She was intending to be a painter but at the suggestion of her father she studied Central European Modern Dance at the Laban School in Berlin which was run by Hertha Feist.
In 1935, influenced by Laban's inclusive concept of "Dance for All", she established the first movement Choir in the country in Plymouth under the auspices of the Workers' Educational Association.
Rudolf Laban also left for Britain, and, for twenty years (1938–58), Ullmann was his long-term partner and the main collaborator in his dance work.
It was a phenomenological approach to learning: on praxis – the interweaving of theory and practice, on the challenge of creative action to develop confidence and problem-solving abilities, and the belief that dance is a powerful medium which enhances the lives of children.
The Fund has a unique policy to award travel scholarships to individual dance and movement practitioners wishing to pursue Continuing Professional Development Courses at destinations across the world.