The Staff of Dansarena Studios Ltd.
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Karen Mitchell (Mrs D. Gage)
A.R.A.D.
Grade Examiner Royal Academy of Dance
Principal and Director of Dansarena
Karen has been a Grade examiner of The Royal Academy of Dance and has examined nationally and internationally for over 30 years.
She has taught in her own Dansarena Studios since their inception and, through
her R.A.D. Examining connections, has given classes to teachers and children
all over the world. Over the years Karen has trained many of her most talented
students in preparation for their teaching certificates.
She now does administrative work at the Studios as well as Examination coaching.
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Kerry Bolland R.A.D., R.T.S.
DEPUTY MANAGER DANSARENA STUDIOS
Vocational Ballet Classes
Kerry gained a place at age 9 in
Scottish Ballet's Junior Associate Training Scheme.
She then became a founder member of The Dance School
of Scotland. After graduating at age 16, Kerry took
the three year Vocational Course at The London Studio
Centre gaining her Diploma in Dance.
Kerry then danced professionally and took part in Shakespear Sister's pop video
'You're History'.
Upon her return to Scotland, Kerry did freelance teaching in Classical ballet
and jazz, joining Dansarena in 1995. She also coached and choreographed members
of The British Figure Skating Team.
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Anne-Marie
McMillan
Y.M.C.A. Exercise to Music Certificate
Anne-Marie was one of Dansarena's
founder members when it first opened it's doors in
1984.
Having danced professionally before she was married, Anne-Marie is now Administration Manager at Dansarena.
Her younger daughter Hope, is one of Dansarena's keenest pupils.
Two of Anne Marie's three children are also keen dancers.
Her elder daughter April has now graduated from Body Works in Cambridge and has a contract to dance at Centre Parks. Anne Marie's son Jack has gained a funded place to study Drama. |
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Dawn Edgar Ulivi
L.R.A.D, A.R.A.D., A.I.S.T.D.
Grade and Vocational Classes
Dawn started
dancing at the age of three at Karen Mitchell's Prestwick
Dance School and moved to Dansarena Studios when
it opened in August 1984.
At 17 years old, she successfully auditioned for the three year teacher training
diploma course at The Royal Academy of Dance College in London. In her third
year there, she won the 'Generosity of Spirit' prize in recognition of her
passion and love of dance teaching.
Dawn is the School Manager at Dumfries and Kilmarnock Schools.
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Sharon Hollywood
Sharon Hollywood, Head of Vocational
Jazz at Dansarena, trained at the Theatre School
of Dance and Drama, Edinburgh.
After leaving college Sharon's career varied from pantos, summer seasons, pop
concerts, cabaret, MTV work and dance companies.
In 1995 Sharon was hand picked for the hugely successful Andrew Lloyd Webber's
London production of Starlight Express. During this time she played the roles
of "Wrench" and "Buffy" and in 1999 found herself in the
German production playing "Ashley".
Sharon returned to Scotland in 2000 to do panto in Glasgow where she met her
future husband.
Now based in Scotland she juggles her professional career with motherhood.
She is delighted to be associated with Dansarena and is looking forward to
sharing her experience and wealth of knowledge in theatre arts.
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Nicola Charlesworth A.I.S.T.D., R.A.D. R.T.S
Ballet, Tap and Modern Classes
Having completed her graded examinations in R.A.D. Ballet, ISTD Tap and Modern Stage, Nicola did her teaching training on a full time basis at Dansarena.
She graduated in 2002 in R.A.D. Ballet and I.S.T.D. Tap and Modern Stage in 2003.
Nicola is now School Branch Manager and R.A.D. Ballet Teacher at The Troon and Prestwick Schools. She teaches Showtime Tap at The Dumfries School and she also teaches I.S.T.D. Tap and Modern at Dansarena as well as running the Dance Classes at Wellington School in Ayr.
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Katie Wiseman
Y.M.C.A. Exercise to Music Certificate
MANAGER PRE-SCHOOL DANCE AT DANSARENA
Katie's bubbly personality is popular with children and adults alike. She teaches at the Troon, Kilmarnock and Dumfries branches of the school. She also has a very busy Saturday morning at Dansarena teaching all the little ones and is looking forward to teaching the Saturday afternoon Jazz Classes.
Katie has also introduced the new "Melody Movement" Pre School classes at Dansarena and the Branch Schools.
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Heather Rennie A.I.S.T.D.
Ballet, Tap and Modern Classes
Heather did her early training in Aberdeen before joining Dansarena as a teenager. She did her teacher training at Dansarena and gained her final qualification in June 2004.
Heather uses her considerable choreographic skills to the full in her Showtime Tap Classses and prepares candidates for the I.S.T.D. Grade and Major Modern and Tap exams.
She enters children annually for various categories in the Festival For Stars competition.
Heather has three children, Lauren and Cailtin are very enthusiastic dance students at Dansarena when they are not helping Mum and Dad to look after baby Ashleigh.
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Kristen Mason T.T.P. Dip
( NBS ), A.I.S.T.D.
R.A.D. Grade Ballet Classes
Kristen hails from Canada where she
has just completed her R.A.D. Dance Teaching Diploma
at the National Ballet School of Canada.
Prior to this Kristen was Ballet teacher at the Performing Arts Centre in Oshawa
where she had previously graduated with the "Outstanding Student of the
Year Award". Kristen has also worked extensively with the Children's
Dance Theatre in Toronto.
She teaches Pre School to Grade 8 Ballet Classes at Dansarena's main Studios
in Fort St. Ayr.
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Jacquii
Gavigan
Expressive Arts Director
Jacquii is the Artistic Director of
F.I.B. Expressive Arts which is a youth theatre group
operating throughout Central Scotland. Jacquii has
worked with various theatrical companies, schools and
colleges as drama teacher, choreographer and script
writer. She has directed shows which have played in
a variety of venues including the SECC.
As well as directing large scale outdoor performances and Christmas pantomimes,
Jacquii has worked in America teaching Theatrical Studies to adults and children.
We welcome her onto the faculty at Dansarena Studios. |
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Gillian Otterson
Pilates Style Exercise Teacher
Gillian holds a B.Ed degree in Sport and gives a wonderful PILATES STYLE class at Dansarena on a Tuesday evening. Gillian also gives classes in remedial fitness as well as teaching ice skating.
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Tara Jackson
Fitness Instructor
YMCA Exercise to Music Certificate
Tara teaches the FULL BODY WORKOUT on Monday evenings and Tuesday mornings at Dansarena. On Thursday mornings she teaches the Slim & Trim Class.
She also takes the "Golden Girls" flexibility class for the 60+ on Monday and Thurday mornings.
Tara has taken over the Thursday evening exercise class at Dansarena with a Full Body Workout Class.
Tara's little girl Ciara is an "enthusiastic budding ballerina" at Dansarena.
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Pauline Baker
Pauline studied at Dansarena from the age of 3 to 17 years gaining all her R.A.D. Grade examinations with Honours or Distinction.
She has now joined the teaching staff and is Manager of the new branch of the school in Girvan as well as working alongside Katie Wiseman at the Kilmarnock School of Dance.
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Dansarena Reception Staff
(from left to right)
Katie Wiseman, Brenda Riddoch,
Louisa Stewart, Deborah Gage
Coffee Shop Manager - Brenda Riddoch
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9 Fort Street, Ayr, Scotland KA7 1HU
(next to Ayr Academy)
Tel: 01292 287967
www.dansarena.com
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