My name is Fiona Richardson, and I am the Artistic Director of the globally recognised ‘The Big Dance Company’. 

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Surviving domestic abuse at a young age ignited a profound sense of gratitude and empathy within me, sparking an unyielding mission: to empower young people to discover their voice and reach their fullest potential. Through the transformative art of dance, I aim to cultivate unwavering self-belief, personal resilience, and essential life skills—guiding dancers to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary beauty within themselves and the world around them.

 

What began as a passionate dream started with just a handful of incredible students from St Hilary School—whose own children now light up our studios today—when I founded the Fiona Richardson School of Dance. Powered by a tight-knit, devoted community of dance families, we began taking our first bold steps into competitions and spearheading local fundraising events.

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Our defining moment arrived in 2008 when our dance troupe, ‘Flava,’ captivated the nation and stormed into the live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent. Led by my son Kyle Richardson, this extraordinary success catapulted our studio into a thriving full-time enterprise, unlocking a global platform to change lives, serve our community, and deliver impactful educational outreach across borders.

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Today, The Big Dance Company stands as a proud, family-run movement co-founded with my husband Ben, committed to making BIG dreams accessible to individuals of every age, ability, and background. Our dancers have brought their passion to life across twelve countries, bringing home National, European, and World Championship titles to Cornwall. Over the years, we have been deeply honoured to receive prestigious accolades, including the Pride of Penwith, Business of the Year awards, a Woman of the Year finalist nomination, the Unlocking Human Potential award, and an Honorary Philip Lawrence Award presented by Sir Trevor McDonald for our anti-bullying initiatives. Among our proudest milestones, we were privileged to attend an intimate lunch with HM Queen Elizabeth II—just one of many unforgettable honors that have placed Cornwall firmly on the map for international arts and dance excellence. Next year in 2027 we will be launching our own full time government funded dance course for 16-18 years olds.

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