meet the team

Joshua Royal

Founder & Director

Born in Sri Lanka then adopted and brought up in Oxfordshire, UK, Joshua has a background in professional dance with training from the Royal Ballet School, Central School of Ballet and The Rock School for Dance Education in the USA. 

He was a semi-finalist in 'Young British Dancer of the Year' in 2006 and has performed with the Royal Ballet, Kirov Opera, Murley Dance, Vienna Festival Ballet, English National Ballet, Hack Ballet and Neo Ballet. He has also appeared at Edinburgh Fringe and in London's West End. 

Josh completed the Professional Dancers Teaching Diploma with the Royal Academy of Dance in 2021 and  taught ballet at the Portobello Dance School, Impact Dance, London Boys Ballet school, Base Dance Studios, Victoria Lagan Dance and Drama, Frances Lundy School of Dance and Primrose School of Dance. 

In 2020 he launched the Naked Truth Gala and in 2021 became an ambassador for the #FindYourFour HIV campaign. In 2022 he became an ambassador for the #TogetherVoices HIV campaign and in 2023 he was featured in the book 'From the Margins' written by Professor David Olusoga OBE. 

"In 2015 I was diagnosed with HIV and was already living with bipolar disorder. I am now an HIV advocate and voice for mental health - if I can inspire others to know that they are not alone and it's ok not to be ok - I can die happy"

David Murley

Artistic Director

David is a professional dancer and qualified ballet teacher. He is a Royal Academy of Dance and London Studio Centre graduate. David also has a degree in French language from Southern Methodist University via University College London. Since qualifying as a ballet teacher, David has taught at Urdang Academy, London School of Musical Theatre, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, British Ballet Organisation, London Boys Ballet School, Shiamak Davar International London, Aakash Odedra, City Academy, Bishopsgate Institute, Pineapple Dance Studios and Danceworks and delivered workshops for University of Chichester. David also teaches private lessons and runs his own classes. 

Prior to teaching, David performed and danced on the main stage at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (and on tour in Japan), English National Opera, Glyndebourne Festival and Touring opera, Welsh National Opera, The Dallas Opera, Grange Park Opera, The Orfeo Experience (London, Oxford and Malta), Showfabrik (Germany), Madonna, Sahara Pranam (India), Ballet Theatre UK, Wizard Theatre, Combination Dance, Hack Ballet, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, BBC, ITV and Channel 4. 

Awareness and education are key, regardless of your status. The more you know, the better, and more helpful for yourself and others in your life or those yet to come into your life.

Michael Long

Creative & Art Director

I'm not the kind of designer who stops exploring design when I shut my laptop. I love surrounding myself with quality design and I bring this everyday influence into my work.

As a designer I get to work on so many different projects, however many are admittedly very commercial. To be able to work on a project that is so community focussed is extremely fulfilling, incredibly important and also so much fun!

Despite how far we have come, we still have so much stigma to overcome so I'm very proud to be able to help in any little way I can.

Jim Donnell

Corporate Engagement

Coming soon

Rod Olukoya

Photographer

I met Josh many years ago by chance on the South Bank where he was throwing some amazing dance moves. I had my camera with me and asked if I could take a few shots. Josh was so friendly and accommodating and provided some amazing poses and moves. From that day on, we have done many beautiful shoots together. Having done a few other charity shoots with Josh, it was a no-brainer for me to accept this exciting opportunity.

Being a photography of many genres over 10 years, and knowing Josh and his sense of fun in covering serious subject with sensitivity and creativity, it has allowed me to capture the stories and struggles of those affected by HIV/AIDS, raising awareness and empathy through imagery. I believe that through my lens, we can help educate and advocate for positive change in the fight against AIDS.

Poppy Royal

Web Design