Meet the team

Reuel-Eli James

Digital Content Creator

Reuel-Eli James is a photographer and filmmaker based in Oxford. He got into photography around 5 years ago after investing in camera equipment to help create media content such as short films and vlogs. He enjoys using his work to tell stories of people and place.

He’s previously done work as an actor, director, writer, DOP (director of photography), editor and producer and is excited about using these skills to help develop Body Politic’s digital audience.

Rabiah Abbasi

Oxford CommUNITY Activist

Rabiah Abbasi is 18 years old and was born and raised in Oxford. She has been dancing since she was five, and has been working with Body Politic for several years after having started her relationship with the company as a young dancer.

“Body Politic has given me so many opportunities to grow in confidence and learn essential life skills. Hip-Hop and contemporary are my favourite styles of dance so having the opportunity to dance in a crew has been a great experience”.

Rabia has gone on to help teach dance and drama to children of all ages; at Pegasus Theatre in Oxford as well Parasol Project.

Rabiah states it is a privilege to be able to teach and work with such great people on a regular basis in the hometown of Oxford and she hopes to continue doing so after this project.

She is going on to study Biomedical Sciences in September at University.

Rachel Gildea

Producer

Rachel is a producer and facilitator with 14 years’ experience in the dance and theatre sector. She is passionate about widening access to the arts and removing barriers to education for young people, ensuring that inclusion is at the heart of everything she does.

For the past eight years, Rachel has been a Co-Director of BLINK Dance Theatre, a neurodivergent-led organisation based in London with NPO status, whose work has toured nationally.

As a facilitator, Rachel delivers dance and movement in a wide range of settings, working with participants of all ages. Her socially engaged, inclusive practice is responsive, collaborative and participant-led. Her work is guided by the idea that ‘the personal is political’, striving to give all voices and bodies a space.

Rachel is delighted to be working with Body Politic, whose work she has long admired and is excited to support the development of their life-changing work with young artists.

Natalie Wong

Dance Tutor

Natalie Wong is a graduating artist and dance teacher.

Natalie trained at the University of East London studying Urban Dance Practice graduating in class of 2020. Alongside this Natalie has taught for Body Politic Dance, Momentum Dance Academy and was an enabler for the Parasol Project Dance. Natalie has worked with different ages and abilities.

She started dancing contemporary at the age of four and then at a later age she discovered breakin’. Natalie has now trained in many styles of dance through clubs, groups, crews, college and university. From Natalie’s education at UEL she has learnt from many different successful artists in the dance industry. Her favourite styles are breakin’, contemporary and hip hop.

Natalie has a real passion for dance as it has had such a positive impact on her life and having the opportunity to teach has been incredibly rewarding.

To be able to express is a gift and to have the privilege to do that through dance is massive.
She loves to be able to see her students flourish and be part of helping them to be the best version of themselves.

Ella Goodwin

Hip Hop Dance Teacher

I am a professional working commercial dancer and dance teacher, with over 6 years of professional dance work and 3 years of teaching. Current teaching position at The Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts.

During her career she has worked for major artists and featured on well-known TV shows, with some highlights being Kylie Minogue, Little Mix, Mabel, Netflix – Dance 100, X- Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, The Brit Awards and many more.

Hip Hop Dance Teacher

Kyron Anthony

Hip Hop Dance Teacher

Kyron Jake Anthony is a professional dancer based in London. He has been training in Hip Hop since the age of 7, frequently battling, competing and winning European titles with the International Dance Organisation (IDO).

Since graduating from the University of East London (UEL), he has performed Anne Marie on the Greatest Dancer, internationally in Athens Greece Nostos festival and been a part of Sky Arts film Project Rebel, a Boy Blue Hip Hop theatre production.

Kyron is a passionate about sharing his love for Hip Hop Theatre with others and is excited about becoming one of Body Politic’s teachers.

Emma-Jane Greig

Founder & Artistic Director

Emma-Jane is the Founder and Artistic Director of Body Politic, an award-winning arts organisation that empowers children and young people through dance, creativity and leadership.

Over the past 13 years, she has led the organisation’s growth from a small grassroots initiative into a nationally recognised charity, creating opportunities for thousands of young people to develop confidence, build connections and realise their potential through the arts.

A South East-based dance artist, producer and facilitator, Emma-Jane has extensive experience working across education, health and community settings, including schools, alternative provision, youth services and mental health programmes. Her practice is rooted in the belief that creativity can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth, social change and community connection.

Alongside her leadership of Body Politic, Emma-Jane creates and tours Hip Hop Dance Theatre nationally, using performance to explore contemporary social issues and amplify underrepresented voices. As one of a relatively small number of female Hip Hop Dance Theatre makers touring work across the UK, she is passionate about championing diverse stories and creating pathways for the next generation of artists and leaders.

Emma-Jane Greig

Rachel Gildea

Natalie Wong

Ella Goodwin

Kyron Anthony

Victor Allen

Scarlet Bates

Mingyu Zhu

Nia Astride

Immanuel Isingoma

Zanna Horn

Lana Arcilla

Lauren Scott

TJ Mission

Amelie Meaden

Kai-Daniel Augustin

GET INVOLVED WITH THE COMPANY

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Success!

Supported by

Reuel-Eli James

Digital Content Creator

Rabiah Abbasi

Oxford CommUNITY Activist

Rachel Gildea

Producer

Natalie Wong

Dance Tutor

Ella Goodwin

Hip Hop Dance Teacher

Kyron Anthony

Hip Hop Dance Teacher

Emma-Jane Greig

Founder & Artistic Director

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