Teachers at DC Dance

DC Dance prides itself on building a fantastic team of teachers and helpers that are able to offer quality training for all! DC dance teachers are constantly training in order to maintain the high standards at the school.

Dawn Chapman - Principal

FDA Dance Teaching, F IDTA, A UKA, RAD (MRT), SDI Professional Member

Dawn is the principal of the dance school and enjoys teaching a wide range of subjects. As well as gaining many dance teaching qualifications with the IDTA and UKA, Dawn is also a qualified adjudicator and after completing her foundation degree in Dance Teaching at Bucks university with Distinction is now working towards the full degree qualification. Dawn is also an active IDTA North West Theatre committee member and enjoys helping organise Theatre events in her area.

Janet Adams

BA Hons Fine Art, PGCE, Post Grad Diploma in Movement Therapy

Janet has re-joined the DC Dance teaching team after spending three further years in Spain studying Flamenco and its culture. Janet's study of Dance Movement Therapy at the Laban Centre, London, has led her to promote self-confidence and expression through Flamenco dance

David Barker

BA (Hons) Leeds College of Music

David is the schools vocal tutor and helps train students for both general singing and festival Song and Dance numbers. He is involved in teaching many local choirs and groups and is also involved with local theatrical societies. David has received a NODA nomination for his work within the Theatre.

Jessica Earnshaw

A IDTA, Associate Member of SDI, Dance Leadership Level 1, Community Sports Leader Level 2

Jessica helps to run the freestyle department at the school and is an award winning Freestyle teacher after being chosen by the IDTA as the winner of the WJ (Bill) Tasker Award 2010 for her student teacher examination taken in the same year. Alongside the organisation of the Freestyle section, Jessica also teaches within the Theatre, Ballroom and Pre-School departments

Katrina Heath

BA (Hons) PGCE Primary

Katrina teaches within the pre-school department at DC Dance. She teaches the Little Bear Feet syllabus and also runs many of the Musical Theatre and Drama Workshops at the school. Alongside working at the dance school, Katrina also runs her own successful theatrical business Story Magic Theatre

Sarah Lawson

L IDTA, A BATD

Sarah was trained by Phil Winston and graduated from Theatreworks gaining her Associate Diplomas; she has since become a Licentiate member of the I.D.T.A. Sarah worked in panto and cabaret shows for Duggie Chapman Productions and Rita Proctor with Pantoni Productions. Sarah also performed in Disneyland California with Annie McQuittys Young Americans Dance Company based in Los Angeles. More recently she has been involved in teaching children of the West End Production, Billy Elliott. Sarah has developed a love for choreography and many of her arrangements for festivals, shows and championships are attaining great success, including the All England finals and young tap dancer of the year. Sarah is thrilled to be starting new classes and working along side Dawn Chapman in the New Year.

Josie Lewis

A IDTA, A UKA

Josie works in the Freestyle department at DC Dance and teaches the senior freestyle evening and Boyz only street dance. Josie has a vast competitive knowledge after having danced at Championship level herself and now helps to coach many of our competitive freestyle students at DC Dance.

Alex Scott

BA Hons Dance, A NATD, A IDTA

Alex teachers some of our senior pupils at the school in both Freestyle and Theatre sections. Alongside her work at the dance school she is also a dance development officer in many local primary schools and is a Dance Leadership and Arts Award Tutor. She also enjoys to both perform and choreograph for local theatrical societies and is a NODA Award nominee.

Isabelle Walker

Certified Nia & Zumba Instructor

Isabelle has always been passionate about fitness and health: she qualified as a PE teacher at the beginning of her career and has explored over the last 15 years various movement forms such as Yoga, dance and martial arts. She is committed to her students physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Read more here

Non Teaching DC Dance Staff

Barry Chapman

Barry provides general assistance and maintenance throughout the school. He holds a chaperone licence and is able to supervise both inside and outside of the school.

Nigel Foran

Nigel is the technical director at DC Dance and runs the reception, examination, and dancewear centres at the school. He designed and maintains our website and looks after everything IT at the business. He also enjoys the artistic side of the business and helps to direct and organise the sound and production at the annual dance show. Nigel is a qualified chaperone and holds Level 1 certificate in Child Protection.

DC Dance Classroom Assistants

Fleur Armitage

Fleur has studied at DC Dance since she was seven and now assists teachers at the school within the theatre and ballroom sections. Fleur has performed with the English Youth Ballet on numerous occasions and has successfully gained a place on the Northern Contemporary CAT training program. Fleur also holds the PMA Teaching Assistant qualification

Hazel Chapman

Hazel is a qualified school teacher and has been dancing socially for many years. She has gained her IDTA Student Teaching qualification and is now working towards her full teaching certificate. Hazel provides assistance in adult social classes and also pre-school and junior sections of the school. She is also responsible in assisting Dawn create the school’s pre-school lesson plans.

Maddy Green

Maddy has studied at DC Dance for many years and has gained many theatre dance examinations with Honours marks. She assists teachers at the school within the theatre and pre-school sections. Maddy is also a highly experienced gymnast who has previously competed in European events. Maddy is working towards her PMA teaching qualification