Dance School Teachers

 

Emma O’Brien A.I.S.T.D.

Emma trained at the Whitakers Dance and Drama School in Blackpool.  Following this, she studied at the Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre, Liverpool

Heidi Bonner L.R.A.D.  BA (Hons) A.I.S.T.D.

Heidi Trained at Tring Arts Educational School as a Junior/Senior Associate.  At 18 Heidi went to the Royal Academy of Dance where she attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in the Art and Teaching of Classical Ballet from Durham University. At the same time she also attained a Licentiate from the Royal Academy of Dance.

Simone Ashley, A.I.S.T.D.

Simone trained at the Sarah Coates School of Dance, Llandrindod Wells.  She then went on to study at the Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre, Liverpool.

Sally Saunders, A.I.S.T.D., A B R S M

Sally trained at the Mavis Berry & Helen Allen School of Dance in Leyland, Lancashire.  She then continued her studies at Preston Dance Centre where she achieved distinction in Associate Ballet, Tap, Modern and National Dance.  Sally also studied Music attaining Grade 8 in piano and singing.

 

The Dance School follows the graded system of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) for Ballet and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) for Modern & Tap.  The ‘Grades’ of both organisations are designed for children who attend one, two or more lessons per week and who enjoy dance as a hobby, working to the best of their ability.  There is a strong emphasis on the development of musical and expressive dance qualities.

 

All classes are divided by age/and or ability.  They take the form of weekly classes of 30 minutes, 45 minutes or one hour.  For younger pupils the emphasis is on enjoyment, as techniques are gradually introduced, and a ladder of progress followed through the system of Grades.  This ensures that pupils are not physically overstrained and  techniques and vocabulary are introduced in a measured way.