Meet the Choreographers Behind ORIGIN: A Mixed Bill

John Burrow joined DanceSyndrome in 2019. He discovered that dance was a powerful way to support his mental health and learning difficulties, and since then his confidence, skills and love of performance have significantly grown.

During the pandemic, when DanceSyndrome’s face-to-face community sessions moved online, John continued dancing every week on Zoom and later joined outdoor sessions as in-person activity returned. He went on to complete DanceSyndrome’s Level 2 Dance Leadership training and has since progressed to co-delivering the Level 1 qualification.

Alongside his role as a Dance Leader, John also performs with DanceSyndrome’s DS Collective and has performed at several prestigious events, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2023. His performance experience led John to take an active interest in choreography and through the iCreate project he has been able to develop his skills as an Artist in this area. John’s journey perfectly reflects the principles of DanceSyndrome’s work, creating opportunities for people to develop their skills and grow as confident, creative leaders.

John has choreographed “Rebirth of Venus” for ORIGIN: A Mixed Bill.

Josh Hawkins is a Manchester-based Director, Choreographer and Dancer. Since founding Hawk Dance Theatre in 2015, he has created and produced a wide range of original projects for stages, screens and festivals, with his work presented across the UK and internationally.

Josh is passionate about collaboration and creating dynamic movement work that connects different art forms and reaches diverse audiences. In 2025, he completed his first international tour with The Greatest Robot Ever, performing ten dates across Canada. He also works across television and screen, developing his movement and directorial practice in commercial and narrative contexts, with performance credits including Barbie (Warner Bros, 2023).

Josh has choreographed “Outline” for ORIGIN: A Mixed Bill.

Maiya Leeke is a Performer and Choreographer whose practice spans contemporary dance, theatre, film and large-scale performance. Her work is shaped by collaboration, curiosity and a commitment to creating performances that connect with audiences in meaningful ways.

Maiya has been supported by Sadler’s Wells as a Young Associate 2023–2025, shortlisted for the Arts Foundation Fellowship Future Awards, and recognised through the Jerwood Choreographic Research Award. She has performed with companies including Candoco Dance Company, Cathy Waller Company, CoDa Dance Company and Paraorchestra.

Maiya has choreographed “Duplicate” for ORIGIN: A Mixed Bill.

Dai Matsuoka is a Butoh Dancer, Choreographer and the Founder and Director of LAND FES, a non-profit organisation in Japan that connects Dance Artists, local communities and socially marginalised people. He graduated from Sophia University’s Faculty of Comparative Culture and Kuwasawa Design School and has performed with the internationally acclaimed company Sankai Juku since 2005.

Dai has appeared in major Sankai Juku works including Kinkan Shonen, Tobari, Unetsu and ARC. Since 2017, he has led the Scramble Dance Project, where disabled and non-disabled people create dance together. The project was initially guided by Yoshito Ohno, a legendary figure in Butoh, and has since been developed by Dai and LAND FES, with work shared internationally, including at the Korea International Accessible Dance Festival in Seoul.

Dai also runs BUTOH CHOREO LAB, an online platform featuring video lessons by high-profile Butoh dancers. His international collaborations include work with Phantom Limb Company, Paola Prestini and Adriaan Luteijn of INTRODANS, with whom he co-choreographed the integrated dance piece UNUM for Osaka Kansai EXPO 2025.

Dai has choreographed “Riptide” for ORIGIN: A Mixed Bill.

Kelly McClelland is a Dance Artist, Choreographer and Teacher whose work is rooted in musicality, authenticity and celebrating the individuality of every dancer. She trained at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, gaining a first-class honours degree in contemporary dance and a ‘Masters’ in performance. Kelly has worked with acclaimed choreographers including Hofesh Shechter, Rafael Bonachela, Shobana Jeyasingh, Kim Brandstrup, Fin Walker and Glenn Wilkinson.

Kelly now runs Eden Dance in North Cumbria and teaches as part of the core tutor team for the National Centre for Advanced Training in Dance at The Lowry. Her creative and teaching practice has included work with Phoenix Youth Academy, Rambert Grades and a range of visiting companies and artists. She has also created large-scale choreography for major sporting and cultural events, including UEFA Women’s Champions League Final Opening Ceremonies, Rugby League stadium events and community celebrations across Cumbria.

Kelly brings vibrancy, soul and generosity to every creative process. As an advocate for dance in Cumbria, she continues to create opportunities for local residents and emerging talent to thrive.

Kelly has choreographed “The Four Fire Festivals” for ORIGIN: A Mixed Bill.