Principal and Founder: Siobhan Collins – McCarthy
Royal Academy of Dance Registered Teacher Status
R.A.D. T.C. R.T.S. (Dist.)
Pilates Instructor, Advanced Cert, Level 3,
Register of Exercise Professionals.
Principal and Founder: Siobhan Collins-McCarthy is a Royal Academy of Dance Registered Teacher R.A.D. T.C. R.T.S. (Distinction),
a worldwide Certified Pilates Instructor (Advanced Cert, Level 3), and a Fitness Professional registered with the Register of Exercise Professionals (UK). |
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Ms. Collins-McCarthy's life has been dedicated to the world of classical ballet from the age of three.
She has studied, performed, taught and choreographed throughout Europe and the United States.
Her career as a Professional Classical Ballet Dancer began with scholarships to The Dublin City Ballet School, Ireland and subsequently to The Legat School of Russian Ballet, Tunbridge Wells, receiving a prestigious scholarship at age 10.
At the age of 13, Ms. Collins-McCarthy was invited to study under Ms. Dorothy Stevens MBE, and went on to earn her qualifications by the age of 16.
At the age of 16, she was awarded a scholarship to La Manche Academie De Danse Classique, Normandy, France, and subsequently danced with the Ballet De L'Abbaye Company where she continued her training and performed professionally, both as a Soloist and in the Corps de Ballet.
As part of her professional ballet training, Ms. Collins-McCarthy was personally invited to train under Marina Pomerantseva, former soloist, corps de ballet, and teacher with the Kirov Ballet Company.
Ms. Collins-McCarthy has performed as a Guest Artist with The Sarasota Ballet Company of Florida in the United States under Sir Robert De Warren of The Royal Ballet, and subsequently was invited by Sir Robert De Warren to teach ballet at The Sarasota Ballet School.
In 2003,Ms. Collins-McCarthy launched her own ballet school in Santander, northern Spain, having been awarded Distinction in the Teaching Disciplines by The Royal Academy of Dance.
In 2006, Ms Collins-McCarthy established her Dance Academy in Harborne Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom after earning her certification as a worldwide Pilates Instructor from the world famous Pilates International Studios, Highgate, London.
Ms. Collins-McCarthy is also engaged as a Classical Ballet Teacher and Pilates Instructor for notable ballet and fitness establishments including The Birmingham Hippodrome:
The Cat Momentum Programme and The Professional Development Class Programme; The Birmingham Botanical Gardens; and Ace Dance Company..................................................................................................
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Juliana Moraes: Repertoire |
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Juliana began classical ballet training at an early age having won scholarships to both prestigious ballet schools,
The Royal Ballet School and The English National Ballet School, London.
As a Professional Classical Ballet Dancer Juliana has Performed in many Ballets with major Classical Ballet Companies throughout the world;
Ballet Capitole de Toulouse, France, Zurich Ballet Company and
The Birmingham Royal Ballet Company.
Juliana has worked under the Directorship of David Bintley C.B.E. of The Birmingham Royal Ballet Company.
Juliana teaches our Grade 5, Grade 6, Intermediate and Advanced classical ballet students 'Repertoire' from some of the most popular classical ballets including:
The Nutcracker Ballet, Coppelia, La Fille Mal Gardee and Swan Lake to name a few.
Juliana's experience from Performing Professionally gives her the ability to work with our students in a highly knowledgeable and disciplined manner. |
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Olivia Pickford |
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Olivia Pickford AISTD RAD Dip trained with The Royal Ballet Associates and The
Arts Educational School Tring and then went onto dance in the contemporary
company Dikosmos in Australia. She is a fully qualified teacher of RAD, Cecchetti
and ISTD Modern. Olivia has taught globally in Australia, Norway, New Zealand,
Japan and Italy. In Tokyo she worked for Former Principal of The Royal Ballet Teddy
Kumakawa at K Ballet Company.
She has been guest company teacher for Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake Japan tour. She has taught for professional dance schools in the UK such as The Arts Educational
School Tring, Bird College, and Bodyworks and is Former Head of Ballet for Tiffany
Theatre College. She is a guest teacher for RAD and Cecchetti Summer Schools as well as guest lecturer for the IDTA.
In 2009 Olivia was choreographer for London Children's Ballet production of Snow White which was performed in the West End.
As well as being Midland Theatre Ballet mistress, Olivia also teaches at Elmhurst School for Dance and is currently leading workshops for Birmingham Royal Ballet and working on various BRB outreach projects. Olivia also worked as choreographer in the latest Keanu Reeves Movie 47 Ronin which will be in the cinemas shortly. We are delighted to have Miss Pickford teaching for our Academy. |
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Karen Kelly: Modern Dance |
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Karen began dancing at an early age having studied at the prestigious
Elmhurst School For Dance Ballet School, Camberley, Surrey.
Karen was fortunate to train under David Wall of The Royal Ballet.
Karen continued her training at The West Street School, Convent Garden, London.
Professional performing experience include The Nutcracker Ballet, Paco Rabanne Catwalk, British Gas Oscar Awards, The Clothes Show Live and A Chorus Line.
As a Professional Dancer, Teacher and Choreographer Karen has also Choreographed many Recitals and Performances.
Karen's passion for teaching and choreography has led her to construct dynamic and energetic Modern Dance classes, based on Matt Mattox Technique, encouraging students to grow technically and creatively. |
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Laura Vanhulle: Contemporary Dance |
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Originally from Belgium, Laura started training in rhythmic gymnastics at a very young age. She started her dance training at Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) where she achieved a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance. During her training she worked and performed pieces by Hagit Bar, Kwesi Johnson and Antonia Groove.
After graduating in 2009, Laura went on to do an apprenticeship with ACE Dance and Music and performed pieces by Andile Sotiya and Douglas Thorpe. She was also heavily involved in delivering the company’s educational work.
Laura has also spent time working in collaboration with Peter Grist whilst based in Manchester.
After completing her apprenticeship Laura studied with Douglas Thorpes and Tiia Ourila and also worked on a project in London with Shobana Jeyasingh. Laura has performed in Ace Dance and Music’s last production ICE and has delivered many educational workshops in the region. Laura has also worked closely with Motionhouse.
Laura enjoys teaching and choreographing and sharing her passion for dance with our students. Laura values her association with the staff and students at the Siobhan Collins-McCarthy Dance Academy. |
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Lei Zhao: Guest Teacher Summer School |
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Lei Zhao was born in Shanghai, and trained at the Shanghai Dance School and Northern Ballet School in Manchester. Having danced professionally with the Birmingham Royal Ballet Company from 1995 to 2011, rising to the rank of First Soloist in December 2003.
Lei became an MA in Applied Studies in Dance and received the Professional Dancers Teaching Diploma from the Royal Academy of Dance.
Miss Zhao’s repertory with Birmingham Royal Ballet included:
FrederickFrederick Ashton: Dante Sonata (lead Child of Light) and Birthday Offering.
George Balanchine: Apollo (Calliope), Concerto barocco.
David Bintley: Beauty and the Beast (Belle, Vanité),
Hobson's Choice (Salvation Army), Allegri diversi (lead role),
The Nutcracker Sweeties (Volga Vouty),
The Seasons ('Autumn'), Tombeaux (lead role),
Les Petits Riens and David Bintley and Galina Samsova's production of Giselle (Moyna, peasant pas de deux)
Kim Brandstrup:Pulcinella (Pimipinella)
John Cranko:Brouillards ('Les Fées sont d'exquises danseuses')
Milicent Hodson and Kenneth Archer's reconstruction of
The Rite of Spring (Chosen One)
Kenneth MacMillan: Elite Syncoptations ('Calliope Rag') and Song of the Earth (Fourth song)
Peter Wright's productions of Coppélia ('Dawn'),
The Nutcracker (Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara, Rose Fairy,
Snow Fairy, The Sleeping Beauty (Fairy of Honour, pas de quatre, Songbird, Enchanted Princess), and Peter Wright and Galina Samsova's production of Swan Lake (Polish Princess, pas de trois).
Lei has also been a guest lecturer for the International Dance Teachers Association and guest ballet teacher with Singapore Dance Theatre. Guest teacher with Shanghai Dance Academy and Shanghai Ballet Company. Choreographer with Midland Theatre Ballet Company and a member of the Artistic Faulty for the
Royal Academy of Dance Associate Programme.
Lei has also worked with the Genée Dance Challenge Classical Ballet Competition held at Birmingham Royal Ballet and is now a full time teacher at Elmhurst School for Dance.
Miss Zhao also had the opportunity to teach company class at Birmingham Royal Ballet and has been involved in Elmhurst School for Dance summer schools as ballet teacher and choreographer.
Lei Zhao has taught for our Dance Academy ‘2012’ summer school and is also part of our ‘2013’ summer school.
We are delighted to have Miss Lei Zhao as guest teacher for our Dance Academy summer school. |
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Jenny Murphy: Guest Teacher Summer School |
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Born in Hull, Miss Jenny Murphy trained at The Royal Ballet School, London. Having toured Japan with The Royal Ballet School. Jenny has performed a leading role in La Valse in the School performance in 2000.
Jenny joined the Birmingham Royal Ballet Company in 2001.
Miss Murphy also continues to teach The Royal Ballet Associates at
Birmingham Royal Ballet and also leads workshops for both
The Royal Academy of Dance Associates and The Royal Ballet programme in Birmingham.
Miss Murphy’s repertory with Birmingham Royal Ballet included:
Frederick Ashton: The Two Pigeons (Gypsy) and Dante Sonata
George Balanchine: Western Symphony (Second Movement) and Concerto barocco
David Bintley: Beauty and the Beast, Hobson's Choice, Carmina burana, The Seasons and 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café
Hans van Manen: Five Tangos
Kenneth MacMillan: Romeo and Juliet (Juliet's Friends)
Peter Wright's productions of Coppélia (Friends), The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty and Peter Wright and Galina Samsova's production of Swan Lake
We are delighted to have Miss Jenny Murphy join our ‘2013’ Summer School teaching faculty incorporating Body Conditioning into our Summer School programme. |
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Ana García: Guest Teacher Summer School |
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Born in Valdepeñas, La Mancha, Spain. Ana started her dance studies at an early age when she attended classes at her local dance school. Ana took examinations in Classical Ballet and Spanish Dance at Malaga's Conservatoire.
Flamenco became her career and Ana embarked on committed studies with some of the great names of Flamenco: Maria Magdalena, La Chiqui de Jerez, Adrian Galia, Rafaela Carrasco, Eva La Yerbabuena in Madrid, Seville and Jerez.
Ana has been teaching successfully in England since 1993 and has a wealth of experience teaching adults and children.
Ana is in great demand as a teacher and performer and she has been a regular guest teacher in Birmingham, Chester, London, Banbury, Gloucester, Bristol, Nottingham and continues to teach at Elmhurst School for Dance.
At present, Ana has started performing with her new Flamenco Dance Company, "Alma", alongside 'Felipe de Algeciras' one of the best Flamenco performers of our time. Ana currently tours Europe performing and giving workshops both in England and Abroad.
We are delighted to have Miss Garcia teaching for our Academy. |
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Wai Sum Chong: Pianist |
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Waui Sum is a fully qualified Pianist for Dance and has worked with major ballet companies.
Conservatoire trained in solo piano performance and accompaniment qualifying with Distinction.
Wai Sum has been awarded with many Bursaries, Scholarships and Prizes: Ian D Watt Prize, Rsams Trust Scholarship Prize and the Piano Accompainment Prize to name a few.......
Wai Sum has been selected for and worked with New Adventures:Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, Mark Morris Dance Group, Elmhurst School for Dance and continues to work for The Birmingham Royal Ballet Company. She is currently the Musical Director of Midland Theatre Ballet Company held at Birmingham Royal Ballet.
We are delighted to have Wai Sum join our Dance Academy; Playing for our Dance Academy Summer School and our Royal Academy of Dance Examination Classical ballet classes. |
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Ian Richards – Pianist |
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Ian Richards is a graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire. He has worked extensively as an opera repetiteur and vocal coach and directed many musicals. Ian is in much demand as a pianist for dance as he is experienced in the nuances of accompaniment for classical ballet classes.
Ian works with Birmingham Royal Ballet's dance track programme department for learning on a regular basis, accompanying both technique and creative workshops for all ages, he also sometimes accompanies company class.
Ian plays for The Royal Academy of Dance Challengenee classical ballet competition held at Birmingham Royal Ballet, Royal Academy of Dance Associate Classes, Elmhurst School for Dance summer schools and The Royal Ballet Associate Programme held at Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Mr Richards is a truly inspirational pianist for ballet. We are delighted to have Ian play for our Intermediate Royal Academy of Dance classical ballet class and our Repertoire/Pointe work classical ballet class.
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Siobhan Collins-McCarthy
Dance Academy
The Moorpool Hall
The Circle
Harborne
Birmingham
West Midlands
B17 9DY
Mobile: 0789 631 5199
Email: enquiries@ballet-birmingham.com |
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