This year’s Summer School took place at the end of July for 4 full days at the Grafton Dance Centre, using all the facilities, studios & outdoor garden. There were lots of dance styles for the students to learn, finishing with a performance for the parents on the Thursday afternoon.
Miss Hodge, Miss Lucy & Miss Flora were on hand to teach & Paul Burbedge gave the students the chance to learn Latin/Ballroom dance. Great fun was had by all.
The date of our next Summer School is Monday 29th July – Thursday 1st August 2024
Guest Teachers
Ben Mundy
Ben Mundy is a professional performer with a career of working in musical theatre in London’s West End, on Number 1 UK Tours, Regional Theatre and overseas. Ben was the Dance Captain of the South African production of ‘ANNIE’, also appearing in the West End Revival and International productions.
He was also in the International touring company of ‘CATS’ before being asked to join the West End Revival company at The London Palladium. His two workshops during the week will consist of a jazz class and the choreography for ‘IT’S THE HARD KNOCK LIFE’ in the style of the musical ‘ANNIE’ for the young students. For the older students, the choreography will be for ‘THE JELLICLE BALL’ in the style of the musical ‘CATS’.
Lisa-Dee Morehen
Lisa-Dee Morehen, who will be joining the team of teachers at DBS in September, is a qualified Royal Academy of Dance Certified Teacher (CBTS) with extensive teaching experience over the last four years. She is also a certified Full Comprehensive Pilates Instructor and a certified Total Barre Instructor.
With her passion for the mechanics of movement Lisa also holds vast experience in the functional training space as well as Rehabilitation based training. Professionally Lisa has had a well-rounded career as a ballerina, having started at the young age of 3 years old. She has achieved RAD Advanced 2 as well as Solo Seal and represented the South African Ballet Company (SABT) including the Academy for seven years. Lisa’s primary focus is now based on teaching as well as compiling choreography.
Daisy Smalley-Nicholson
Daisy Smalley-Nicholson, who will be joining the team of DBS in September, is a graduate from Performers College with a level 6 Trinity College Diploma in Musical Theatre. She achieved her DDI qualifications in Modern and Tap alongside her Trinity College Diploma and is currently taking her DDE Modern and Tap ISTD teaching qualifications. Since graduating she has worked as a performer in a variety of venues.
However, having discovered a passion for teaching, dance, drama and musical theatre, whilst working with children in primary schools and dance schools, she has decided to focus on teaching as a career. She is currently also teaching for The Betty Wivell Academy of Performing Arts and Karen Forbes School of Dance.
Hannah Wallace
Hannah Wallace, who will be teaching Contemporary Dance at DBS in September, is an ex pupil and has recently completed her BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, achieving a first. She has studied for a term in Valencia, Spain at the Conservatoirio Superior de Danza de Valencia.
She has performed work by Tara D’Arquian and Stephanie Schober, as well as repertoire by Merce Cunningham and has been involved in restating his work in collaboration with students from Juilliard. Hannah has been awarded the Trinity Laban Innovation Award to carry out her own project next year.