ALUMNI NEWS
Dance For All offers a unique Professional Stage Dance Course, combining numerous internationally recognised teaching and dance qualifications including Foundation, HNC and HND certificates. Each student is given extensive professional training and is supported to achieve a successful and diverse career within the industry.
Established in 1985 by Director Tracy Hawkes, Dance For All amalgamated with the prestigious Theatre School of Dance in Stockbridge in 2000, where full-time training and dance classes have been offered for nearly four decades.
Please scroll down to discover a selection of some of Dance For All’s Alumni Success from the past ten years.
Looking for professional dancers or dance teachers? Contact us by email or on 0131 226 5533 and we will pass your opportunity on to our Alumni. Our talented students often perform at various types of events - call us to disccuss.
DFA PRO Students (past and present) looking for job opportunities? Make sure we have your current email address so we can forward you audition news, casting calls, funding sources, industry events and more. Email our freelance Web Manager Jeda Lewis to join our DFA Pro Mailing List: jeda@jedapearl.co.uk
You can also read more about our Professional Course, download our Prospectus (PDF) or read some Graduate Testimonials.
Graduates 2011
Stacey Graham, graduated 2011
Stacey has passed her RAD Advanced 2 Ballet with Merit. The Dance For All community are very proud of Stacey and Course Director, Tracy Hawkes, says the award is very well deserved. This follows on the back of Stacey achieving her ISTD Advanced 2 Modern with Distinction and ISTD Advanced 2 Tap with Merit. She is in the final stages of her ISTD DDE Teaching qualification, which we are sure she will ace with flying colours! Stacey also won DFA's Outstanding Student of the Year 2011 and we expect she has a blossoming career ahead of her.
Every year Dance For All offers a selection of very talented and unique Graduates to the professional dance industry. Our Graduates are extensively prepared to have successful and varied careers - and Year of 2011 is no different! Watch this space for more news...
View our 2011 Graduate Portrait Slideshow (pop-up page)
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Graduates 2010
Jennifer Lyall, graduated 2010
Jennifer has just completed her ISTD Teacher Training. DFA wish her all the best in her future career as a dance artist and dance tutor.
View the Graduate 2010 Slideshow (pop-up page)
Lauren Cunningham, graduated 2010
At a highly competitive audition in London, Lauren (left) won a contract with the renowned Costa Cruise Company. She will be joining fellow DFA graduate Louise Ferrier, who is now Dance Captain after many years working with Costa Cruises.
Lisa Aytoun, graduated 2010
Lisa (right) was featured in the MOBO awards ceremony during her final year at DFA. She has been dancing around the UK at various festivals and events for singer Scarlette Fever and her gymnastics team was selected to represent Scotland at the 2010 European championships in Sweden. In March 2011 Lisa won a six month contract with Octopus Entertainment in Mumbai, India which includes performing in films, music videos, theatre shows and modelling in photo shoots.
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Emma Smith, graduated 2010
Emma has secured a position in the Robbie Williams Tribute Show on a Balearic Islands Cruise with Main Feature Productions and is one of only three singer/dancers in the production and her tour will last from May to September 2011 |
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2009
Left-Right
Gemma Lawson and Rebecca Stenhouse, graduated 2009
Following graduation Gemma and Rebecca toured China in Best of Musicals.
Klair Smith, graduated 2009
Klair began working at Disneyland Paris immediately after graduating.
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Hazel Grant, graduated 2009
Since Hazel came back from her first dance contract in Crete, she has been teaching Jazz and Commercial dancing in London. Hazel has just joined Pineapple Dance Studios’ cheerleading team and will soon be embarking on her first cruise contract. |
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2008
David Bathe, graduated 2008
Since graduating David has enjoyed three international world tour cruise ship contracts.
Tutor Charlotte with daughter Lily and graduates from 2008 at DFA's Reunion then L-R: Lisa Roberts, Kylie Stevenson, Charlotte Nicol and Susan Baggott.
Lisa Roberts, graduated 2008
Following graduation Lisa worked with Thomson Holidays in Spain, she has now returned to the UK and says “I loved my time at DFA and the best part would be my life-long friends that I made.” Read more student testimonials.
Kylie Stevenson - see below
Charlotte Nicol, graduated 2008
Following teaching at a local Edinburgh dance school, she now teaches RAD Ballet and Jazz Dance to children here at Dance For All and in Livingston at a local dance school run by her friend and fellow DFA graduate Leanne Mallace.
Susan Baggot, Foundation 2008
Following completion of the Foundation Year at DFA, Susan went on to Reid Kerr College in Paisley. She will be applying to complete her degree at an institution which focuses on Contemporary Dance as she plans to specialise in that genre.
Kylie Stevenson, graduated 2008
Since leaving DFA, Kylie has been on the European tour of a show called Best of Musicals and has won a performing contract on the Carnival Cruise Line ship sailing around the USA and Mexico.
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Jennifer Ward, graduated 2008
Jennifer has been teaching for various Scottish stage academies dance schools. She has also been working with Govan Youth Info Project, providing community outreach dance workshops. She has just been offered a place at John Moores University in Liverpool to study an honours degree in dance education. |
Lyn Stewart, graduated 2008
Lyn is a dance captain & choreographer in local dance group and a dance tutor for North Lanarkshire Council teaching in schools & sports centres to children, teens and adults including over 50’s. |
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Kim Lenora Anderson, Foundation 2008
Kim Lenora is currently at Stella Mann College Of Performing Arts In Bedford. “Dance For All really helped me work on and improve my dancing. Prior to DFA I had no dance experience, I spent a year at DFA and it definitely made a difference and I am so glad I went, as it gave me a good grounding for coming to Stella Mann College.” Scince being at DFA Kim has been singing at many events such as the "Emmerdale Ball" and "The Energy Ball" both held at the AECC. More Testimonials |
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2007
Louise Ferrier, graduated 2007
Louise is currently production manager and dance captain on Costa Romantica cruising in the Indian ocean. She was previously working on the same ship cruising South America and the Mediterranean. Louise is not quite planning to come home yet, though when she does, she is looking forward to embarking on her teaching career.
Amie Taheri, graduated 2007
Amie's career has included cheerleading and working for Costa Cruises and Classic International Cruises. She is now enjoying life in Dubai.
Jodie Reynolds, Foundation 2007
After training at DFA Jodie lived in London working in the HipHop crew TKSpin Masters of Movement. She has performed in a number of music videos including working with George Sampson and n-dubz. She has also worked a summer season in Greece. She has just come back to Edinburgh to finish her teaching exams at DFA while performing vocals for a few DJ’s and music producers.
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2006
Maria Boyle, graduated 2006
The Copacabana theatre show was Maria Boyle’s first acting principle role. Maria's career has included music videos, Boogie Nights the Musical and she featured as part of the Beyonce world tour marketing campaign in the UK.
Gillian Elizabeth Lawrence, Foundation 2006
Gillian danced for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and taught Highland, Ballet, Tap and Jazz dance until she started her family.
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2005
David Sneddon, graduated 2005
David went straight into employment for the Curve Foundation then onto the Magic Flute Opera. He has toured Taiwan in the Las Vegas Fantasy 2 and worked at Europe's largest casino, Estoril in Portugal. He came back to the UK working in pantomime and as a dancer, singer, actor & choreographer for Bourne Leisure and has toured the UK with Viva Productions and the Kylie Mania tour.
Claire Ritchie, graduated 2005
Since graduating Claire has worked professionally as a Show Choreographer for New Horizon; a Cabaret Singer; a Children's Character Performer including many children's favourites performing in shows such as Bob The Builder (Trained by Rainbow) for TED Group in England, Spain and Greece; a Puppeteer, trained by Avenue Q and been a Production Show Vocalist for 5 star hotels in Greece and Spain. Claire has also been filmed for dancer rehearsal DVDs, a Production Dancer, a Dance Leader, Children's Presenter and has acted in cartoon-style character shows for family audiences. Claire is now working in London teaching Zumba, as a children’s party character and writing her own music.
L-R: Heather McKendry, Claire Roberston, Claire Bungay, Jenna Freel and Kerry Millar, 2005 Graduates
Following five years with one of Edinburgh’s five star hotels, Kerry teamed up with DFA graduates Claire B, Claire R and Jenna to work on the Taste of Scotland Show, they had also previously worked together in Pantomime. Kerry is now working with fellow DFA graduate Heather, running a local dance school teaching children RAD Ballet, ISTD Tap & Modern and Hip Hop. They also worked together to help deliver the Active Schools programme. Additionally Heather has been teaching in various dance schools across Edinburgh and Glasgow and delivering workshops at primary schools. Claire B has toured Italy with the band Saor Patrol, taught in Hutherford and worked in Warner Hotels. Claire R runs her own dance school and is a freelance teacher. Jenna has performed in shows in London and the Fringe and worked with numerous companies including Rhythm Ink.
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Helen Allan, Foundation & HNC 2005
After DFA Helen performed in productions for UK holiday camps. Her career has taken her to Cyprus, Greece, Spain and Gibraltar.
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2004
Karen Sproull, graduated 2004
Karen’s professional career so far includes: Lead Vocalist with Oriana Theatre Company aboard the Oriana P&O Cruise Ship, Freemasons Centenary at the Royal Albert Hall in London; Aladdin at The Kings Theatre in Edinburgh and a lead role on the Annie UK Tour.
Victoria Knowles, Foundation 2004
Following her Foundation year with Dance For All, Victoria continued her training on a musical theatre course in London. She has toured the UK with an educational theatre company where she often played lead roles. Victoria then toured the UK with the Spirit of Dance production which then returned to the company’s stationary theatre in the USA and Victoria continued with this company performing in various productions including Broadway the Star Spangled Celebration and the Spirit of Christmas. Victoria then spent a season with the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City then she returned to Branson to continue the following season. She has just returned to the UK performing in the Spirit of Dance again and she has a season lined up at a Niagara Falls casino.
Amy Watson, graduated 2004
Since graduating Amy has worked on cruise ships, with Sonia Messer, Linda Dickson & Nicky Pyrah and is now teaching Ballet, Tap, Modern & Jazz.
Mary Healy, graduated 2004
Following graduation Mary worked in a London holiday park, in Panto and went onto work with Costa Cruises, travelling the Mediterranean.
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2002-2004 Graduates, L-R:
Jenni Inglis
Rachel Barbod
Gemma Galbraith |
Rachel Barbod, graduated 2004
Rachel has been teaching Ballet, Modern & Tap in Edinburgh since she graduated in 2004.
Jenni Inglis, graduated 2004
Jenni is the Assistant Artistic Director at the Edinburgh Dance Academy and she teaches at the Specialist Dance Programme at Broughton High School.
Gemma Galbraith, Foundation & HNC 2003
Gemma now runs Glasgow dance school: Lillian McNeil School of Dance
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2003
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Susan Winton, graduated 2003
Susan has taught on various on various professional dance and musical theatre courses in Glasgow training students in both schools and colleges and has been Head of Dance for the Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre Arts. At present Susan is a dance lecturer for Motherwell College and teaches on their Musical Theatre Course as well as being the ballet tutor for the Merce at Motherwell Contemporary Course. Within this Susan delivers the Higher Dance program. Susan also runs her own dance school 'Performers Dance Academy' which provides tuition for children in classical ballet, tap, modern and jazz and is based in Glasgow. |
Julie McInally, graduated 2003
Julie has been teaching throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians since she graduated and now runs her own school in Penicuik. During this time she has also performed in and choreographed many productions, most recently including: Connect Festival 2008, Children 1st Moulin Rouge Ball 2008, North Lanarkshire Burns Federation Homecoming Concert 2009 and Festival Scavengers 2008. Julie has worked with numerous organisations, including Midlothian Active Schools, Edinburgh University, North Edinburgh Arts and Dance For All. |
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Lindsey McGlade, graduated 2003
Lindsey teaches RAD Ballet and Modern to children & teenagers in Scotland.
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2002
Leigh Douglas, graduated 2002
Following graduation, Leigh Douglas immediately won a contract with Disneyland Resort Paris. She has worked as a professional cheerleader and toured with Riverdance. Leigh then returned to Disneyland Paris - she is thoroughly enjoying living in France.
Laura Geddes, Foundation & HNC 2002
Laura is currently teaching at two Glasgow colleges and runs her own dance school. After graduation, Laura danced with the Claymore Cheerleaders: the Scottish Rockettes. She launched and coached the Rangers Dance Squad and has choreographed and performed in many shows throughout Scotland.
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Read some of our Graduate Testimonials...
DFA Graduates - please get in touch, we would love to hear from you!
Call the office on 0131 226 5533 or email: jennylewis@danceforall.freeserve.co.uk
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Senior Dance For All Pupils
Congratulations to senior DFA pupils who will be pursuing their dreams of a professional dance career!
2009
Left to right: Stacey Graham has gained direct entry into second year on our Professional Stage Dance course here at Dance For All, Claire Robertson will be studying a degree in modern ballet, run by Scottish Ballet at the RSA MD in Glasgow and Beverley Grant is taking up a coveted place at the prestigious Rambert Dance School in London.
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At DANCE FOR ALL Theatre School we provide the only full-time dance course in Scotland that offers an HND in dance alongside a complete professional dance and dance teacher training.
DANCE FOR ALL Professional Course graduates go on to work in:
- Musicals
- Cruise ships
- Pantomime
- Summer seasons
- Theme parks e.g. Disneyworld Paris
- Small scale and project-based dance companies
- Music videos
- TV and film
- Choreography
- Dance schools, teaching across the UK and internationally
- Establishing their own dance schools
Entry on the course is purely by audition. Auditions for places on the full-time course are held in the Spring for entry in September each year. Find out more here or give us a call on 0131 226 5533 for a brochure and application form.
Dance For All is a hub of expertise that you can dip into at any age and level, from the complete beginner to the experienced professional. Browse our timetables or just give us a call on 0131 226 5533.
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Pro Course 
