Meet The Team

Loris Lee

    • Enhanced DBS Checked

    • Level 2 Gym Instructor Qualification

    • Level 3 Personal Trainer Qualification

    • Safeguarding and Child Protection Training

    Loris is a six-time Junior 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 engaging 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 and is a published academic writer, with her undergraduate dissertation on inequality in English education in China selected for publication in the journal ‘Asian Englishes’, reflecting her passion for Chinese culture and cross-cultural understanding. She also works in support roles across schools in Greater Manchester, where she is committed to supporting young people and contributing positively to the local community.

    She has contributed to the delivery and organisation of community-focused events, including Chinese New Year celebrations at Heaton Park and Kargo MKT, as well as leading and delivering workshops across schools and universities. Her work centres on making Chinese cultural arts accessible, engaging, and relevant to diverse audiences.

    She founded the company with a clear vision: to create an inclusive and sustainable team that prioritises the wellbeing of its performers and participants, while building meaningful connections through culture, health, and education.

Storm Tai

    • First Aid Trained

    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. She first started learning calligraphy from her father at a young age and eventually became an assistant teacher in Hong Kong, specialising in portrait painting. She has since hosted workshops at The University of Manchester, Heaton Park, and Kargo MKT 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.

Robert Wheatley

    • Enhanced DBS Checked

    Robert is a professional performing artist who regularly appears on stage performing classical and contemporary music, alongside Chinese martial arts and Lion Dance. With over 10 years of Lion Dance experience, he is a versatile and dynamic Lion Dancer with extensive performance expertise.

    In addition to performing, Robert plays an active coaching role within the club, delivering both Lion Dance and Wushu training. He supports students in developing strong foundations and performance confidence drawing from his international experience in both martial arts and the performing arts.

    In 2014, Robert moved to Germany to study music at Folkwang University of the Arts. During his time there, he joined the Shaolin Kung Fu Zentrum Düsseldorf, where he assisted in establishing a Lion Dance team, leading to numerous successful performances across the north-west region of Germany.

Favad Siddiqui

    • Basic DBS checked

    • Black Belt in Hung Gar

    Favad is an experienced martial artist with over a decade of training in Hung Gar, Wushu, Taekwondo, and MMA. As a national-level medallist, he has competed in tournaments across the UK.

    As a Coach, Favad plays a key role in developing beginner level students. He teaches the fundamentals of Lion Dance, building strong foundations in coordination and teamwork. He also leads Hung Gar sessions within the club, focusing on traditional forms and practical application, while supporting students in refining their technique and discipline.

    Favad regularly contributes to demonstrations and performances nationwide. He recently achieved his black belt in Hung Gar, reflecting his dedication to continuous improvement and maintaining high standards in both training and performance.

Natan Szymanski

  • Natan is the youngest member of our performance team at just 17. He regularly trains alongside members of the GB Wushu Team, including 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, progressing rapidly and earning a medal in China at the 2018 Shaolin Wushu Festival. Specialising in Sword and Spear, Natan is recognised for his agility, precision, and explosive athleticism.

    Alongside his training and competitive ambitions, Natan also serves as a Junior Wushu Coach within the club, supporting students in developing strong foundations their practice.

    He is currently training towards representing Britain at the next European Wushu Championships, with long-term ambitions to compete at the World Wushu Championships and the World Games. Despite his young age, he brings exceptional skill, dedication, and spirit to the team, and we are proud to call him one of our own.

Kate McAulay

  • 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.

René Bektashi-Brown

  • René is an accomplished athlete with a passion for figure skating, Wushu, and Lion Dance. As a professional skater, he won the British Junior Figure Skating Championships in 2021. His journey in Wushu began at a young age, and he is currently the British Champion of Traditional Long Weapons (2025).

    Alongside his competitive career, René has become an active Lion Dance performer, taking part in Chinese New Year shows across the UK. Off the performance floor, he is also a Chemistry student at the University of Oxford, balancing academic excellence with elite-level training and performance.

Anreé Bektashi-Brown

    • Enhanced DBS Checked

    Anreé is a dedicated martial artist with experience in Wushu and Lion Dance. 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. Recognised for his impressive intellect, he managed to secure an internship and became a published academic writer after just one year at Oxford. His sharp mind and artistic versatility make him a valued performer and an inspiring presence both on and off stage.

Robin Mitchell

    • Enhanced DBS Checked

    • First Aid Trained

    Robin 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 comes from a lifelong dedication to martial arts, studying Karate and Wushu at a young age.

    Alongside martial arts, Robin was a talented competitive swimmer in his youth, going on to work throughout his teens as a lifeguard and swimming teacher. In his 20s, he became a leisure centre manager, developing strong leadership and community engagement skills before transitioning into his current role as a firefighter.

    In addition to his lion dance practice, Robin continues to broaden his training through fencing and Kendo. He is currently based in Japan for two years, undertaking intensive Kendo training to further deepen his understanding of this martial art.

Jordan Bateman

  • Jordon is the music specialist for our team, bringing over 20 years of experience as a classically trained cellist and multi-instrumentalist, having studied at the Folkwang Universität der Künste and Royal Northern College of Music.

    As a passionate educator, he has taught underprivileged children through The Olympias Music Foundation and even served as a personal music tutor to members of Brunei’s royal family. As a performer, Jordon has worked with ITV, BBC, and Netflix and is a two-time East Coast Young Musician of the Year.

    Beyond music, he has trained in boxing at Khalifa Mixed Martial Arts in Brunei and competed in a tournament hosted by Prince Abdul Mateen, bringing discipline and energy to everything he does.

Charl Smith

  • Charl comes from a strong background in rock climbing, with years of experience both indoors and outdoors. She has competed in events such as the Battle of Britain climbing competition at The Depot, and her love for physical challenge underpins her approach to training and performance.

    In 2023, Charl travelled across the United States, exploring new environments and activities that broadened her perspective on sport, health, and community. During this time, she worked as a camp leader at a fitness camp, supporting active, wellbeing-focused programmes.

    Charl met Loris through climbing and was introduced to Lion Dance through that connection, initially joining with curiosity to learn more about the tradition and sport. She has been a dedicated member of the team ever since and debuted her first Lion Dance performance at the 2026 Heaton Park Lunar New Year celebrations.

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