About us

Meet the Organisers

  • Close-up portrait of a mature woman with red hair, glasses, and a slight smile, wearing a white top and a gold necklace.

    Ros Johnson

    Literary Retreats, Community & Creative Travel

    Ros is co-founder of Naxos Creative and one of the warm, guiding presences behind its retreats. She helps shape and host the literary retreats, bringing together her love of books, conversation, community and travel with a deep knowledge of Naxos and its slower, more generous rhythms.

    Much of Ros’s role is in the thoughtful detail: making sure guests feel welcomed, settled and cared for; helping the days flow easily; sharing favourite places on the island; and creating the relaxed, friendly atmosphere that makes the retreats feel both inspiring and restorative.

    Ros is also a qualified life coach and counsellor, and trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama as a teacher and voice coach. Her background in voice, breathwork and communication gently informs the way she works with people — helping create spaces where guests feel comfortable, confident and able to connect.

    She is Artistic Director of Wells Theatre Festival, which she founded in 2018, and has spent many years bringing people together through theatre, community projects and creative events.

    At Naxos Creative, Ros combines practical organisation with genuine warmth, local knowledge and a love of literature. She is often the person making sure everything is in place behind the scenes — so guests can relax, read, talk, explore, swim, eat well and enjoy the transformative pleasure of time away.

  • A smiling middle-aged man with gray hair and a beard, wearing a blue and white striped shirt, sitting at a table in front of a rocky background.

    Neil Johnson

    Business, Retreat Planning & Guest Experience

    Neil is co-founder of Naxos Creative and plays a central role in the smooth running of the retreats. He looks after much of the business, finance and planning behind the scenes, helping to make sure each retreat is carefully organised, welcoming and well supported from start to finish.

    With a background that spans the arts, education and business, Neil brings a calm, practical and thoughtful approach to the Naxos Creative team. He spent many years working in theatre, television and education, before going on to lead the Performing Arts Department at one of Britain’s leading specialist music schools.

    Neil has also worked extensively in presentation skills, communication and business development training in the UK, Asia and Greece. His experience includes working with senior executives, teachers, students, creatives and professionals from many different fields, helping them communicate with clarity, confidence and ease.

    Before co-founding Naxos Creative, Neil trained at the Guildford School of Acting and worked as an actor in theatre and television. He later became a full-time project manager for the BBC and Tate Gallery, working on educational and creative projects for young people across the UK. He also produced and directed the IET Faraday Science Lectures, supporting everything from project planning to presenter training.

    At Naxos Creative, Neil brings together his experience in business, education, communication and hospitality. He is often the person making sure the practical details are in place — so guests can relax into the retreat, enjoy the books, conversations, food, landscape and company, and feel properly looked after throughout their time away.

    Article by Ros and Neil

  • A woman with light-colored shoulder-length hair, smiling, wearing a white sleeveless top with a maroon sweater tied over her shoulders, standing indoors near a stone wall and a vintage balance scale with hanging weights.

    Nola d'Enis

     Literary Retreats Organiser

    Nola d'Enis is a writer, former journalist, and the kind of reader who finishes a book at 2am and picks up another at breakfast. Originally from Zimbabwe, via London, she now lives and writes in south-west France — which means vineyards on the doorstep and plenty of inspiration for both.

    Her journalism has appeared in The Independent, The South China Morning Post, and Sud Ouest. Right now, she's editing her debut novel: a retelling of the Loudun Possessions that's been known to keep her up at night. (She blames the research. Mostly.)

    When she's not reading or writing, Nola teaches at Bordeaux University, manages a French jazz-blues band, and walks her dachshund through the local vineyards. She's also launching Another Chapter, Another Glass — an Instagram series pairing great books with great wines for readers who like their fiction with a finish.

    Beyond the page, you'll find her in a kitchen, on a plane in search of a far-flung Caravaggio, or helping friends craft a surprisingly effective Tinder profile.

    Nola loves working with Naxos Creative, where she helps writers and readers come together with great authors, agents, and editors — to talk books, spark ideas, and find their creative tribe in beautiful, inspiring places.

Meet the Team

  • Portrait of a smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing a black blazer and blue top, standing against a plain light background.

    Jill Edmonds

    Music

    Jill has worked in Music Education for over 30 years, where she was Head of Music in a specialist music school.  She has conducted choirs which have appeared on radio and tv, but her greatest love is enabling children and adults to face their fears, follow their hidden dreams and be the best version of themselves. Jill’s musicianship is augmented by her amazing inspirational teaching style and ability to get the very best out of everyone she works with.

    In addition to her teaching qualifications Jill is also a trained Counsellor.

  • A woman with short light brown hair and wearing a light pink sweater sitting against plain white background.

    Chantelle Rousseau

    Photography

    Ever found yourself dreaming about just packing up and setting roots in a completely different life well that is basically what I did. 

    I grew up in Australia studied medicine at the University of Newcastle and went on to work as an Emergency doctor in rural Australia and for the Care Flight rescue helicopter. After several months travelling I ended up on Naxos and basically didn’t leave. My first night here I met a man whom I would marry a few years later and have two beautiful children and slowly my hobby became my job. 10 years ago I completed a Diploma in Photography with the Photography Institute and have never looked back. From flying doctor to freelance photographer.

  • A smiling woman with dark hair, wearing gold earrings and a dolphin necklace, standing near a stone wall.

    Katerina Mahera

    Yoga & Dance

    Katerina is a certified & registered Yoga Teacher of Yoga Alliance and has completed 200 Teacher Training at OM Shanti Yoga & Pilates Academy; Katerina has also completed 60 hrs Yoga for Kids.She has been teaching at OM Shanti Yoga & Pilates Academy and various Dance schools both in Athens and Naxos.

    Katerina has conducted successful yoga sessions with Coco-Mat Hotel in Athens as well as offering Yoga lessons for the Women in the Greek Maritime Shipping Industry and she is a mother of 4 children. Katerina is an active member of the Greek Maritime community as well as teaching Yoga daily for all levels.

    Katerina has been practicing ballet for many years at KSOT (National School of Art of Athens) with studies at Laban Center Movement & Dance in the UK along with her Msc in Shipping.During her years in ballet she has danced with American Ballet Theater at Odeon Herodus of Atticus

    Looking forward to seeing you on the mat or the beach and working for Naxos Creative courses.

  • A smiling man with short brown hair, wearing black glasses, a blue shirt, and a dark blazer, standing in front of green leafy bushes.

    Ian Potter

    Leadership & Management

    Ian is the Chief Executive of the Gosport and Fareham Multi-Academy Trust. The GFM was the first local Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) in Hampshire, United Kingdom.  Prior to its formation in 2017, he was the Headteacher of Bay House School during which time all five Ofsted inspections judged the leadership to be outstanding.

    Ian’s research interests include System Leadership. He co-coordinates the International School Leadership Development Network, researching Social Justice Leadership in schools internationally. He is Chair of the BELMAS Council, the Society’s Coordinator for International Affairs and their representative on the CCEAM Board.

    Ian is also a member of the BERA Conference Committee and ASCL Local Representative for Hampshire. He is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, a Senior Associate of the AoEA and a Thomas International Personality Profile Analysis Practitioner.

  • A woman with curly dark hair smiling, hands pressed together in a prayer-like gesture, wearing multiple bracelets, rings, and earrings, dressed in a floral shirt.

    Vasilliki Georgiadou

    Yoga - Pilates

    I am Vasiliki, a Northern Greek girl who fell in love with Naxos, while here on holiday many years ago. Initially trained as a certified podiatrist, I observed that our feet were the key to our balance and movement. Yet, as my training evolved, my curiosity to explore additional methods that bring health and wellness guided me to complete my training as a Yoga (Ayush Ministry of India) and Pilates (pre-natal & post-natal) instructor, Face Gua Sha practitioner and Wellness coach (National & Kapodistrian University of Athens). I refined the most effective methods and movements from each practice to create my wellness sessions.

  • A smiling man with short dark hair and a stubble beard, wearing a dark button-up shirt, standing against a textured beige stone wall.

    Chris Grimes

    Comedy

    Artistic Director Chris Grimes will be running our Comedy Workshops. Chris is a highly experienced Facilitator, Workshop Leader, Coach and a Motivational Comedian. He is also a Broadcaster and host of “The Good Listening To Podcast: The Story Behind Your Story Show!” As well as for Naxos Creative in Greece, Chris runs courses in the UK and France.

    https://thegoodlisteningtopodcast.buzzsprout.com

  • An older woman with blonde hair smiling outdoors in a forest, holding an acoustic guitar.

    Paul Denegri

    Songwriting

    Over a 35 year career span Paul Denegri (HonARAM, FTCL, LTCL) has earned his reputation as an inspirational and creative teacher, conductor, composer, arranger, performer and adjudicator. At Trinity College he was awarded the I’ll Sono di Ottone Prize for Performance twice in successive years and the Student Union Chamber Prize. He has performed and recorded with the London Festival Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra to name but two. Paul was appointed Head of Brass, Percussion and Jazz and Commercial Music at Wells Cathedral school in 1986 and then went on to become Head of Music Performance at the School. In recognition of his services to music education and achievement within the music profession Paul was awarded an Honorary Associate to The Royal Academy of Music London. Paul is a published songwriter, composer and arranger and has written four full length musicals two of which received four star reviews on The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He also has his own music and literature publishing company Pandon Ltd which also promotes songwriters and composers.

    You can listen to his inspirational podcast here

  • A woman with dark hair tied up, wearing a red turtleneck sweater and large circular earrings, holds her hands together near her chin and appears excited or joyful.

    Antigone Gyra

    Physical & Dance Theatre

    Antigone Gyra studied dance theatre at Laban Centre in London. She is the founder and artistic director of Kinitiras Network for Performing Arts (www.kinitiras.com). With Kinitiras she founded  and directed the first residency  centre for performing arts in Greece, from 2008 until 2019 , Kinitiras Studio.

    Her works with Kinitiras have been commissioned many times from the Ministry of culture and other public and private organisations and have been performed in Greece and abroad. She is also designing and running community based , dance in education and elderly people programs. As a freelance choreographer  she is working at the theatre with many directors in National and free theatre and she is teaching movement and choreography in professional drama and dance schools.

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling, wearing a black jacket with a zipper and red earrings, standing in front of a colorful wall with illustrations and text.

    Anna Tsichli

    Physical & Collaborative Theatre

    Anna Tsichli Boissonnas studied at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and University of Bern.

    She devised and directed performances, video art, events and happenings. Her works have been presented in Greece, Switzerland and other countries. She has collaborated as a dramaturg with several movement and performance-based groups.

    She participated in festivals, congresses, committees, European research programs and workshops in Greece, Cyprus, UK, Denmark and Switzerland.

    She has been teaching Devised Theatre and Theatre Directing for 17 years at the Department of Theatre Studies, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Peloponnese. at drama schools, detoxification centers, arts centers and schools in Greece, Cyprus, Denmark, Switzerland and UK.

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    Violetta Gyra

    Acting, Greek Theatre

    Violetta has trained as an actor & director and has many years experience working in Greece, USA and in the UK. She is an inspirational teacher and is passionate about Greek Theatre and culture.

  • An older woman with short, light-colored hair wearing a colorful, patterned vest and a beaded necklace, standing indoors with books and plants in the background.

    Dr Sue Jennings

    Neuro-Dramatic Play

    Dr Sue Jennings has worked all over the world as a Drama Therapist, mentor and coach. In Greece she established the first Dramatherapy Training  programme in Athens.  She is a published author of numerous books across a wide range of related subjects. Her seminal book ‘Healthy Attachments and Neuro-Dramatic-Play’ has been translated into Greek.  She has worked in many countries establishing training courses in Dramatherapy, Play Therapy and Neuro-Dramatic-Play.  Currently she is Senior Research Fellow at the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon (University of Birmingham). www.ndpltd.org.

Arrive curious. Leave inspired.