Cascade Dance was founded in 2007 by Middlesex University graduates Ricia Taylor and Sam Blackden. Discovering a lack of contemporary dance provision within their local area they formed a company in Kent to reflect the genres growing success across the South East. Ricia and Sam believe in providing dance that is creative, original and inspiring, challenging participants and entertaining audiences of all ages. Their collective experience throughout years of training & delivery has given them a platform from which to launch Cascade Dance with an innovative and creative approach. The company continues to grow collaborating with a host of artists, practitioners and organisations across the South East.

Sam Blackden

Co - Artistic Director

Sam graduated from Middlesex University in 2006 with a BA Hons in Dance Performance. With vast experience in Contemporary techniques and a passion for choreography, Sam delivers a variety of the company's classes & projects,  working with early years groups through to adults. Sam is a qualified Kids Yoga teacher with Rainbow Yoga and accredited Acro teacher with Acrobatic Arts, integrating this knowledge and training into her teaching work. Sam holds a PGCE in Teaching & Education with Canterbury Christchurch University.

Ricia Taylor

Co - Artistic Director

Ricia graduated from Middlesex University in 2006 and gained a BA (Hons) in Dance Studies. Having studied jazz, musical theatre, ISTD tap and ballet, along with modern & Cecchetti ballet, Ricia has gained vast experience in both the performing and teaching world. Ricia is a qualified YMCA Aerobic, Ballet fitness, Aerial Hoop & Aerial Silks Instructor and alongside Cascade, runs a second buisness specialising in Aerial skills. Ricia takes the lead with the Competition Team alongside Primary & Secondary classes and projects. 

Sidonie Carey Green

Teacher - Youth & Adult 

Dr Sidonie Carey-Green is a practitioner-researcher based in the UK with 8+ years of experience in facilitation, filmmaking, and choreographic projects. She holds a PhD in dance from Royal Holloway University of London. She works as a teacher, choreographer and film practitioner across Kent and Surrey, teaching performance and technique for youth companies, adults, and universities. Her credits include Channel 4’s Random Acts, Malta’s European Capital of Culture, Brighton Dance Film Festival, Womencinemakers Bienale, and official selections in festivals globally.  In 2022 she held the role of lecturer and artistic director of the 3rd Year Touring Company for BA Dance at the University of Winchester, and previously she has been a sessional lecturer with Canterbury Christ Church University and Royal Holloway University of London.

Lara Hogbin

Teacher - Children & Youth 

Lara graduated from Chichester University in 2019 with a BA (hons) degree in contemporary dance, during which she had the opportunity to work with several professional choreographers, including Carmine de Amicis, James Wilton and Antonia Grove. She is also a qualified teacher of ballet and runs classes in this and contemporary dance for groups of various ages, from toddlers to mature dancers, at the Bakehouse Dance Studios, where she undertook her early training.  Alongside teaching, Lara also likes to perform where possible, working with Haus of Heels, Kent Youth Dance and previously Divine Company. Lara joined Cascade in 2021, delivering contemporary workshops and classes.

Natalie Stroud

Teacher - Primary & Youth Classes

Natalie has worked onstage extensively, appearing as the lead in shows such as ‘Rent’, ‘Footloose’, and ‘West Side Story’. Professional theatre credits include the UK tour of ‘Seussical the Musical’, ‘Honk!’, ‘Peter Pan’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’. She has sung professionally at the London Palladium, The London Hippodrome, and for ITV. More recently, Natalie has choreographed music videos for Bucks Fizz and acted as resident choreographer for the TV series ‘That was then, this is now’. Bridging the gap between the dance studio and the professional world of performing, she hopes to inspire all her students to be the best performers they can be. 

Felix Denton

Teacher - Primary, Youth & Adult Classes

Felix was a former Cascade Youth dancer before training at London Studio Centre gaining a BA Honours in Theatre Dance. Felix rejoined cascade as a teacher in 2017 teaching across several secondary and primary school projects and Tunbridge Wells Youth and Adult classes.  Felix also works as a choreographer, creating dance-on-screen for BBC film, music videos and commercials. Felix's performance credits include dancing with Moxie Brawl, DeafNoise and British Antarctic Survey. 

Emily Wraight

Teacher & Project Coordinator 

Emily Wraight graduated from Middlesex University in 2021 with a BA Hons in Dance Performance, specialising in contemporary and urban techniques. Emily joined Cascade at the end of 2021 as an intern, assisting and teaching across primary and secondary schools across Kent. As well as chaperoning at shows and festivals including U. Dance, Move It 2022, dance competitions and community shows. Emily is excited to continue to deliver a range of styles and be involved in other creative aspects, promoting and co-curating projects within the company. Emily is also project co-ordinator for Thrive Dance Platform. 

Ryan Abbott

Teacher - Youth & Adults

Ryan trained with Cascade Dance from the age of 16 before completeing 3 years of professional training at The Centre Performing Arts College. Graduating in 2016, he then went on to secure himself a performing arts agent. Ryan has worked across the UK with the lead role in a new fringe musical in London’s West End, played Johnny in the Dirty Dancing Alternative Cinema event, was a dancer on BBC’s The One Show and performed in various pantomimes. Ryan is happy to back with Cascade, where it all began for him. Teaching Musical Theatre Jazz, Jazz Technique and occasionally putting on a pair of heels to teach students a sassy Commercial routine.

Sophie Reed

Dance Teacher / Intern 2024 - 2025

Sophie graduated with a first-class BA Hons in Contemporary Dance from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2022. With the many opportunities to perform, Sophie had the chance to work closely with an array of choreographers and dance practitioners. This experience enriched her understanding and versatility in dance.  As she moves into teaching, she aims to blend her extensive experience across ballet, contemporary, lyrical and modern jazz. She is currently pursuing a Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education to further enhance her teaching skills. Sophie joins Cascade in 2024 to embark on her teaching journey! 

Dance Teacher 

Ella specializes in hip-hop and commercial styles, bringing her lifelong passion for dance to Cascade. A competitive dancer since age 7, she has represented the UK at the World and European Hip Hop Championships, gaining valuable experience as a performer.After many years dancing with Cascade, she now teach weekly classes and supports the competition team. Ella helps build confidence, and loves creating a positive and dynamic atmosphere where students can express themselves and develop their skills.