About us

Jill Edmonds has worked in Music Education for over 30 years, where she was Head of Music in a specialist music school.  She has conducted choirs which have appeared on radio and tv, but her greatest love is enabling children and adults to face their fears, follow their hidden dreams and be the best version of themselves. Jill’s musicianship is augmented by her amazing inspirational teaching style and ability to get the very best out of everyone she works with.

In addition to her teaching qualifications Jill is also a trained Counsellor.

Dr Sue Jennings has worked all over the world as a Drama Therapist, mentor and coach. In Greece she established the first Dramatherapy Training  programme in Athens.  She is a published author of numerous books across a wide range of related subjects. Her seminal book ‘Healthy Attachments and Neuro-Dramatic-Play’ has been translated into Greek.  She has worked in many countries establishing training courses in Dramatherapy, Play Therapy and Neuro-Dramatic-Play.  Currently she is Senior Research Fellow at the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon (University of Birmingham). www.ndpltd.org.

Ian is the Chief Executive of the Gosport and Fareham Multi-Academy Trust. The GFM was the first local Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) in Hampshire, United Kingdom.  Prior to its formation in 2017, he was the Headteacher of Bay House School during which time all five Ofsted inspections judged the leadership to be outstanding.

Ian’s research interests include System Leadership. He co-coordinates the International School Leadership Development Network, researching Social Justice Leadership in schools internationally. He is Chair of the BELMAS Council, the Society’s Coordinator for International Affairs and their representative on the CCEAM Board.

Ian is also a member of the BERA Conference Committee and ASCL Local Representative for Hampshire. He is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, a Senior Associate of the AoEA and a Thomas International Personality Profile Analysis Practitioner.

I am Vasiliki, a Northern Greek girl who fell in love with Naxos, while here on holiday many years ago. Initially trained as a certified podiatrist, I observed that our feet were the key to our balance and movement. Yet, as my training evolved, my curiosity to explore additional methods that bring health and wellness guided me to complete my training as a Yoga (Ayush Ministry of India) and Pilates (pre-natal & post-natal) instructor, Face Gua Sha practitioner and Wellness coach (National & Kapodistrian University of Athens). I refined the most effective methods and movements from each practice to create my wellness sessions.

Ever found yourself dreaming about just packing up and setting roots in a completely different life well that is basically what I did. 

I grew up in Australia studied medicine at the University of Newcastle and went on to work as an Emergency doctor in rural Australia and for the Care Flight rescue helicopter. After several months travelling I ended up on Naxos and basically didn’t leave. My first night here I met a man whom I would marry a few years later and have two beautiful children and slowly my hobby became my job. 10 years ago I completed a Diploma in Photography with the Photography Institute and have never looked back. From flying doctor to freelance photographer.

Artistic Director Chris Grimes will be running our Comedy Workshops. Chris is a highly experienced Facilitator, Workshop Leader, Coach and a Motivational Comedian. He is also a Broadcaster and host of “The Good Listening To Podcast: The Story Behind Your Story Show!” As well as for Naxos Creative in Greece, Chris runs courses in the UK and France.

https://thegoodlisteningtopodcast.buzzsprout.com

Over a 35 year career span Paul Denegri (HonARAM, FTCL, LTCL) has earned his reputation as an inspirational and creative teacher, conductor, composer, arranger, performer and adjudicator. At Trinity College he was awarded the I’ll Sono di Ottone Prize for Performance twice in successive years and the Student Union Chamber Prize. He has performed and recorded with the London Festival Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra to name but two. Paul was appointed Head of Brass, Percussion and Jazz and Commercial Music at Wells Cathedral school in 1986 and then went on to become Head of Music Performance at the School. In recognition of his services to music education and achievement within the music profession Paul was awarded an Honorary Associate to The Royal Academy of Music London. Paul is a published songwriter, composer and arranger and has written four full length musicals two of which received four star reviews on The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He also has his own music and literature publishing company Pandon Ltd which also promotes songwriters and composers.

You can listen to his inspirational podcast here

Antigone Gyra studied dance theatre at Laban Centre in London. She is the founder and artistic director of Kinitiras Network for Performing Arts (www.kinitiras.com). With Kinitiras she founded  and directed the first residency  centre for performing arts in Greece, from 2008 until 2019 , Kinitiras Studio.

Her works with Kinitiras have been commissioned many times from the Ministry of culture and other public and private organisations and have been performed in Greece and abroad. She is also designing and running community based , dance in education and elderly people programs. As a freelance choreographer  she is working at the theatre with many directors in National and free theatre and she is teaching movement and choreography in professional drama and dance schools.

Anna Tsichli Boissonnas studied at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and University of Bern.

She devised and directed performances, video art, events and happenings. Her works have been presented in Greece, Switzerland and other countries. She has collaborated as a dramaturg with several movement and performance-based groups.

She participated in festivals, congresses, committees, European research programs and workshops in Greece, Cyprus, UK, Denmark and Switzerland.

She has been teaching Devised Theatre and Theatre Directing for 17 years at the Department of Theatre Studies, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Peloponnese. at drama schools, detoxification centers, arts centers and schools in Greece, Cyprus, Denmark, Switzerland and UK.

Katerina is a certified & registered Yoga Teacher of Yoga Alliance and has completed 200 Teacher Training at OM Shanti Yoga & Pilates Academy; Katerina has also completed 60 hrs Yoga for Kids.She has been teaching at OM Shanti Yoga & Pilates Academy and various Dance schools both in Athens and Naxos.

Katerina has conducted successful yoga sessions with Coco-Mat Hotel in Athens as well as offering Yoga lessons for the Women in the Greek Maritime Shipping Industry and she is a mother of 4 children. Katerina is an active member of the Greek Maritime community as well as teaching Yoga daily for all levels.

Katerina has been practicing ballet for many years at KSOT (National School of Art of Athens) with studies at Laban Center Movement & Dance in the UK along with her Msc in Shipping.During her years in ballet she has danced with American Ballet Theater at Odeon Herodus of Atticus

Looking forward to seeing you on the mat or the beach and working for Naxos Creative courses.

Violetta has trained as an actor & director and has many years experience working in Greece, USA and in the UK. She is an inspirational teacher and is passionate about Greek Theatre and culture.

Louise originally trained as an Actor at The Drama Centre, London. She now works as an actor, presenter and voice over artiste. For Naxos Creative Louise coaches Acting, Presentation and Communication skills and has run many workshops using the techniques taught at the Drama Centre (including Method Acting) with amazing results. Louise has also directed several productions including for The Wells Theatre Festival.