The Crows are a fantastic group of women who step, run, roll, shake, climb and sometimes leap through life with an energy that is infectious. 

The decision to join this group was not difficult - just seeing one of the performances was enough for me to know that this was a very special group of dancers, and that even though my own dance experience was not extensive, there was probably a place for me somewhere. 

I've been with Crows since 2006 and love being part of the group. Jan is a fantastic choreographer who manages to bring together this group into performance every year. In my other life I have a nine year old son, and I work in education.  I have been a primary and secondary school teacher, an adviser, and currently I am with the Secondary Literacy Project.
 

After twenty years away from the stage it was with some trepidation I joined Crows Feet in 2007, seven weeks prior to curtain up on ‘Going for Baroque’! But I haven’t looked back! The Crows are the most amazing and talented bunch of women and it a great joy to be part of them. 

For many years I lived in London, where I worked as a librarian/museum curator. More recently I have been doing some work for DANZ as a researcher and writer. I am married with one son, aged eight, who wants to be the next lighting designer for Crows should Katrina Chandra be unavailable.
 

 I hardly ever miss a rehearsal. I don't know what they'd do without me. Errr ...well actually I don't know what I'd do without them. My background is born and bred Wellingtonian, my work is design/production for advertising, my play is in the garden and dancing. I started dancing with Leigh Brewers Aerobic Dance many years ago and that has inspired me to experience other dance styles. I own one grumpy male tabby cat

My life is full of creativity as an artist and crafter, which spills over seamlessly into Crows Feet. Over time my role has expanded to include not only dance but set design and build, properties and anything else I'll put my hand up for. I can't resist challenges like how to make a large sculpture with the feeling of water, that can be assembled on stage; how to convey 18th Century panniers light enough to wear in contemporary dance; and pedestals that reflect light through water creating depth of mood.

Our latest show gets me thinking about what can be achieved through dance with kitchen utensils. The realm of experimentation - elasticity of cloth, balance and counter balance, and what our minds need to make something real and believable. Lots of interesting work ahead.

 I grew up in Gisborne and after graduating from Auckland University in 1968, lived for years at a stretch in south-east Asia, New York and Australia.

Having danced nearly all my life - though never professionally - I joined Crows feet nearly 10 years ago. 

I have an MA in Creative Writing from Victoria University and my first book of poetry, 'Len and other poems', was published in 2003 by Steele Roberts.

I have three daughters, 3 grandchildren and have just turned 60.
 

I've been dancing for about 10 or 11 years, mainly contemporary evening classes while living in London. When I came back to New Zealand at the end of 2007 I was on the lookout for classes or a group that I could join in Wellington. A friend got tickets for Requiem at the fringe in March 2008 and I watching it I felt it was something I would love to be involved in. I joined in early May last year and now here I am in the fringe myself! It's fantastic to be involved with such a talented, inspiring bunch of women.

Although sport has been my career, I have always loved dance and my favourite discipline as a freestyle skier was the ballet. What people don't know about me is I have been a Baha'i for 22 years. I joined Crows Feet 4 years ago and am still trying to dance like no one is watching. Big progress is I no longer need 'rescue remedy' when we perform in public, well maybe just for the opening night. What I love about Crows is the diversity of women, the inclusive supportive environment and Jan's boundless enthusiasm. The highlight of last year was becoming a dancing Grandmother too

As a child, I was "the clumsy one" and sent to remedial ballet for a year. Since then, rock'n'roll, square dancing, quickstep, Scottish Country Dancing, jazzercise ...  but I love Crows Feet best by far. I joined around 2004. Sally was injured. So in one strenuous part of the performance, she simply walked across the stage - ever so gracefully! - with a vase. I could do that, I thought. My work: training people to write web content, and writing books.

I am a trained Primary School Teacher and through my job, and privately, I have taught children dance in the classroom, and for concerts and productions. I am married with three school-aged children. My two girls, Isabelle and Simone, danced with me in Crowsfeet's Requiem in 2008 - a very special experience. I have been a member of Crowsfeet since 2000.