This year, through the 2025 Our Voice Bursary, Our Voice Network – in partnership with Ballet Cymru – will support Shakeera Ahmun and Jadyn Bagayas to develop as choreographers and to build connections in the arts sector in Wales to lead to touring and presenting opportunities for their work.
The 2025 Our Voice Bursary recipients were chosen through an open selection process for those with less than two years’ experience in touring their work, where they showcased a rigorous, equitable choreographic practice for public benefit.
Shakeera Ahmun
Shakeera is a Cardiff based movement artist passionate about exploring storytelling through movement and performance. Having previously worked on solo choreographic works, she’s really excited to explore her choreographic practice further with the Ballet Cymru dancers through the Our Voice Network choreographic bursary and connecting with the company as a whole.
Jadyn Bagayas
Jadyn Arriola Bagayas is a Filipina dancer and creative from New Zealand. She trained in New York with Ballet Academy East and Ballet Rhode Island, and is now a Pre-Professional with Ballet Cymru in Wales. Jadyn aims to inspire others in the way that dance continues to inspire her – creating work that connects and expresses meaningful stories through movement and collaboration.
Successful recipients will be supported for one year (September 2025 – August 2026) in the following ways:
- monthly mentoring sessions with Ballet Cymru staff to support their development as choreographers;
- support from artist and Our Voice Network founder Krystal S. Lowe, including application and CV writing, feedback on ideas, finding jobs and opportunities, and building connections with people in the arts sector to support ongoing career development;
- a public showcase of their work in the 2026 Our Voice Sharing held at Ballet Cymru, produced by Krystal S. Lowe;
- a £600 bursary to support expenses and time to develop their art-form.
“Ballet Cymru are really pleased to be partnering with Our Voice Network to support Shakeera Ahmun and Jadyn Bagayas to develop as choreographers and to connect them with opportunities to tour their work throughout Wales. Throughout this year we are looking forward to opening our doors to them to support their development in line with our greater aims as an organisation to uplift and develop a wider diversity of Welsh and Wales-based choreographers.”
– Darius James, Artistic Director Ballet Cymru, and Amy Doughty, Artistic Director: Engagement and Training
“This being the fourth year of the Our Voice Bursary, I am beyond excited to be focusing on supporting choreographers to develop their work for touring. Both Shakeera Ahmun and Jadyn Bagayas have commitment to their choreographic craft, a clear vision for their work, and an impressive portfolio of work that needs to reach wider audiences. Throughout this year, I am honoured to stand beside these incredible women to champion their work.”
– Krystal S. Lowe, Founder and Executive Director of Our Voice Network