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Kerry Bolland
Principal of Dansarena Studios Ltd
RAD RTS, Diploma in Dance (London Studio Centre)
Kerry trained at the Janice Marshall School of Dance and at the age of 9 successfully auditioned for Scottish Ballet’s Junior Associate Scheme. She then became a founder member of the Dance School of Scotland. At the age of 16 she furthered her dance training at London Studio Centre. She continued her classical training with amazing teachers such as Anya Evans (New York City Ballet) Anita Young, Robert Mead and Ronald Emblem (Royal Ballet) where she gained her Diploma in Dance. Kerry has danced professionally including dancing in Shakespears Sisters pop video “You’re History”.
On her return to Scotland she taught dance classes in all genres. She also helped coach some of the British Figure Skaters when they were based at The Centrum Arena, Prestwick. Kerry gained her RAD teaching certificate and has helped hundreds of pupils gain excellent results in their RAD Ballet Examinations. She is also an active member of the Scottish Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) of the Royal Academy of Dance, supporting RAD events and attending regular meetings. Kerry loves to share her wealth of knowledge and her love of dance with all her pupils and hopefully this enables the next generation of dancers to share her passion of dance.
Kerry joined Dansarena in 1995 and after several years of successfully managing the school on behalf of Karen Mitchell she became the Principal of Dansarena Studios Ltd in December 2016.
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Susan Haldane
Susan has over 12 year of teaching experience, ISTD Diploma in Dance Education for Tap and Modern and also a diploma in professional stage dance.
We are thrilled Susan is coming to join our teaching staff and she can't wait to teach all our fabulous pupils.
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Kirsty Mackay
We are delighted to welcome Kirsty Mackay to our teaching staff, Kirsty started her dance training at The Dance School of Scotland at Knightswood gaining her RAD Advanced 1 in Ballet, ISTD Advanced 2 Modern and Advanced 1 Tap. She continued her training at Laine Theatre Arts.
After graduating from Laine Kirsty went on to perform in cabaret shows in the UK, appear in music videos, short films and teach freelance. She also performed in the West End and UK tour of The Snowman playing the Ice Princess and Music box Ballerina.
Through her training with Lesley Wood she has gained her DDE Modern and Tap.
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Katie McMillan
Katie’s love for dance started at the young age of 4, where she began training at Dansarena Studios.
In 2014, Katie left Ayr to pursue her Dance training and successfully graduated with an HND in Dance Artists. Katie gained a lot of valuable experience whilst at college working closely with company's such as; Rambert Dance Company, Richard Alston Dance Company and Scottish Ballet. She also had the privilege to be trained in Contemporary by Matthew Hawkins. As well as Contemporary, she has trained in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical Jazz, Musical Theatre and Singing.
In 2015, Katie and her fellow students entered in the ‘Rambert Elements Challenge’ where they successfully won their heat, and were given the opportunity to go down to London and perform their choreography at the Peacock Theatre.
In 2017, she jetted off to the sunny island of Cyprus where she performed for 3 years as a Singer/Dancer. As well as this, for many years Katie performed as a Principle Dancer in our very own Ayr Gaiety Theatre Christmas Pantomimes.
To be back where it all began, teaching our children and allowing their love for dance to grow, is one of the best feelings for Katie. She is very excited for her future at Dansarena.
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Lesley Wood
Lesley Wood is a Fellow and Examiner of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and as such she is one of the most experienced and respected teachers in the country and particularly enjoys teaching the Diploma in Dance Education to student teachers. Lesley is on the staff of Dance for All in Edinburgh and is Principal of the Dance Factory in Glasgow.
She is a renowned choreographer, working with the BBC, Scottish Television and Scottish Opera. In addition she has choreographed numerous productions, including: Footloose, We Will Rock You, Rent, Our House, Witches of Eastwick, Songs for a New World, Jekyll and Hyde and Children of Eden. Most recently she choreographed Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness.
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Anna Matiunina
Anna has a 5 year master’s degree in Dance, Choreography and Arts. She has also enjoyed performing for 9 years with Aida Cruises, Germany where she was the ensemble supervisor.
She also has a vast amount of experience in teaching, performing and choreographing which she is looking forward to sharing
with our fabulous pupils.
We are very lucky to be adding another very experienced teacher/dancer to our team.
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Ainsley Cole
Ainsley joined Dansarena as a pupil in the year 2000 and joined the teaching faculty soon after in 2003. Her love, passion and creativity in dance always shines through especially with the junior pupils. After leaving Dansarena, Ainsley choreographed many shows for local schools before returning to teaching ballet, tap and jazz after the birth of her daughter Isla. Ainsley is absolutely thrilled to be back where it all began for her! Working with a fabulous bunch of teachers and pupils.
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Karen Mitchell
Consultant
Karen is an examiner of the Royal academy of Dance and has examined nationally and internationally for over 30 years. She is also a Standardisation examiner for the RAD.
A former Director of Dansarena Karen maintains her connection with the Studios as a Business / Dance Consultant and mentor.
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Tara Jackson
Fitness Instructor YMCA - Exercise to Music certificate
Tara teaches the Golden Girls flexibility class for the 60 + on Monday afternoons. |
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Abbie Watson
Join Abbie for our adult classes, you will have a fun and lively workout each week in Keep fit and Tap. Whether you're here for a good workout or just a social time with friends, you will have a great time with Abbie with some great toe tapping tunes.
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Fern McKay
We are delighted to welcome Fern McKay to our fantastic team of teachers.
Since graduating dance college Fern went on to perform at hotels in Zante, Corfu and Malta. Last summer Fern performed at the Alton Towers resorts in the Mardi Gras event and is now in rehearsals for the ‘Ultimate pop party’ theatre tour with Tribute act’s entertainment. Fern has been teaching for the last 5 years and is looking forward to meeting you all. We are lucky to be adding another experienced teacher and performer to the team. |
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