Bethan Freedman

Bethan is celebrated for her dance facilitation, stylish interpretation and colourful outfits which characterise her events. Her profound interest in ancient history, embodied spirituality and Goddess culture enriches her group facilitation and dance teaching.

Her choreography is widely known and appreciated. The dance, ‘Tread Gently on The Earth’, sung by Carolyn Hillyer, reflects Bethan’s deep feeling for the environment. It was chosen for the World Circle Dance Day global link up in July 2019.

Stefan reports, “Many dancers have told me that Bethan’s dance to Sting’s ‘Fields of Gold’ is their all-time favourite Circle Dance. Her choreography to Carolyn Hillyer’s song Sacred Marriage is among the most exquisite fusions of music and movement. The dance is called ‘Seasons Green and Gold’ and the song is rich with archetypal imagery and meaning.”

Bethan trained in theatre, contemporary and historic dance at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, gaining an AGSM and an LRAM from the Royal Academy of Music. She qualified as a ​​teacher and taught children and adults for many years. ​ Bethan
themed workshops for women, based on dance, music and ritual – celebrating the stages of womanhood.
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​Bethan has led Circle Dance in partnership with Stefan in Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, France, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, UK and USA

​Many of the dance events Bethan has co-hosted and taught with Stefan have been week-long residentials, bringing together participants from diverse countries. The ‘weaving’ and caring aspects and the harmonising of diverse needs in the circle has been a particular focus for her, as has teaching dance in a variety of 
trained as a counsellor, subsequently working in schools. Voluntary roles have included running healing and meditation groups, and working with international students.

Alongside her work in education, Bethan organised dance events in partnership with Stefan.

Bethan’s singing voice can range from a strong, earthy Bulgarian timbre to a high ethereal sound. Her singing and frame drumming have been an essential ingredient in the band, Dark Flame, which plays periodically for Circle Dance events.

Bethan delights in embodying the music and style of each dance. She experiences dance as a portal to the many nuances of vitality, joy and connection. This transmits whenever Bethan is teaching or demonstrating a dance.

In partnership with Stephanie Rose, Bethan created a sequence of 
​languages.
​Bethan loves spending her free time with her family in Hertfordshire and South Essex. She and Stefan have lived for over 30 years in Suffolk, England, though a great deal of their life has involved touring on their dancing journeys. Their great delight this summer has been the arrival of kittens, Topaz and Serafin, their new furry family.

Find teaching videos of Bethan’s best known choreographies here:
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