Catherine Cassidy-Dedics

Catherine Cassidy-Dedics is the Global Director of Healing Arts and Director of International Engagement at the Jameel Arts & Health Lab. Catherine created and directed Healing Arts Scotland together with the Jameel Arts & Health Lab team and organisations across Scotland in 2024. She has over 25 years’ professional experience of using dance in a wide range of community settings, from health to education and reformation. In her 15 years as Director of Organisational Culture & Engagement at Scottish Ballet, Catherine has ensured that what audiences see and hear on the stage is what they will be participating with in their communities or dance studio across Scotland and internationally. She has led the company to become specialists in dance health with Scottish Ballet launching as a National Centre for Dance Health in 2023 and designated as an international Centre of Excellence by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in 2025. SB Health includes five evidence-based projects for people living with neurological conditions, including, Dance for Parkinson’s Scotland, dementia-friendly Time to Dance and Elevate for people living with multiple sclerosis. 

Catherine graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1998 and worked both nationally and internationally as a choreographer, dance artist and producer. Catherine has undertaken the role of Specialist Advisor for the Arts Council of England, Creative Scotland and Imaginate Children’s Festival and is a member of the Board of Trustees for Motionhouse.