Movement Connects CIC was born in November 2020, founded by local movement practitioners, Emma Zangs and Steph Townsend. Amid the challenges of Covid-19, they envisioned a regular online meet-up where local movement practitioners could come together to support each other through these unprecedented times.
Since our inception, Movement Connects has:
- Gained a vibrant community of 70 members from across East Anglia.
- Conducted weekly Open Practice sessions for over a year, providing a consistent space for practitioners to refine their skills and connect with peers.
- Led over 12 monthly professional classes, fostering continuous learning and professional growth.
- Hosted more than 10 Continued Professional Development (CPD) events, ensuring our members have access to ongoing education and advancement opportunities.
- Organised a Scratch Night, showcasing the creative works of our talented community.
Our ongoing journey and achievements have been made possible with the generous support from:
- Norwich Theatre
- DanceEast
- Copperdot Studio
- Norfolk Arts Fund
- Arts Council England
- Norfolk ProHelp
- Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy – Networks Funding Scheme
Co-directors
Emma Zangs
Emma Zangs is a Choreographer and Communication Coach based between London and Norwich. She holds an MA in Choreography from TrinityLaban Conservatoire and was a resident of Sadler’s Wells Artist Development Programme (2015-18).
Drawing from choreography and movement direction practice, Emma Zangs has developed an alternative approach to public speaking training. Her method combines movement, reactive thinking, situational awareness and embodying flow.
Her movement expertise ranges from Contemporary Dance, Yoga and Ballet to Authentic Movement, and Somatic Awareness. She has co-founded several businesses in the past, including Metaspeech, Marquez&Zangs and Creative&Live.
For the past four years, Emma Zangs worked with growing and established businesses from GoCardless to Google as well as accelerators such as Geovation, Wayra and Dream Assembly Farfetch. She is a guest lecturer at Cass Business School and successfully trained startups to pitch at Dragon’s Den and win the royal Pitch At Palace competition.
Emma believes that movement connects us all to our environment and to each other. By re-aligning our mind and body we can find peace and thrive on this planet.
E: emma@movementconnects.org.uk
Social Links
Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram
Steph Townsend
Steph Townsend is a Norwich-based Creative Movement Practitioner with a deep passion for creating opportunities and experiences that allow people of all ages to express themselves and explore their wellbeing through Aerial Arts, Dance and wellbeing practices.
She graduated from Coventry University in 2012 with a First Class BA (Hons) in Dance Making and Performance.Since then, Steph has built a dynamic career as a mutli-disciplinary performer, facilitator and project manager with over 12 years of experience.rHer professional journey has featured collaborations with renowned artists and companies such as Fidgetfeet Aerial Dance Theatre, Glass House Dance, Earth-bound, Global Grooves and Kate Taylor.
Steph’s work is driven by her belief in the power of trusted and genuine relationships within the dance sector. She is passionate about creating and nurturing valuable connections between artists, organisations, and participants.
E: steph@movementconnects.org.uk
Social Links
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
