top of page

As a choreographer, I am extremely passionate about communicating new thoughts and ideas through movement. I believe that dance is an extremely effective way to communicate subjects and issues that may otherwise be difficult to communicate through words. I aim to create and perform work that represents and includes everyone. I hope to continue to challenge perceptions and stereotypes of dance through the work that I create and perform. I am looking forward to continuing to develop my choreographic practice. 

Choreographic Work. 

  • Do You Love Me  - is a solo piece created and performed by Joe Powell-Main. This piece was first performed as the winning entry for the solo freestyle category in the 2017 UK National Para Dance Championship. The piece is inspired by the film Dirty Dancing, the movement combines elements of jive, swing, and lindy hop. 

​

  • Focus  - is freestyle duet created and performed by Holly and Joe Powell-Main. The piece was first performed in 2017 as the winning entry for the Combi Freestyle Category at the 2017 UK National Para Dance Championships. This piece was made in response to some of challenges both performers faced during their dance journey. The piece pushes against these challenges and focuses on embracing them as part of your strength. 

  • La Secretaire - is a Latin duet created and performed by Hannah Bertram and Joe Powell-Main. The duet was first performed at the UK's first inclusive Latin and Ballroom showcase produced by Stepchange Studios and performed at the Lillian Baylis Studio at Sadlers Wells in May 2018. Inspired by the scenario from the French film of the same name, the duet combines elements of Cha cha cha, Samba and Salsa, infused with a comedic edge. 

  • La La Land Waltz is a solo created and performed by Joe Powell-Main. The piece was first performed at the UK's first inclusive Latin and Ballroom showcase produced by Stepchange Studios and performed at the Lillian Baylis Studio at Sadlers Wells in May 2018. Inspired by theme of dreaming from the film of La La Land, the solo combines the dance genres of waltz, classical ballet and ballroom tango. The message is to never give up on dreams no matter what challenges are ahead. 

  • Giselle Act 2 Pas De Deux - During the 2018 Welsh International Ballet Summer School, Joe collaborated with Krystal Lowe (company dancer at Ballet Cymru) to develop a reimagined version of Pas de deux from Act 2 of the ballet. Joe, worked with Krystal under the direction of the Artistic Directors of the company to re-choreograph an accessible version of this duet that was based on the original choreography from the Sir Peter Wright production of Giselle. Joe performed the pas de deux alongside Krystal at the culmination performance of the summer school. 

  • Black and Gold  - created and performed by Joe Powell-Main. Joe performed this piece at two wheelchair competitions in 2018. The Manchester Grand Prix in July and the UK National Para Dance Championship in Harrow, Joe won gold medals at both competitions performing this original solo. Black and Gold uses elements of Latin Style and Street commercial as the two main movement styles. This piece communicates Joe's love for movement, with two contrasting dynamic qualities the softer more controlled movement (Black) and the louder more expansive movement (Gold). At the end of 2018 Joe also performed this piece as part of the Believe and Achieve Trust Carol Service at St. Albions Church in Ashton-Under-Lyne. 

  • RuPaul Freestyle -  is a duet created and performed by Holly and Joe Powell-Main. The piece was first created and performed as an entry to Combi Freestyle Category for the UK National Para Dance Championships at Harrow in 2018. This piece gave Holly and Joe the title of  2018 UK National Para Dance Champions in the Combi Freestyle Category. RuPaul Freestyle combines elements of Cha, Cha, Cha, Salsa, Tango and Commercial/Voguing. The message of the piece is one of sass and attitude and not being afraid to stand out from the crowd. 

  • The Nutcracker Grande Pas De Deux - is a solo piece created and performed by Joe Powell-Main. The piece was first performed at the Timestep Community Dance annual performance in November 2018, with a further performance of this piece taking place also in 2018 at the Believe and Achieve Trust Carol Service in Ashton-Under-Lyne. The piece is an interpretation of the Pas De Deux from the classical Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker, reimagined as a solo piece. 

  • Michael Jackson Medley - is a solo work created and performed by Joe Powell-Main. The piece was first performed in 2018 at the Timestep Community Dance annual show. The movement uses influences from commercial, jazz funk and also inspiration from Michael Jackson's iconic dance routines. 

  • Swan Lake Waltz - is a solo work created and performed by Joe Powell-Main. The piece was first performed as the winning entry for the Solo Freestyle Category at the 2019 UK National Para Dance Championship in Bristol. The movement uses a unique blend of classical technique infused with inspiration from the style of Viennese Waltz. 

  • Insomnia  - is a duet created and performed by Holly and Joe Powell-Main. The piece was first performed in 2019 as the winning entry for the UK National Para Dance Championship in Bristol. The piece uses traditional Spanish styling in the form of Paso Doble set to club anthem music.

  • I Love to Boogie - is a solo work created and performed by Joe Powell-Main. The piece was first performed at 2019 Summer Timestep Community Dance show. The work uses the styles of  Jive, Lindy hop and jazz to convey the love for movement. The piece is heavily inspired by the infamous dance scene from the film Billy Elliott, set to a T-rex classic. 

  • Don Quixote Spanish Solo -  is a solo work created and performed by Joe Powell-Main. This piece was first performed as part of the Timestep Community Dance 2019 annual summer show. The piece is inspired by the classical ballet Don Quixote and uses a unique blend of classical movement infused with a Spanish twist. 

  • Bluebird Pas De Deux from  The Sleeping Beauty - During the Welsh International Ballet Summer School in 2019, Joe collaborated with Beau Dillen (company dancer at Ballet Cymru) to develop a reimagined and translated version of the Bluebird Pas De Deus from Petipa's masterpiece, The Sleeping Beauty. Joe and Beau collaborated and worked under the direction of Artistic Directors of the company to re-choreograph a more accessible version of the pas de deus based upon the original Petipa choreography. This was performed at the summer school culmination in July 2019. 

  • Divided We Stand -  During the 2019 Welsh International Ballet Summer School, Joe collaborated with freelance dancer Ann Wall. They were taught repertoire from Divided We Stand which then Joe and Ann worked together to re-choreograph to develop an accessible version of this piece that still took inspiration from the original choreography. This version of the choreography was performed at the culmination performance of the 2019 summer school. 

  • Y Ddraig  is a short film commission for HARP, Conversations for Future Selves and Arts Council Wales. The piece features Joe Powell-Main, with a special appearance from Holly Powell-Main. The film was created during the lockdown of 2020, with the concept, choreographer and director roles taken on by Joe Powell-Main. The piece combines two important elements of Joe's personality, his heritage as a Welsh artist and his lived experience as a disabled artist and person. The movement combines classical technique with inspiration taken from the Spanish lines of Paso Doble. A section of this commission was featured on BBC Wales News in 2020. 

  • O'r Lludw -  is a short film commission for National Dance Company's Plethu/Weave programme. The piece was created and performed by Joe Powell-Main in collaboration with Welsh poet Aneirin Karadog. O'r Lludw uses a blend of classical and contemporary movement to convey the message of the #weshallnotberemoved campaign. This movement focuses on continued inclusion of artists with different accessible needs in the arts scene and the value these artists have as performers and creatives. 

  • Untitled - is a solo commission for the Ballet Cymru Digital Stage. The piece was directed and choreographed by Joe Powell-Main and through classical and contemporary movement is a physical representation, of Joe's experience of lockdown and the pandemic. 

  • ​Giselle, Ballet Cymru - As part of the creative process of the 2021 production of Giselle with Ballet Cymru there was choreographic input from the dancers to create movement for each of the characters in the story. Joe created and developed choreography and movement motifs in collaboration with the other company dancers and Artistic Directors of the company for this production. 

  • La Samba  - is group piece created for the Ballet Course three students, who participated in the 2021 Wales Summer Dance Courses. The piece showcases the students love and joy for movement through the Latin styles of Salsa, Samba, with the classical line also running through the piece. The piece featured a wide range of dancers of different ages ranging from around aged 10 - 18. 

  • Poems and Tiger Eggs Ballet Cymru (2021)  - Joe worked in collaboration with the other company dancers at Ballet Cymru and Artistic Directors of the company to create choreography and movement for this production. 

  • Nobody Knows Me Like You Do - is a piece featuring Joe Powell-Main and four dancers from the The Royal Ballet; Sophie Allnatt, Liam Boswell, Isabel Lubach and Francisco Serrano, alongside international recording star Birdy.  The piece was co-created by Principal Character Artist of The Royal Ballet, Kristen McNally and Joe Powell-Main. The piece tells the story of Joe's dance journey from the humble beginnings, through to his dream of performing with members of the Royal Ballet company. The piece uses a combination of spoken word, lyrical, contemporary and classical movement to convey a message of hope and never giving up on dreams. 

IMG_9462.PNG

  • Undone - is a trio created by Joe Powell-Main for himself and two other dancers, Elizabeth Griffiths and Scott Kidd. The piece was first commissioned for the One Young World 2022 Manchester Summit at the Bridgewater Hall. Through a blend of lyrical contemporary movement and classical ballet, the piece tells the story of strength in diversity, acknowledging that there a similarities between one another and also there are differences. The work is a celebration of diversity and power in challenges.  The piece is set to an arrangement by the Untold Orchestra of Undone by Olafur Arnalds. 

  • Kai's Ice Solo - is a solo piece created and performed by Joe Powell-Main as part of the Propel Dance production of The Snow Queen directed by Helen Mason. The solo is part of the grand finale of the production where the character of Kai (portrayed by Powell-Main) has been completely entranced and put under the spell of the antagonist of the story the Snow Queen. The solo combines Joe's two disciplines of performing movement in his wheelchair and crutches in a unique and exciting way. The choreography uses the styles of contemporary and classical ballet to tell the story of this pivotal scene from the Snow Queen. 

  • Tango Solo - is a solo work created and performed by Joe Powell-Main as part of the I am 8 production for Sweetshop Revolution directed by Sally Marie. Set to an original tango score by Frank Moon, the piece showcases Joe's dance journey as he returned to dance as a disabled person. The piece combines the styles of Tango, contemporary and the classical ballet line. 

  • Sutlan and Tiger Pas De Deux   - is a duet that was created and performed as part of Aladdin and The Lamp for Birmingham Ballet Company's Recital 2023. Joe performed the role of the Sultan and worked closely with directors Kate and Penelope Frost to create this section of choreography in a joint collaborative approach. 

  • National Youth Ballet All In -   Joe worked on this inclusive project with NYB and Parable Dance to create a new adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. For this project Joe created choreography inspired by the Dance of the Knights piece from Romeo and Juliet. Joe taught this choreography for a workshop with the dancers through zoom. This choreography was staged by NYB choreographers Ross Black, Hannah George and NYB creative director Jo Meredith. This piece was shared as part of the All In Romeo and Juliet adaptation performed on the 1st September 2023 at Dance East in Brighton. 

Passionately Defiant - Is a brand new solo work that Joe  performed at Empower In Motion at Sadlers Wells on the 7th February 2024 and also at The British Ballet Organisation's 2024 edition of dance days. The piece uses stylistic qualities from the classical ballet, latin American and Ballroom dance genres. The narrative is inspired by Joe's own journey back into the dance industry after acquiring his disability and the challenges he has faced. Joe was excited to share his new creation with the audience. The piece received fantastic reviews. 

  • Lady of Llyn Y Fan Fach - is a work in progress piece created and performed by Joe and also featuring freelance Welsh ballerina Ella Appleby. The idea is a reimagined version of the traditional welsh tale Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach . Using this tale as an inspiration for the narrative the message is one of understanding each others challenges and differences. Through love, kindness and support we can accept each other to be able to find a place that is safe comfortable and somewhere that we can call home. Joe and Ella performed two extracts from this work in progress at The Royal Opera House Live at Lunch event on the 23rd February 2024 as part of The Royal Ballet's Festival of New Choreography.  Joe's aim was to gather  feedback and generate interest in this idea, with a view to developing and sharing this idea further. The the eventual aim is to develop this idea into a fuller piece with the potential to add further dancers.  Joe hopes that this idea will be a performance that is accessible to all ages and different needs. Hopefully this is just the beginning!

  • Strength in Adversity - is a commission by Joe Powell-Main featuring him and six dancers from National Youth Ballet. The piece is supported by The Royal Opera House and will be performed as part of All About Us on the 22nd June 2024 a bill that forms part of The Next Generation Festival presented by The Royal Opera House. Strength in Adversity ​recognises that challenges are part of everyone’s unique journey and should be embraced. This new work created by Joe Powell-Main sees him join forces with talented dancers from NYB. Inspired by overcoming challenges this piece recognises individual qualities of each performer. With the assistance of a helping hand, a confidante, reflections of the past and opposing forces, the piece culminates in a positive celebration of acceptance. As part of the piece Undone, created by Joe in 2022 will be reworked and incorporated into this 11 minute commission.  For more information and to book tickets for the performance click here. 

The Armed Man - is a piece of choreography that is based in the Neo-classical style of ballet and incorporates elements of other dance genres as well. The idea aims to challenge the idea of gender roles both in ballet and the wider society. The idea is something that Joe has been exploring for a few years and in October 2024 he had the most wonderful opportunity to conduct a research and development week in the studio with five dancers from Scottish Ballet. It was a fantastic week working with the dancers and it has spurred on Joe's enthusiasm and passion to hopefully continuing to develop this idea further. A huge thanks to Scottish Ballet and its CEO and Artistic Director Christopher Hampson CBE. 

IMG_9956.png

Never Enough - is a solo commission set to Never Enough from the music The Greatest Showman. The piece is a message of hope and joy in being different. The piece was first performed at The 30th Birthday event for the National Lottery. 

Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach (Phase 2) -  Joe was delighted to revisit this work and develop it further for the Arrive at Home Platform presented by Ransack Dance. This opportunity included support and mentorship from Ransack as well as a performance opportunity on the 28th March 2025 at YMA in Pontypridd. Joe was delighted to reunite with Welsh Freelance Ballerina Ella Appleby who performed the title role in this work. Joe developed this work further as well as performing the role of Gwyn. Through this development opportunity Joe was able to lengthen the piece to fourteen minutes and plant seeds for his eventual goal to have this piece have a duration of  between 35 - 45 minutes with the intent of further dancers included. Joe looks forward to hopefully having the opportunity of making these goals a reality in the near future. 

Classical repertoire Pas De Deux - is a new work in progress duet that is a reimagined version of a well known classical pas deux which is choreographed by Joe Powell-Main...more to come on that soon! The piece features Joe Powell-Main alongside Welsh Freelance Ballerina Ella Appleby. The pas de deux will be first be shared at The Royal Ballet and Opera for two events, The Live at Lunch on 25th April at 1pm and Family Sunday: All About Ballet Event which will also include a workshop alongside the performance of this duet. There will also be one more sharing of this work, which is still to be announced so stay tuned....

bottom of page