Julie’s career in the arts started when she was four years old, with a passion for ballet and dance. After gaining a BA Hons Degree in Creative Arts (Theatre and Contemporary Art) Julie went on to become a freelance lecturer for South East Derbyshire College, set up a small scale touring theatre company that created and performed original work called Cloak and Dagger and worked as a freelance dance and drama practitioner. Julie became Director of People Express in 1992 as a job-share, also working for disability led organisation East Midlands Shape, and took over the post full time in 1994. Julie discovered the world of ‘participatory and community arts’ at an inspirational conference in Dublin, and has been passionate about and committed to the principles of community development and empowerment through the arts ever since. Julie currently lives with her husband in Belper and has three daughters and four adorable grandsons.