Dance Umbrella is delighted to welcome two exceptional new trustees to our board: Simeilia Hodge-Dallaway and Nikhil Bolton-Patel, two individuals whose passion, expertise and commitment to the arts will be invaluable in shaping our future.
Meet Simeilia Hodge-Dallaway
Simeilia Hodge-Dallaway is a visionary arts leader whose influence spans the UK, the US, and the wider globe. As the founder of Beyond The Canon and co-founder of Black Lives Black Words, she has carved out spaces for marginalised voices and stories. Simeilia’s impressive career also includes roles as a curatorial consultant at Factory International, researcher and project manager for Kwame Kwei-Armah’s groundbreaking Black Plays Archive at the National Theatre, and creative producer of the I AM Festival at the Goodman Theatre. Beyond her leadership roles, she’s an acclaimed author, celebrated for compiling the first-ever monologue anthology for Black actors.
Reflecting on her new role at Dance Umbrella, Simeilia shared:
“It's an honour to serve on the board of the most dynamic, innovative, and forward-thinking dance organisation. Dance was my entryway into the arts, and nothing has brought me greater joy than witnessing Dance Umbrella, year after year, push the boundaries of dance, revolutionise the industry, and provide an artistic home for local and international groundbreaking talent. I look forward to serving alongside DU's impressive board members and dedicated staff as we collectively shape what’s to come.”
Introducing Nikhil Bolton-Patel
Nikhil Bolton-Patel brings a wealth of financial expertise and a deep love for the arts to his role as trustee. Currently a Senior Finance Analyst at ATG Entertainment, Nikhil has also held key financial positions with National Theatre Productions and The Place. His career journey began with a love for contemporary dance – a passion that ultimately opened doors for him in the performing arts sector.
Speaking about joining the board, Nikhil said:
“Contemporary dance gave me my foot in the door to the UK performing arts industry. I’m beyond excited to now have the opportunity to be part of Dance Umbrella, an organisation that year after year opens London’s main stages to a diverse range of exceptional artists who might not have had the chance to present their work otherwise. Widening and diversifying access to the sector is central to Freddie and Tania’s vision for DU, and I’m thrilled to support them and the team in achieving it.”
Looking Ahead
As we prepare for the next Dance Umbrella Festival and continue our work beyond, we’re thrilled to have Simeilia and Nikhil on our team. Their expertise, energy and perspectives will undoubtedly help us forge new paths and expand the impact of contemporary dance across the UK and beyond.
Welcome to the Dance Umbrella team, Simeilia and Nikhil – we can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together!