Belfast Movement Choir call for participants

We are inviting women across the city to join us for  the second year of the Belfast Movement Choir.

Funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the Maiden Voyage Dance Belfast Movement Choir is an intergenerational project which focuses on movement for health and wellbeing for women across Belfast.  Despite its name, Movement Choirs are not about singing – they aim to bring groups of people together through dance, in one communal, celebratory, cultural activity.

The Belfast Movement Choir will see groups of 12 women aged 18-80+ begin their autumn term in person in North, South, East and West Belfast as well as on Zoom, from the start of November. There will be an autumn, winter and spring term for the Choir over a period of six months, ending with an outdoor event performance or filmed performance in spring 2022.

The Choir is led by Sandy Cuthbert, Dance Engagement Coordinator and one of the stars of ‘Epilogue’, Maiden Voyage Dance’s recent sell-out film installation at the Belfast International Arts Festival.  Sandy says:

“The Belfast Movement Choir is a celebration of the joy of creativity and moving together.  It is accessible for women with all levels of dance experience and for those with none. We do not teach a particular style of dance, but rather support participants to express their own creativity with movement.

Choir participants are all shapes and sizes and that is something that we celebrate, in a totally safe and non-judgemental space.  A number of our participants are mature and older women.

The movement is not high impact and the facilitator will only deliver what is appropriate for each group and is sensitive to each individual within that group.  Each participant is supported to work at their own pace while they build their confidence and comfort level.”

There are a number of benefits in taking part in dance at any age, including building mental and physical agility, increasing movement memory and alertness, working in collaboration and developing your creativity, self-confidence and self-esteem.


Finn O’Gorman
took part in the first year of the Belfast Movement Choir and found that it opened up lots of new possibilities for her:

“At an age where my movements were becoming restricted and the future seemed defined by limitation, Belfast Movement Choir introduced me to a world I hadn’t ever imagined.

Here was an arena where motion was redefined and expanded. Any and all parts of the body could be enlivened by expression; parts previously abandoned were brought back into the fold.

I developed a new relationship, a new conversation with my own body which is informing every aspect of my life, this new life – no longer defined by limitations, but by potential and possibility.” 

Taking part in the Maiden Voyage Dance Movement Choir is free and you don’t need any previous dance experience. 

Register with your name and preferred venue and we’ll be in touch with further information.

Belfast Movement Choir – venues:

North Belfast – The Duncairn Arts Centre – McCrory Hall

Week Beginning 8th November – Thursday 7.30-9.30pm

Adult Group

Facilitator Sandy Cuthbert

Number of places available:  Now Full


South Belfast-
The Crescent Arts Centre

Week Beginning 8th November – Monday 10am-12 noon

Adult Group

Facilitator-Jane Mooney

Number of places available:  Now full


West Belfast-
The Spectrum Arts Centre-Dance Studio

Week Beginning 8th November – Thursday 11am-12 noon

Adult Group

Facilitator-Anna Treanor

Number of places available:  7


East Belfast-
Vault Studios

Week Beginning 8th November –  Wednesday 5-6pm

Young Adults (13-18 years)

Facilitator-Rosie Mullin

Number of places available:  12


Zoom group for those not able to attend face-to-face sessions

Week Beginning1st November – Wednesday 10.00-11.30am

Adult Group

Facilitator-Anna Treanor & Rosie Mullin

Number of places available:  6