Who we are

You may have seen our lion go viral on TikTok with its cute and playful energy, but behind the mask is a close-knit team brought together by a shared love of martial arts, Chinese culture, and performance.

We're more than just performers, we’re great friends with diverse backgrounds. What unites us is our genuine friendship and passion for what we do.

Trained in various Kung Fu styles, Wushu, Muay Thai, and other martial arts, we bring both skill and heart to every performance. As a young, creative team, we offer a fresh and flexible take on lion dance, while honouring its deep cultural roots. Whether it's a stage, street, or screen, we love sharing the joy of lion dance with every audience we meet!

Why do we exist?

Performers are the heart of the performance – we keep the heart strong.

On this team we believe:

Tradition without borders. Respect without compromise.

We know our art is only as strong as the people behind it. That’s why we nurture our performers. No matter your age, race, gender, or sexuality, you are an equal here, and your well-being is always our priority.

We reject outdated hierarchies. We value and respect every single person on our team for what they bring. We exist to create a safe space for people from all walks of life to enjoy, share, and preserve the arts.

If you’re looking for a found family, you’ll find it here.

Five people in black shirts and yellow pants kneeling on the floor with two lion dance costumes at their sides in a room with gray curtains.
A traditional Chinese lion dance performer with a colorful lion costume, surrounded by spectators taking photos, under red lanterns in an indoor setting.

Meet the Team

  • Young woman in traditional blue Chinese martial arts attire, holding a sword with a red tassel, focusing intently during a martial arts practice or demonstration performing wushu, with a blurred audience in the background.

    Loris Lee

    FOUNDER / PERFORMANCE MANAGER

    Loris is a six-time British Wushu champion, personal trainer, and performer with over a decade of experience in Wushu, Muay Thai, and Lion Dance. Known for her playful lion style and crowd interaction, she has performed for major names and gone viral on TikTok, bringing traditional lion dance to modern audiences and wider communities. Alongside her work in fitness and performance, she holds a First-Class teaching degree, with a published dissertation on inequality in English education in China, reflecting her deep respect for Chinese culture and cross-cultural understanding. Her passion for martial arts, education, and performance led her to found a company rooted in accessibility, creativity, and meaningful connection.

  • A woman with long dark hair sitting at a wooden table, wearing a black jacket, with books on shelves in the background.

    Storm Tai

    MUSIC SPECIALIST / PERFORMANCE MANAGER

    Storm is a dynamic performer specialising in Dragon Dance and Sword Dancing, with over a decade of experience. She began her training in Hong Kong and has since brought her skills and led multiple dragon dance teams across the UK. Alongside her stage work, Storm also practises Chinese calligraphy and will soon be hosting workshops to share this art with wider communities. She is also in the process of creating her own dragon dance team, further expanding her contribution to the tradition she loves.

  • A young man with brown hair and a beard holding a wooden acoustic guitar over his shoulder, looking at the camera with a neutral expression against a plain light gray background.

    Robert Wheatley

    MUSIC SPECIALIST / PERFORMER

    Robert is a professional performing artist who regularly appears on stage to perform classical and contemporary music, as well as Chinese martial arts and Lion Dance. He has 10 years of Lion Dance experience and is a versatile Lion Dancer. In 2014, Robert moved to Germany to study music at Folkwang University of the Arts. There, he joined the Shaolin Kung Fu Zentrum Düsseldorf, where he assisted in establishing a Lion Dance team, resulting in numerous successful performances in the north-west region of Germany.

  • A young boy competing Chinese martial arts (wushu) with a staff. He is standing on a blue mat with the BCCMA logo on it

    Natan Szymanski

    PERFORMER

    Natan is the youngest member of our performance team at just 16. He regularly trains alongside members of the Great Britain Wushu Team, such as Sam Mak, Huicong Liu, and Steve Coleman, and is currently working towards becoming an official member himself. He began his martial arts journey at the age of 8, excelling quickly and earning a medal in China at the 2018 Shaolin Wushu Festival. Specialising in Sword and Spear, Natan is recognised for his agility and precision. He is currently training towards representing Britain in the next European Wushu Championships, with ambitions to one day compete in the World Wushu Championships and World Games. Despite his young age, he brings exceptional athleticism, skill, and spirit to the team, and we are proud to call him one of our own.

  • A person with curly hair in a shiny jacket and black pants ice skating with arms out and an expressive face at an indoor ice rink.

    René Bektashi-Brown

    PERFORMER

    René is an accomplished athlete with a passion for Figure Skating, Wushu, and Lion Dance. As a professional skater, he won the British Junior Championships in 2021. René's love for Wushu began at a young age, and he is currently the official British Champion of Traditional Long Weapons 2025. In addition to Wushu, he has also developed a keen interest in Lion Dance, and has participated in the Chinese New Year shows across the UK.

  • A woman performing aerial acrobatics

    Kate McAulay

    PERFORMER

    Kate is an action performer, fight director, and choreographer with a lifelong dedication to martial arts and acrobatics. She began Shotokan Karate as a child, earning her black belt as a teenager, before expanding into parkour in 2011, later becoming a coach. Her passion for acrobatics led her into circus arts, learning aerial, tumbling, tight wire, and juggling. A return to martial arts through Wushu and Lion Dance combined her acrobatic skills with her love for performance, inspiring her to choreograph fight scenes for live audiences. Kate is currently training in stunt and screen combat with the British Action Academy, continuing to expand her work both on stage and in film.

  • A smiling man with a beard wearing a black t-shirt and a medal around his neck, standing in a gymnasium with green walls and people in the background.

    Favad Siddiqui

    PERFORMER

    Favad is a martial arts enthusiast with over a decade of experience in disciplines including Hung Gar, Wushu, Taekwondo, and MMA. As a national-level medalist, he has competed in tournaments across a range of martial arts styles in the UK and showcased his skills in martial arts demonstrations nationwide. Now specialising in Lion Dance performances, Favad also continues to expand his expertise and is currently working towards his black belt in Hung Gar.

  • Anreé Bektashi-Brown

    PERFORMER

    Anreé is a dedicated martial artist with experience in Wushu and Lion Dance, performing at venues including the University of Huddersfield, University of Manchester, and Salford Quays. Alongside his passion for performance, he is also a skilled pianist and shares his love for music as a piano teacher. Currently studying Biology at the prestigious University of Oxford, Anreé brings a unique combination of discipline, creativity, and academic excellence to the team. His sharp mind and artistic versatility make him a valued performer and an inspiring presence both on and off stage.

  • A firefighter wearing a yellow helmet and navy turnout gear with reflective stripes, standing outdoors with other emergency personnel in the background.

    Robert Mitchell

    PERFORMER

    Robert is a distinguished firefighter based in Manchester and a seasoned lion dancer with over a decade of performance experience across the UK. His passion for lion dance stems from a lifelong dedication to martial arts, which he began studying from a young age. In addition to his lion dance work, Robert is currently expanding his practice through fencing and Aikido, and will soon be travelling to Japan for two years of intensive Kendo training.

Contact us

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