Bio

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 Death Dancer was born not long after I experienced carbon monoxide and gas poisoning, along with B6 toxicity, in 2021. I thought I was dying several times, which led me to reflect deeply on my own mortality and the inevitability of death. Two years into my recovery, I decided to start working on a documentary idea and began interviewing Death Professionals to help me process my own death anxiety. So far, I have interviewed 

45 people—half are international or national, and half are from the local Olympia and Lacey area in Washington State, where I live. Inspired by this reflective process, I then went on to create conceptual mixed media art pieces related to Death & Dying, Loss, and Living, which led to the curation of an art exhibit for the Fall Olympia Arts Walk in October 2024. This then grew into the idea of hosting community events with others in my local community who are also working in death care and death awareness. Through this important work, I hope to open up the conversation around death and dying and help us delve deeper into something we all will inevitably face.

Originally from Sheffield in the north of the UK, I currently live in Olympia, WA, with my two beloved rescue dogs, Mun'i and Xena. 

Professionally, I have a background in archaeology, archives, oral history, media, heritage management, non-profit management, event management, and wedding design and installation. I currently work as a Grants Director for a non-profit that supports adults and 

kids with disabilities.

I spent four years as a Buddhist nun and teacher and during that time helped the dying in their final months and days. 

I have also assisted friends and family in will preparation, funeral planning, and preparing eulogies.

I believe our lives are much more than what we have done for a ‘living’—they are a complex mix of rich interests, activities, 

meaningful interactions, and challenging experiences that shape who we are.

I have grappled with chronic illness most of my life and still navigate the mountains and valleys of living with the ‘body’ daily.

 Conventionally speaking, I have been diagnosed with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome several times and realize that labels 

sometimes help us access support services or gain others' understanding. 

However, my ADE (Almost Died Experience) gave me new insights into my body, and how it works, 

and the gift of life that I am now evidently still blessed with.

I hope that by participating in our Death Dancer activities, you will find a safe welcoming space to talk about your own experiences 

with death and dying, and that you will be inspired to live your life to the fullest. 

Meaning of Organization Name and Logo

The name 'Death Dancer' was inspired after my own experience and 'dance' with death in 2021. Trained as an archaeologist, 

I also wanted to use a name that had some historical meaning and representation. 

Definition ~:

“The Danse Macabre, also called the Dance of Death, is an artistic genre of allegory from the Late Middle Ages on the universality of death. 

The Danse Macabre consists of the dead, summoning representatives from all walks of life to dance along to the grave, typically with a pope, emperor, king, child, and laborer. The effect is both frivolous and terrifying, beseeching its audience to react emotionally. It was produced as a memento mori to remind people of the fragility of their lives and how vain are the glories of earthly life.” 

The Death Dancer logo was created from a photograph of an actual metal paperclip from the late 1800s, rescued from the trash bin when 

I worked at the Rothschild Bank Archive in London in 2007. I felt it showed a good representation of the balance of life and death that 

we are all dancing with every minute of the day and night.