The Staff of Dansarena Studios Ltd.

Karen Mitchell (Mrs D. Gage) A.R.A.D.,R.T.S.
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 is now also a Standardisation examiner for the R.A.D.


Karen 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.

Karen has been appointed  as a Mentor for the CBTS Teacher Training Programme and has trained many of her most talented students in preparation for their teaching certificates.





Kerry Bolland R.A.D., R.T.S.
ASSISTANT 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.

Kerry is now Assistant   Manager at Dansarena.



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 is currently dancing professionally with Explosive Productions. Anne Marie's son Jack is currentley Studying for a BA in Acting and Drama at East 15 Essex University.



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.




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.

Sharon is responsible for Volcational Jazz at Dansarena.



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.

 



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 and Kilmarnock branches of the school. She also has a very busy Saturday at Dansarena teaching all the pre-school children in the morning and the Jazz classes in the afternoon.

Katie has also introduced the new "Melody Movement" Pre School classes at Dansarena and the Branch Schools.

Katie often gives "OUTREACH" Dance Demonstration Classes in local Primary Schools.


 



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.


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.

She and her husband have a little boy called Callan.




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 afternoons and Thurday mornings.


Tara's little girl Ciara is an "enthusiastic budding ballerina" at Dansarena.



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.

Pauline is finishing her CBTS Teaching  Certificate of the R.A.D



Angela Moore
Music Theatre Teacher

Angela trained in Musical Theatre at PACE Youth Theatre, Paisley.



Dansarena Reception Staff

Coffee Shop Manager
Brenda Riddoch





Receptionists
Deborah, Jennie and Katie

 

 

 


9 Fort Street, Ayr, Scotland KA7 1HU
(next to Ayr Academy)
Tel: 01292 287967
www.dansarena.com

Branch Schools:

Prestwick School of Dance
The Space Place

Troon School of Dance
The Old Parish Church Hall

Kilmarnock School of Dance
Holy Trinity Church Hall

Dumfries School of Dance
The Mount St Michael, St Joseph's College

Girvan School of Dance
South Parish Church Hall