey into contemporary dance through studying Theatre Studies at Lancaster University, where a lecturer introduced her to physical theatre and dance practices that ultimately shaped her career. The conversation explores the transformative potential of arts education, the importance of access and opportunity, and how dance can build confidence, resilience and community. Throughout, Helen highlights the power of setting high expectations, arguing that creating bridges rather than barriers can enable people to achieve more than they ever imagined possible.

In this episode of The Dancing Class Podcast, dance artist and former performer Junior Cunningham reflects on his journey from a working-class upbringing in Birmingham to a long and successful career in dance. He discusses how dance became a turning point in his life after a difficult experience of school, the influence of mentors and family support, and his training at Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

Junior explores how dance expanded his horizons, providing opportunities to travel, develop new skills, and build a career with Motionhouse and beyond. He also reflects candidly on class, race, social mobility, and the precarity of working in the arts today. Throughout the conversation, he argues for the value of arts education and the transformative power of dance in opening up possibilities for young people from working-class backgrounds.

In this episode, Aletta Collins OBE reflects on her journey from a self-described working-class upbringing to becoming one of the UK's most celebrated choreographers and directors. From discovering contemporary dance by chance in a summer school class to working across dance, opera, theatre and film, Aletta discusses class, creativity, opportunity, and the resilience needed to sustain a life in the arts. She reflects on how dance opened doors while shaping her understanding of community, opportunity and belonging and shares candid insights into artistic ambition, financial precarity and mentorship. Aletta champions dance as a vehice for creating connection, confidence and social mobility

Sound Recordist: Dr Laura Taylor

Editing: Dr Laura Taylor

Audio accompaniment: Dr Jess Blaise Ward

Audio accompaniment mastering: Michael Ward

Join Tanya Arnold for a very special episode celebrating the remarkable people inducted into the Leeds Beckett University Sport Hall of Fame.

More than 20 alumni were inducted in June 2026, recognising their outstanding achievements and lasting impact on sport and society.

Tanya speaks to Sir Kevin Sinfield CBE, Natalie Metcalf, Jamie Peacock MBE, Stuart Lancaster, Alexandra Bell and Ali Jawad about their careers, defining moments and the people and experiences that inspired them along the way.

Listen now to hear their stories.

Or you can watch the conversations here: https://youtu.be/Ypx6cUue7BE