Neus Gil Cortes

One minute (and 2 seconds 😉) on who we are and why your life will be better for following us 💪🏼💪🏼 #LeadAndCreate #CreativeLeadership#ChoreographerLife #DanceLeadership #FreelanceArtist #ArtistSupport #Choreography #IndependentArtist #LeadershipCourses #OnlineCourses #ProfessionalDevelopment #NeusGilCortes

Let’s talk about guilt. We feel guilty for not resting enough. And then guilty for resting instead of sending the email. As dancers: – For not going to every audition – For going to auditions we knew weren’t right – For not pushing hard enough – For pushing too hard As choreographers: – For seeing friends instead of seeing a show – For not seeing friends enough – For almost burning out – For not using the train journey to draft that Arts Council England application – For not explaining our boundaries – For not holding them Here’s the thing. Guilt is not feedback. It doesn’t clarify your priorities. It doesn’t improve your leadership. It keeps you fixated on what’s missing — and paralyses you into self-criticism. And yes, there are systemic tensions here. We are told to rest, to avoid burnout. But if we don’t apply for funding, email programmers, coordinate collaborators, and prepare plans A, B and C — the work doesn’t happen. That pressure is real. It’s not just personal failure. But leadership isn’t about responding to pressure with panic. It’s about developing intentional awareness: – What actually matters today? – What is the best use of my energy? – What can wait? – What needs support? You already practise this in the studio. You assess capacity. You adapt to conditions. You work relationally. This is not about doing more. It’s about choosing with clarity. So I’m curious: Which feels hardest for you right now? – Assessing your energy – Accepting your limits – Asking for help Or — which one will you practise this week? If you want a space to think this through properly, you can book a 1:1 session with me. Leadership doesn’t mean doing it alone. #danceleadership #creativeleadership Filmed at @espailagranja

💃🏻 CALLING ALL CHOREOGRAPHERS💃🏻 Want to create your best work yet? Our art doesn’t happen in isolation and if you are a choreographer ➡️ You Are a Leader Too!!! 👀 That’s why we are running our second LEADERSHIP FOR INDEPENDENT CHOREOGRAPHERS course. Completely online so you can access from anywhere and packed with incredible facilitators who will guide you through seven weeks of flexible learning and live masterclasses to provide you with practical tools, reflective frameworks and mentoring guidance. If you book before the 10th of October you’ll have access to our early bird price of £115 too (which works out as just £16.42 per week!). 🔗 Link in bio. Let’s do this 💪🏼 #LeadAndCreate #CreativeLeadership #ChoreographerLife #DanceLeadership #FreelanceArtist #ArtistSupport #LeadershipCourse #IndependentArtist #LeadershipTools #NeusGilCortes Photo: @lolagarciaphotography

When dance becomes your profession, it can become harder to dance just for the love of it. You start judging every movement by quality, productivity, perfection… But there’s something beautiful about returning to the feeling that brought you there in the first place. Moving without pressure. Letting emotion lead instead of performance. I used a song from Pedro Almodóvar’s world to reconnect with myself. It’s sad, tender, emotional. I sometimes think a song can help you actually process what’s been sitting inside you. This was one of those moments. Just dancing casually, honestly, and for the love of it, like I used to.

Part 1. Here are just some of the biggest mistakes I see choreographers making and actionable steps you can use to resolve them.

The industry quietly assumes that if you can make strong work, you should already know how to hold a room, guide people, and create the conditions for dancers to thrive. But are you REALLY getting the best of your dancers? Are your dancers more energised and inspired after a process with you…or are they depleted and frustrated because they have been on auto-pilot for so long, constantly seeking your validation? Most of us have been in processes that didn’t get the best out of the dancers, so I think it’s time to stop letting leadership be the fault of that. Comment “LEAD” to book your free 10 minute call.

The audience are gonna feel you.

It’s not you, funding for the arts in UK is tight at the moment. And that has a direct impact on your art- but you can still make the best out the time you have with your dancers and lead your process with intention. But you know what often gets in the way? Self doubt Working through constant self doubt takes real resolve, but change starts with small, conscious steps. Start now by getting your Free guide in bio. #danceleadership #creativeleadership #choreographers

Choreography doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Get the support you deserve. Book your free 10-minute call ↓

“Because when you’re fully in it, doubt doesn’t stand a chance.” Lead & Create is a one of a kind community for independent choreographers. We help support you in leading stronger, more intentional creative processes through specialised 1:1 coaching, courses and weekly newsletter insights and updates. But just to get you started…a gift from me 🎁 “From Doubt to Drive” is a step-by-step framework to help you understand your self-doubt, move through it, and build a more grounded, sustainable creative practice. Get your FREE guide via the link in bio and, whilst you’re there, you may as well sign up to our newsletter for weekly insights in leading your best processes 🔗🔗 And lastly, follow us and join this community for more honest conversations about the dance industry. #creativeleadership #danceleadership #choreographerlife

Stress doesn’t know context. So when you’re in rehearsal leading a room and it feels overwhelming, it’s not a sign that you’re failing, it actually means you’re just deeply invested in your work But caring too much isn’t the problem. The issues arise when you’re trying to lead without ever being taught the necessary skillset. This is where your leadership has to shift. From holding everything alone → to building trust within the room. From controlling everything → to creating something with people. If you can’t minimise pressure, you need better ways to move through it. Which is where we come in… Lead & Create is a community for independent choreographers. We help support you in leading stronger, more intentional creative processes through training, courses and weekly newsletter insights and updates. But it doesn’t stop there… For those wanting something more personal, I’m also a certified coach, working 1:1 with choreographers who are ready to go deeper—into their creative patterns, their decision-making, and the way they hold space in the studio. And as a gift from me 🎁 “From Doubt to Drive” — a step-by-step framework to help you understand your self-doubt, move through it, and build a more grounded, sustainable creative practice. Find it ALL via the link in bio 🔗 And follow us for more honest conversations about the dance industry.

➡️The pressure is real. Performing under pressure: Part 2 As a choreographer you have to embed care in your process. But how do you stay present for others without losing yourself as an artist? Lead & Create is a community for independent choreographers. We support you in leading stronger, more intentional creative processes through training, courses, and weekly newsletter insights. But it doesn’t stop there… For those wanting something more personal, I’m also a certified coach, working 1:1 with choreographers,like you, who are ready to develop their skillset and enhance how they hold space in the studio. You can book your 1:1 with me, Neus, via the link in bio 👀 And as a gift from me 🎁 “From Doubt to Drive” — a step-by-step framework to help you understand your self-doubt, move through it, and build a more grounded, sustainable creative practice. Find it in the link in bio 🔗 And finally, follow us for more honest conversations about the dance industry.