Cherie trained at the University of Surrey with a focus in Contemporary and Traditional African and Caribbean Dance Forms. She joined Stopgap in 2013 as part of her placement year and after graduating with BA Hons in Dance and Culture and a 1st for her placement year in 2015, she re-joined Stopgap as an Access worker.
Since then Cherie has been Access Officer, Creative Learning Associate, Youth Leader and now Community Engagement Artist (3 days a week). Within this time she has performed in Moon Language, co- managed an international inclusive choreographic lab, was integral in the research of The Enormous Room which she then went on to tour with as Assistant Stage Manager, as well as observing and receiving in house teacher training to support, perform with or lead Stopgaps youth companies as well as teaching outreach workshops and Summer intensives.
As the Community Engagement Artist Cherie has mentored members of Sg2 in teacher training, co delivers inclusive teacher training nationally and internationally. Is essential in the research and delivery of Stopgaps inclusive syllabus; IRIS to the youth companies but also leads on the IRIS teacher training week. Cherie leads Farnham Youth Company but is also involved with all of Stopgaps regular youth companies. Cherie also appears in Stopgaps Dance For Kids with IRIS, a digital series of fun, inclusive, follow along dance classes for young people.
One of her favourite parts of her role is to deliver outreach projects within schools and colleges that have a performance or sharing at the end. To work with and support young people to grow, discover, build confidence and have an opportunity to perform is something Cherie is passionate about. Growing up with limited opportunities in South London and feeling very behind everyone else only starting her Dance journey at 16 she strives to create a warm, open, down to earth environment where everyone can be themselves and work to their full potential.
Originally run by The Dance Movement, Cherie is now also in charge of Thrive Youth Dance Company a safe place for young people who are facing challenging life circumstances.
Cherie has also worked/is working with; UNiT, Casson and Friends, DAiSY, Dance Woking, Zambesi, BLINK Dance Theatre, The Corn Exchange and The Dance Movement.