Meet The Team
Our dance team aren’t just professional teachers, they’re supportive mentors, role models, and creatives. Each team member brings their unique skills, outlook, and a passion for helping young people grow through movement.
Get to know the faces behind Spirix.
Amy Hodgson
Founding Director
Amy is the Director of Spirix and a trailblazing leader who has spent over 12 years using her dance experience to connect, empower, and inspire the community around her.
-
Amy is the Director of Spirix and a trailblazing leader who has spent over 12 years using dance to connect, empower, and inspire the community around her. Having grown up in Leigh, the area’s creative growth is close to her heart, her desire to nurture talent, champion young people, and genuinely care about everything she does makes Spirix what it is.
With a first class dance degree and a strong background in both education and community work, Amy’s delivered brilliant projects with organisations like Rugby League Cares, Curious Minds, Ludus Dance, and The Lowry, and has worked in schools for the past decade.
Amy has led large-scale productions such as Light Up Leigh, Streets Apart, as well as Spirix’s flagship event, Wigan Borough Dance Festival, and helps shape creative opportunities for young people through her roles with Wigan’s Cultural Education Partnership and Cultural Partnership. At Spirix, Amy leads with energy and purpose, keeping the work rooted in community while championing young people through dance. Amy was awarded One Dance UK Youth Dance Champion in 2022.
Lauren Gibson
General Manager
Lauren has been an integral part of Spirix for five years and now takes on the role of our General Manager.
-
Lauren has been part of Spirix for five years and now works as our General Manager. She’s the heart behind the scenes, making sure everything runs smoothly and supporting the team to deliver creative, meaningful projects. She’s passionate about giving young people a platform to shine and feel a true sense of belonging. One of her proudest moments was filming and delivering the Digital Dance Festival during lockdown, proof that nothing stops Spirix from showing up for young people.
Josh Hawkins
Project Manager & Lead Producer
Josh is the Artistic Director of Spirix Creatives and the founder of Hawk Dance Theatre.
-
Josh is the Artistic Director of Spirix Creatives dance company and the founder of Hawk Dance Theatre.
A graduate of Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Josh is a skilled choreographer, videographer, and photographer who brings movement and visuals together in powerful, creative ways. Josh has a passion for storytelling through dance and film, and his work is all about connecting with people and making meaningful experiences. He regularly collaborates with Spirix, supporting young dancers and capturing their journeys both on stage and on screen.
Jessica Bennett
Associate Artist
Jessica Bennet is a dynamic dance artist who has worked with renowned companies such as Wired Aerial Theatre and Company Carpi.
-
Jessica Bennett is a dynamic dance artist who has worked with brilliant companies such as Wired Aerial Theatre, Company Carpi, Cheshire Dance, and Aakash Odedra Company. Jess brings a wealth of experience as both a performer and facilitator, but what really drives her is working with young people. Their energy, ideas, and creativity constantly inspire her own practice. For Jess, dance is about freedom, expression, and creating joyful spaces where everyone can feel seen.
Gemma Watkin
Associate Artist
Gemma started dancing at 11 and she never looked back. Graduating with a first class dance degree in 2024, Gemma has gone from strength to strength at Spirix.
-
Gemma started dancing at 11 and she never looked back. Graduating with a first class dance degree in 2024, Gemma has gone from strength to strength at Spirix.
Gemma now leads Looking Up in Leigh while also teaching with Spirix. She’s all about creating the kinds of opportunities that shaped her own journey, those big, magical moments that stay with you forever.
For Gemma, it’s not just about dance, it’s about helping young people discover their creativity and keeping arts and culture alive in Leigh.
Caitlin Fagan
Associate Artist
Caitlin’s passion for dance started early in life. Today, it shapes everything she does.
-
Caitlin’s passion for dance started early in life. Today, it shapes everything she does.
Since joining Spirix in 2023, Caitlin has been inspiring young people to express themselves through movement and creativity. She was also part of the Looking Up in Leigh project, which deepened her commitment to using the arts as a tool for empowerment.
Caitlin brings kindness, positivity, and encouragement into every space she works in, helping young people feel seen, supported, and ready to shine.
Jessica Clarke
Associate Artist
Jessica Clarke has turned her love of dance into a career full of movement, connection, and creativity.
-
Jessica Clarke has turned her love of dance into a career full of movement, connection, and creativity. She’s trained and taught across loads of styles, but the thing that lights her up the most is seeing young people grow, not just as dancers, but as confident, expressive individuals.
Jess is all about unlocking that creative spark and building young people up through every class, every project, and every opportunity.
Evie Blackburn
Content Creator & Dance Artist
Evie’s Spirix journey started back in 2017, first as a student, then as a teacher, and now a key part of the Spirix team.
-
Evie’s Spirix journey started back in 2017, first as a student, then as a teacher, and now a key part of the Spirix team. She also performs with Spirix Creatives dance company, working alongside professional artists.
Evie brings presence, energy, and care to each session she leads. She's passionate about helping young people grow through dance, build confidence, and create lifelong memories. She also works on Looking Up in Leigh, using creativity to spark change and connection in her hometown.
Chloe Gotheridge
Chloe is a 19-year-old assistant with Spirix who brings warmth, positivity, and calm support to every session.
-
Chloe is a 19-year-old assistant with Spirix who brings warmth, positivity, and calm support to every session. She’s been dancing with Spirix for several years and now helps guide and encourage younger participants with confidence and care.
Alongside her work with Spirix, Chloe is studying Law, and is passionate about making a difference in the world - whether that’s through creativity, community, or championing fairness and opportunity for others.
Millie Davies
Associate Dance Artist
Millie is a talented young dance artist who is currently training at Pendleton College.
-
Millie is a talented young dance artist who’s currently training at Pendleton College. She’s been part of Spirix for the past three years, growing as both a performer and a leader.
Millie is also a dancer with Spirix Creatives and works as an assistant teaching artist with Spirix, supporting sessions and inspiring younger dancers. She brings energy, commitment, and passion into everything she does, and loves being part of a community that champions young people and celebrates their growth through dance.
Associate Dance Artist
Leah Mullock
Associate Dance Artist
