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''I've danced ever since I could walk. I hated being in class, I liked doing my own thing''. As a young girl Maggie Lewis attended ballet, tap and freestyle classes.

Throughout her life Maggie has been fueling her passion for dance. Her current job title is, extended schools and community arts team leader. This involves providing out of hours provision in the arts under the government curriculum.

She first went to Wolverhampton University to study P.E. She was very much into netball and even made it to the county level in England, but a bad injury meant she couldn't pursue a professional career.

She worked in a secondary school teaching P.E but also had to teach the dance classes. This is why she decided to do a degree in dance at the UCE in Birmingham, for more intense study. 

''I worked for a lot of advertised commissions and choreographed for people all over the country. At this point I also became the Youth Dance Director for Shropshire''.

Dudley Performing Arts

Maggie began teaching a dance class called Jigsaw for two hours on Thursday evenings which lead her to working two days a week as a dance artist for Dudley Performing Arts.

She later got a permanent job at DPA within the community arts team and was appointed arts co-ordinator for Jigsaw dance group.

''I've always been inspired by choreography and as I was the only dance artist within DPA at the time I choreographed for the first two Birmingham Arts Festivals back in 2000 and 2001''. 

In order to get more artists within DPA she led a Community Dance Leader Award. This enabled people to come in and get trained by Maggie herself to enter Dudley Performing Arts.

So what is she up to now?

''It’s about making young people aware of what they can do and how to get there''.

She also manages the whole team at DPA, plans group projects, organises dance events and manages ‘The Company’ which is a dance group formed by dance artists within DPA.

Through the years she has been inspired by a number of different people in her field of work. She still remembers the ballet ‘Firebird’ in which she loved the movement and how they danced, even though she didn't enjoy ballet herself.

''I feel that working with different people within the arts is an achievement for me still today''.

Maggie spotted Laura Simmons at the age of 13 and has worked with her ever since. Laura Simmons is now a professional artist and also works for DPA.

''Seeing people I have taught make a role for themselves as artists makes me feel I have achieved in what I do''. 

Dance in the community

''I feel there is a lot of dance for people to access, but there are pockets in society that we're not getting to''.

''Dance is life changing. The way you dance is the way your personality is and it allows you to express yourself in a non-threatening way''.

Get involved

To get involved in what Maggie does contact her on 01384 813904 or visit the Dudley Performing Arts website at: http://www.dudley.gov.uk/education-and-learning/extra-curricular-activities/dudley-performing-arts